Area voters got a jolt in their mailboxes this week — a campaign flyer from Rep. Edwin Obras (D-33rd District) accusing Burien Mayor Kevin Schilling of being “the worst mayor in the state on police staffing,” marking one of the most pointed disputes yet in the hotly contested 33rd District race.
Schilling – who has served as Burien Mayor since 2024 – is running against Rep. Edwin Obras and Darryl Jones for the 33rd Legislative District seat, which includes parts of Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, SeaTac, Kent, and Tukwila. Obras, a political newcomer, was appointed earlier this year after Rep. Tina Orwall resigned to replace retiring Sen. Karen Keiser in the state Senate.
Now, just months into his tenure, Obras faces his first election as Schilling and Jones seek to unseat him in what is shaping up to be one of South King County’s most closely watched legislative races.
The mailer has become a flashpoint in a primary race where public safety policy is taking center stage.
About the Mailer
The direct mail piece asserts that Burien ranks last in King County for police staffing, with just 0.88 commissioned officers per 1,000 residents – a figure the mailer contrasts sharply with broader benchmarks. According to the data cited, that rate falls significantly below both the Washington state average of approximately 1.35 officers per 1,000 people and the national average of around 2.3 officers per 1,000.
The mailer presents this statistic as evidence of what it calls a failure in local leadership (i.e.: Schilling), framing the staffing gap as a public safety issue and a central argument for change. The mailer also includes citations for the figures from previous B-Town Blog news articles.
Burien contracts with the King County Sheriff’s Office for police services, meaning the city does not directly hire officers but instead funds staffing levels through its agreement with the Sheriff’s Office.
Obras told The B-Town Blog that the mailer was created by his campaign team “that includes myself, my campaign manager and my consultants. We work collaboratively to get our message out.”
When asked if he thought Schilling personally caused or failed to improve Burien’s police staffing levels, Obras said:
“Yes or I wouldn’t have sent the mailer. Mayor Schilling was elected in 2019. Nothing happened to improve police staffing in 2020, in 2021, in 2022, and in 2023. That’s not leadership.”
Schilling Responds
Schilling strongly rejected the mailer’s premise, responding to The B‑Town Blog with the following statement:
“Public safety isn’t a slogan—it’s a responsibility I’ve delivered on as Mayor of Burien and one I’ll continue to prioritize as your next State Representative. Since January 2024, police staffing has only gone up—from 72% to 85%—matching every other city that contracts with the King County Sheriff’s Office. But Burien isn’t just any city—we’re the busiest contract city in the county, and I’ve led the fight to ensure our real needs aren’t ignored. We can’t trust the same old out of touch politicians making ideological decisions on public safety.
“While Olympia passed HB 2015 allowing cities to raise local sales tax for public safety, it gives Burien just $12,800 a year—barely enough to make a dent. My opponent thinks that’s sufficient. I don’t. I know cities need real resources, not empty gestures. That’s why I’ve consistently called for more tools to keep our communities safe—not more unfunded mandates from the state.
“That record is why I’m the only candidate in this race endorsed by the Law Enforcement Administrators of Washington and the King County Police Officers Guild. I’m also backed by mayors across South King County and The Seattle Times, which praised my push for a co-responder model that pairs police with mental health professionals. Public safety requires serious leadership. I’ve delivered it—and I’ll do the same in Olympia.”
Now running to keep the seat he was appointed to earlier this year, Obras told The B-Town Blog that the mailer is meant to highlight what he sees as a multi-year failure in public safety leadership under Burien Mayor Schilling.
Obras also highlighted his role supporting House Bill 2015, which created a $100 million grant fund over two years to help local governments hire and retain officers.
The mailer drew swift condemnation from Schilling’s allies and pro-law enforcement groups.
Normandy Park Mayor Chimes In
Normandy Park Mayor Eric Zimmerman, a supporter of Schilling, sharply criticized the mailer from Obras’ campaign, calling it “intentionally misleading.”
“The Obras campaign knowingly misrepresents Kevin Schilling’s record, despite his clear leadership on public safety and his role in Burien’s legally upheld efforts to address drug use and encampments in public spaces,” Zimmerman said in a statement to The B-Town Blog. “They also ignore the fact that Kevin is endorsed by the very sheriffs they imply oppose him, along with a majority of South King County mayors.”
Zimmerman pointed to Schilling’s broad support, including an endorsement from The Seattle Times, as evidence of the mayor’s credibility, while noting that Obras has received limited backing from local elected officials.
He further argued that Obras aligns with “activist politicians” who have weakened public safety policy statewide, contributing to Washington’s low police staffing rates. “That makes Rep. Obras and his allies more responsible for the issues raised in his own mailer than Kevin Schilling,” Zimmerman said.
