Steffanie Fain represents King County Council District 5, which includes SeaTac, Des Moines, Normandy Park, and parts of Kent, Renton, and Tukwila. She was sworn into office on November 25, 2025, and is the first Korean American to serve on the King County Council and the first Asian American in nearly 40 years.

A longtime South King County resident, Steffanie has focused her first term on the issues she hears most about from residents: affordability, public safety, transportation, housing stability, and making sure county government delivers services effectively and responsibly.

County and Regional Leadership

Steffanie chairs the Council’s Transportation, Economy and Environment Committee, which oversees Metro transit, economic development, solid waste, wastewater, parks and open space, climate, and other environmental policy. She also chairs the Regional Transit Committee, bringing together King County and city leaders to oversee countywide Metro policies and long-range transit planning.

She serves as Vice Chair of the Government Accountability and Oversight Committee, and as a member of the Budget and Fiscal Management and Health, Housing and Human Services Committees.

Steffanie also represents King County on a number of regional boards responsible for some of the region’s largest investments and most complex challenges. She serves on the Sound Transit Board of Directors, the King County Regional Homelessness Authority Governing Board, the Puget Sound Regional Council Transportation Policy Board, the King County Flood Control District Board of Supervisors and Executive Committee and is Vice Chair of the King County Transportation District.

Delivering for South King County

In her first year on the Council, Steffanie has worked to ensure South King County receives its fair share of regional investment while keeping affordability and accountability at the center of county decisions.

Improving transportation connections. Steffanie helped secure Sound Transit’s commitment to fully fund the long-planned Renton Transit Center parking garage and supported efforts to advance the Boeing Access Road Station, improve transit access in North Tukwila, and expand Sounder service. She has also supported expanded Metro service in South King County and better east-west connections across District 5.

Bringing transportation dollars back to local cities. Steffanie advanced the countywide City Transportation Improvement Program (CTIP), which provides approximately $12.5 million annually to cities for local transportation investments and creates a new way to address transportation needs that cross city boundaries. District 5 cities will be eligible to receive approximately $2 million each year.

Investing directly in District 5 communities. In 2026, Steffanie’s office made County grant funding available to local nonprofits and community organizations addressing food security, health and human services, community programs, and other local needs. She has focused on making these funds accessible to smaller, newer, and immigrant-led organizations while requiring recipients to clearly explain how public dollars will be spent and how District 5 residents will benefit.

Reducing local flood risks. Through the King County Flood Control District, Steffanie supported $1.7 million for four flood-reduction projects in Kent, Renton, Des Moines, and South King County. These investments address flooding, drainage, waterway restoration, and infrastructure needs that can fall outside the Flood Control District’s major capital program.

Keeping affordability part of County decisions. With families paying more for housing, utilities, transportation, and everyday expenses, Steffanie has pushed for greater scrutiny of rate and tax increases. Her work has included strengthening oversight of wastewater and solid waste rate increases and requiring additional information on costs, financial performance, and affordability before future rate decisions.

Strengthening accountability in the homelessness system. Following significant financial and management concerns at the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, Steffanie co-sponsored legislation unanimously approved by the Council directing a comprehensive review of the agency and options for reform while prioritizing continuity of services for people experiencing homelessness.

Strengthening flood protection in the Green River Valley. Following the historic December 2025 flooding, Steffanie co-sponsored action directing a comprehensive study of how Howard Hanson Dam operations affected downstream communities in the Green River Valley. The goal is to improve transparency, emergency planning, and protection of homes, businesses, farms, and infrastructure before the next major flood.Across these issues, Steffanie’s approach is grounded in a straightforward expectation: residents should be able to understand what government is spending, what it is trying to accomplish, and whether it is delivering results.

Prior Professional Experience

Before joining the Council, Steffanie practiced civil litigation, business, healthcare, and employment law for 15 years. She was recognized by her peers as a “Rising Star” from 2017 to 2020 and as a “Super Lawyer” from 2021 through 2025.

Steffanie earned her J.D. with honors from Seattle University and served as a judicial extern at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.

She represented South King County on the Harborview Medical Center Board of Trustees for more than a decade, including five terms as President. In that role, she helped oversee the region’s largest public hospital and a $1.7 billion budget, with a focus on fiscal stewardship, access to healthcare, and Harborview’s long-term sustainability. As President, she also served on the UW Medicine Advisory Board, advising on strategy, finance, and sustainability across UW Medicine.

Steffanie previously served on the board of Trillium Employment Services, which supports employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Community and Personal Background

Steffanie is a second-generation Korean American who has lived in South King County for nearly two decades. She is a breast cancer survivor, disability advocate, former youth sports coach, and parent.

She lives in Normandy Park with her husband, Joe, and their two sons.