Several Whatcom County residents have recently thrown their hats in the ring for a chance to represent the 42nd Legislative District.
Bellingham Democrat Eamonn Collins announced Feb. 24 that he would run for state Senate. Collins is chair of the Whatcom Democrats, a science teacher at the Lummi Nation School and vice president of Kulshan Community Land Trust. He previously spent five years as a senior education policy adviser in the U.S. House and Senate.
Collins is campaigning on affordability and tax fairness, affordable housing, and keeping Whatcom County “proactive in the face of federal volatility,” according to a press release announcing his campaign.
Collins is looking to fill a vacancy left by Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham), who announced in December that she would not run for a third term. He followed candidacy announcements from Port of Bellingham Commissioner Michael Shepard, a Bellingham Democrat, and Blaine School Board Member Erika Creydt, a Blaine Republican. Ryan Bowman also registered to run, though he didn’t list a party, according to his filing with the Public Disclosure Commission.
Also on Feb. 24, Justin Pike, a Ferndale Republican and detective at the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, announced he would challenge incumbent Joe Timmons (D-Bellingham) for the State Representative Pos. 2 seat in the 42nd Legislative District.
Pike has spent his career in the military and law enforcement, and said those experiences helping people in need motivated him to run, according to his announcement. His campaign focuses on affordability, behavioral health and supporting small businesses.
PDC filings show the other 42nd district representative seat, held by Blaine Democrat Alicia Rule, remains unchallenged.
