FAQs - Myth vs Fact
1. Myth: Julie wants to see a lot more housing density.
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FALSE
Fact: Julie wants Mercer Island to remain compliant with state mandates, to ensure we don't lose control of decision making to the state. Julie believes our community should find ways to create housing options for Island seniors (empty nesters who cannot downsize because they can't find a home to match their stage of life) and for young people looking to return to the island but aren't able to afford a starter home. Of our candidates, Julie is the only one who has been an outspoken advocate for our Mercer Island senior population.
2. Myth: Julie would support a low-barrier shelter on Mercer Island
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FALSE
Fact: Julie has never once said she would support a low-barrier shelter on MI. She believes in fostering better regional partnerships with our neighboring cities so we can collaboratively meet the needs of the homeless community where they are, to best use regional resources. She also has said MI Youth and Family Services need our full support as their programs work to prevent homelessness for Islanders with food and rent assistance.
3. Myth: Julie is just going to be a mouthpiece for the 41st Dems.
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FALSE
Fact: This is a non-partisan race and many organizations evaluate candidates and endorse their chosen candidate. Julie has been endorsed by many organizations from business to advocacy groups after they compared candidates. The broad range of her support evidences her ability to collaborate & represent the interests of MI.​ Julie is the best candidate to represent Islanders and advocate for Mercer Island values at the regional and state levels.
4. Myth: Julie has ties to builders/developers
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FALSE
Fact: Julie does not have personal ties to developers. Her parents, like many, may invest in real estate, but they are not builders or developers. Her parents are the owners of the Hsieh Investments WA entities, which are held by her parents and in trusts, of which her Dad is the trustee. So these entities were not disclosed in her PDC F1. The only entity where she has partial ownership is Hsieh Investments Texas, LP, and that is disclosed in her F1. The opposition filed a PDC complaint regarding her F1 in June 2025 and the case was closed months before the election date.
5. Myth: Julie intentionally hid her husband's company and its income
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FALSE
Fact: Julie’s husband David started a company called YOPEY YOPEY LLC in 2013 that developed casual games and provided consulting services. Since 2023, David started working fulltime for startups, and his company ceased operations and generated no revenue. When they later filed the PDC paperwork, they inadvertently omitted the inactive company with no income during the reporting period. Once the oversight was identified, they promptly amended the filings. The company has since been formally dissolved, though its games remain freely available at https://yopeyopey.com.