Whatcom County

Barry Buchanan is a solid progressive currently in his first term on the Whatcom County Council. He formerly represented District 1 and is currently running for the at-large position in the new redistricted map. Buchanan is a chair of the county council, a veteran of the Navy, and a former councilmember on the Bellingham City Council. So far in office, Buchanan has worked on banning fracking in the county and fighting the massive coal export terminal proposed in Whatcom County. His campaign is focused on the environment and protecting human rights. His opponent, real estate broker Mary Kay Robinson, seeks to cut regulations on business and agriculture. Buchanan is the best choice in this race.

Rud Browne is the current at-large incumbent on the Whatcom County Council and is now running for the new District 1 position. Since his election to the council in 2013, Browne has cemented his reputation as an environmentalist. Browne is the founder of Ryzex, an eco-friendly company and one of Whatcom’s largest employers. He was integral in starting the “Towards Zero Waste” campaign that encouraged businesses and schools to reduce unnecessary waste. His campaign is focused on protecting the environment regardless of destructive federal policy, as well as affordable housing, water management, and working around the state budget crisis.

Browne's opponent, Philip Morgan, is not running a competitive race. He has stated that he wants to lift the moratorium on Cherry Point fossil fuel exports and lessen restrictions on permitting. Browne is the best candidate and has earned another term on the Whatcom County Council.

Progressive Todd Donovan is the incumbent in the current District 1 seat, and is now running for Position 2. Donovan wants to clean up Lake Whatcom and restore native vegetation. He is a solid environmental leader who supports public transit, equal park access, and who voted no on the coal export terminal. We hope he will reevaluate the proposal for a costly new jail and support jail alternatives and funding for mental health and drug addiction treatment.

Donovan is facing progressive Amy Glasser. As a mental health professional, Glasser resists the structure of the current jail system as a means to house people with mental illnesses and people struggling with substance abuse. We believe Donovan is the best choice in this race because of his track record in office and support from progressive organizations.

Rebecca Boonstra is running in the newly established District 3. She is the Executive Director of the Mt. Baker Chamber of Commerce and was elected to the Board of Commissioners of the Columbia Valley Parks and Recreation District. Boonstra also worked in the visitor center in Maple Falls for a decade and wants to increase access to its natural areas while protecting the natural environment. She wants to give a voice to those who are often shut out of council decisions and county government.

Boonstra is running against conservative candidate Tyler Byrd, who doesn't share her committment to protecting the environment for future generations against the fossil fuel industry at Cherry Point. Boonstra is the progressive choice in this race.

Micheal Shepard is running for Port of Bellingham Commissioner Position 1. Shepard is a progressive environmental advocate with the skills and drive to bring meaningful change to the Port of Bellingham. He recognizes the need to balance job growth and business development with pragmatic solutions for safeguarding the natural treasures of the Port of Bellingham.

Shepard is running against incumbent Dan Robbins, who is not a strong supporter of environmental protections or workers' rights. Shepard is best choice in this race.

Berry Wenger is running for Port of Bellingham Commissioner Position 2. As a former union member and organizer, he values job creation and workers' rights. He aims to pursue projects that will restore the shoreline and invest in the community. Wenger is committed to balancing sustainable growth and environmental restoration.

Wenger is running against Republican Ken Bell, who is running a conservative pro-business campaign. For his progressive vision, Barry Wenger is best choice in this race.

Gene Knutson is running unopposed for re-election for the Bellingham City Council Ward 2 position. First elected to the position in 1994, Knutson is the longest serving city council member. Knutson values the Bellingham community, yet his ongoing support for the new Whatcom County Jail does not align with our progressive values.

Pinky Vargas is running unopposed for re-election to the Bellingham City Council, Ward 4. Vargas has served on the council since 2014 and has held several positions including city council president, chair of the Community and Economic Development Committee, and chair of the Lodging Tax Allocation Committee. Vargas is focused on social and gender justice, natural preservation, environmental protection, housing, and supporting local businesses.

Bellingham City Council president Michael Lilliquist is running for a third term on the council. In his eight years, Lilliquist has championed causes like keeping a "hands off" policy for federal immigration enforcement and encouraging affordable, low-income housing. He supports tax equity, restoring the Lake Whatcom reservoir, housing affordability, and avoiding development sprawl. His opponent, Quenby Peterson, serves on the Bellingham School Board, but is not running a competitive campaign.

Lilliquist is the best choice in this race.

Elected in 2013, Roxanne Murphy of the Nooksack Tribe was the first Native American to join the Bellingham City Council. She has spent her first term focusing on issues of equity and the environment. Murphy has proposed a requirement for paid sick leave for Bellingham businesses, opposed the Cherry Point coal terminal, and led the resolution for supporting the Sioux tribes fighting the Dakota Access Pipeline. Murphy is the Youth Director for the Nooksack and serves on the Whatcom Transportation Authority.

Murphy is running against Eric Bostrom, a Trump-supporting conservative. Murphy's experience and track record on the council make her the best choice in this race.