Calling the mailer an example of “cynical” political tactics, Zimmerman urged Obras to “retract and disavow” his claim and commit to what he called more honest campaigning.
“Voters in the 33rd District deserve facts, not spin — and they increasingly want pragmatism over political theater,” he added.
Law Enforcement Group Criticizes Obras’ Record
The Law Enforcement Administrators of Washington (LEAW), a privately funded and operated non-profit association of law enforcement executives, has endorsed Schilling and criticized Obras’ public safety record and campaign messaging in a statement shared with The B-Town Blog.
“Rep. Obras claims to support law enforcement, but his actions in Olympia tell a different story,” the group said. “He voted for nearly every anti-public safety bill in the House Community Safety Committee and never met with our representatives during the 105-day session, despite repeated requests.”
LEAW also pointed to Obras’ support for House Bill 1125, a resentencing bill they say could lead to early release for violent offenders.
“More than 50 percent of those eligible had committed homicide in the first year alone,” the group stated, citing a letter from the Superior Court Judges Association.
On HB 2015, Obras’ signature public safety bill, the group argued that it “allowed $100 million in funding to be used without requiring the hiring of a single new officer.”
“Public safety takes more than slogans and campaign mailers,” the group concluded. “Kevin Schilling has consistently stood up for law enforcement—and that’s why we stand with him.”
Obras Defends His Messaging
In response to criticism from the LEAW, Obras noted that the group has already endorsed Schilling and said their claims should be “taken with a grain of salt.”
Obras defended his legislative record and emphasized his willingness to engage with law enforcement groups.
Obras has secured endorsements from several prominent Democratic leaders and progressive organizations, including Sen. Tina Orwall, House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon, and Rep. Mia Gregerson. He is also backed by local officials such as SeaTac Mayor Mohamed Egal, Burien Deputy Mayor Sarah Moore, and King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay. Labor and advocacy groups supporting Obras include the Washington State Labor Council, SEIU Local 925, Washington Conservation Action, and Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates.
“I’ve been in office for seven months and am actively working to meet with all constituent organizations,” he said. “My door is open.”
He also pushed back on LEAW’s criticism of HB 1125, calling their characterization “a gross misrepresentation.”
“HB 1125 allows a narrow group of individuals — such as those who were juveniles at the time of their offense or who are terminally ill — to petition a court for resentencing,” Obras said. “It does not automatically release anyone.”
Obras also disputed LEAW’s claims about House Bill 2015, which he supported.
“The idea that it wouldn’t result in the hiring of officers contradicts the bill’s stated purpose,” he said. “This kind of disingenuous framing is exactly what erodes trust in public safety conversations.”
In defending the sharp tone of his campaign mailer, Obras said his goal is to move beyond what he called “optics and grandstanding” and push for real solutions to issues like crime, homelessness and affordability.
“Voters deserve honesty. Sometimes the truth can be uncomfortable,” he told The B-Town Blog. “But for too long, the Puget Sound has become increasingly unaffordable, the homeless population has spiked and the quality of life has suffered.”
Obras said he stands by calling Schilling “the worst mayor in the state on police staffing,” citing what he called years of inaction since Schilling was first elected in 2019.
As for critics who see his mailer as unfair or overly negative, Obras pointed to what he described as the broader reality of worsening public safety, homelessness, and affordability in the region.
“Elected leaders need to reflect that reality. We can’t let politicians get away with optics and grandstanding when there is real work to be done. The mailer reflects that reality,” he said.
Let’s drill down on Schilling’s endorsements from law enforcement groups.
Law Enforcement Administrators of Washington (LAW)
This is an organization that seems to exist for boosting their “sponsors” as well as putting their thumbs on the scales of the democratic process.(See the home page for the NASCAR-style logo fest.)
Chairman John Snaza is a former Thurston County Sheriff who faced a recall campaign over his COVID denialism and refusal to uphold state law during the pandemic. He also ran as a Republican for the Washington State Legislature.
LAW Secretary former Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict opposed the 2018 firearms Initiative 1639, which enacted a number of common-sense gun reforms. Benedict was also endorsed by Republicans when he ran for Sheriff in 2108.
King County Police Officers Guild
Prominent pages on their website include one advocating against making the Sheriff an appointed position, as well as an unhinged and unprofessional screed against a Seattle Times journalist. The writer of that letter, Bob Lurry, a Guild official, also made light of a KCSO deputy putting pepper spray on a homeless person’s water bottle in 2017.
Voters should recognize that police officers unions are typically run by the most reactionary and authoritarian members of their forces (see also the many cowboys who represent the SPOG). An endorsement from this group should be seen as a negative, unless you are in favor of unaccountable and uncontrollable police.
Based on Schilling’s words and actions during his time on the Burien City Council, it’s my belief that in almost any area other than greater Seattle, he’d run with an “R” after his name. He is a standard pro-business, “law and order” Republican. Yes, he’s not a MAGA crazy, but I think we can do better.
This flyer is pure nonsense, if you are actually paying attention to the efforts of our Mayor, City Manager and five of seven Council members you would know it’s just a hit piece. And, since when does the Mayor dictate policies, funding and contractual staffing of Police officers to serve Burien. Looking at Obras’s endorsements reads like why everything is wrong with Leftist policy, and of course why everything’s a hot mess from the current State leadership. The groups backing him are just buying favors to push more failed Progressive ideals and the City, County and State show that damage.
Schilling has been an absolute failure as mayor, and you can only expect more failure in the house if you elect him.
You have to screw up pretty bad as a leader to get a letter of no confidence from your police.
I’m more concerned with his favoritism toward wealthy donors. That’s the sort of corruption that doesn’t belong in the Democratic Party.
Obras is the only reasonable choice here.
Based on RickB’s comments, and this articles reference of Obras’ support for a law that allows violent juveniles to seek early release, myself as a former prosecutor, i am confident that Mayor Schilling is the stronger law and enforcement candidate of the two. Read between the lines, Obras supports early release of violent criminals and RickB highlights the radical leftist paranoia on pro law enforcement policies. Mayor Schilling has my vote and in fact, i am now inspired to campaign for him. Obras is misleading the constituents and clearly not going to reduce the lawlessness and violence he seeks to take advantage of in his misleading mailers.
Slinging mud..
Let’s be clear: Burien does not operate its own police department. The city contracts with the King County Sheriff’s Office, meaning staffing levels are determined through negotiations with the County — not unilaterally by the Mayor of Burien. Obras either doesn’t know this, or he’s deliberately misleading voters. Either way, that should concern all of us. Not to mention the direct oversight/control from KC over its officers which we saw during the recent homeless uproars against Burien.
Mayor Schilling has consistently advocated for public safety improvements within the real-world constraints of city governance. Under his leadership:
-Burien increased its public safety budget.
-The city funded additional officer positions in its contract with the Sheriff’s Office.
– Schilling helped launch new community-based programs to address crime prevention, youth outreach, and behavioral health responses — strategies that go beyond simply adding badges and actually get results.
What’s more, Edwin Obras has never been elected to any office. He was appointed just months ago — and now he’s attacking someone who has spent years making tough decisions for the city he serves.
Let’s not forget: Obras has never had to balance a budget, face a room full of angry constituents, or negotiate with a county sheriff’s office for more patrols. But he’s quick to criticize those who’ve actually done the work. And chose to send out this mailer to make himself a better choice in some way?? LoL
Thank you Terry B, Jamien Kango and Louis G I couldn’t have said it better…well no I couldn’t so thank you again!
I feel safer now in the three years that we have lived in Burien because of Mayor Kevin Schilling’s leadership. If you don’t know what we have been through in Town Square, please don’t lecture me about public safety. As they say, “The proof is in the pudding.”This was a sad attempt by a candidate with no platform.
Action speaks, not words Edwin Obras… you’ve now spread lies and fabricated nonsense. A fool’s step early in running.. Bad move – learn to play chess.
Wait till “your truths” come out.. that will be a real smear campaign.
It was a stupid, unnecessary hit piece that did a disservice to the originator.
I don’t like hit pieces and I’m saddened that Obras decided to send this out. However, there are some statements that need to be clarified.
Schilling is endorsed by the Law Enforcement Administrators of Washington, a union for police officers that support those who are willing to put money into hiring more police. Burien has a contract with the King County Sheriff’s office, which means that they get police officers in the contract. Unfortunately, there just AREN’T enough officers from KCSO for Burien, and we are running at under capacity. Schilling is putting a levy on the ballot to gather money for police officers (at an incredibly high rate that isn’t necessary) but that won’t make a difference if KCSO DOESN’T HAVE THE OFFICERS.
HB 1125 hasn’t been passed yet. And it is about re-sentencing people who have been convicted when legal errors have been found, or when the sentence does not advance the interests of justice. There are clearly too many who have responded to this post without actually having READ the bill itself.
https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1125&Year=2025&Initiative=false
This “hit piece” is really unnecessary and those who are interested in finding out which candidate is the better should be looking at factual information available online.