Ahead of this year’s general election on Nov. 3, The Northern Light asked candidates to submit written responses to five questions: Why are you running for this position? What experience do you bring to this position? What is the single biggest challenge facing the candidate elected to this position? What will you do to address this? What sets you apart from the other candidate?
The candidates’ responses to the questions can be found below. Their responses have not been edited, aside from minor style changes and spelling mistakes.
A condensed version was featured in the Oct. 29 print issue of The Northern Light, and can be found online.
Rick Larsen
Rick Larsen (prefers Democratic party)
Why are you running for this position?
I am running for the Second District seat in Congress to fight to lower costs, bring investments home to Northwest Washington, hold the administration & ICE accountable, combat fentanyl in our communities, protect reproductive freedom, build an economy that works for everyone, increase access to health care, and support our veterans.
I understand the challenges ahead of us and believe my record is the right fit for this district, and I am ready to keep delivering for Northwest Washington.
What experience do you bring to this position?
Throughout my time in Congress, I have been committed to delivering real results for Northwest Washington. Over the past two years, I have helped bring federal investments home to feed hungry families, improve transportation and infrastructure needs, connect communities, assist with mitigating and recovering from floods, invest in and support local law enforcement, provide additional support and resources for education, deliver investments for economic development, and support our senior citizens. I am committed to delivering for the residents of Northwest Washington and will continue to advocate for these critical resources for our community.
What is the single biggest challenge facing the candidate elected to this position?
Prices are too high for groceries, health care, child care, housing, gas, and energy. Our economy should work for everyone, but right now, too many hard-working people are struggling to make ends meet and cannot cover basic needs.
What will you do to address this?
For housing, we need to increase the supply of affordable homes, support first-time homebuyers and renters, strengthen housing tax incentives, and invest in local infrastructure so communities can build the housing they need.
For groceries, and gas, I oppose policies that raise prices on families. I support repealing the tariffs that are keeping prices high and ending the Iran war immediately.
For health care and child care, I support protecting and expanding the Affordable Care Act, extending premium tax credits, lowering prescription drug costs, protecting Medicaid and Medicare, preserving telehealth access, supporting hospitals and providers that serve rural and underserved communities, and expanding access to affordable child care so working families can succeed. I have fought against efforts that would raise costs or cut coverage for people in this district, and I will keep working to make health care fit families’ budgets and for affordable child care.
What sets you apart from the other candidate?
My unique qualifications include a deep knowledge of the district, with family roots here going back more than a century; an understanding of family and our community as the son of a Snohomish County PUD lineman and proud union member and a stay-at-home mom who devoted themselves to raising eight children; experience as a local elected official that shaped my understanding of how government decisions affect people’s daily lives; and long service in the U.S. House where I have worked side-by-side with local families, workers, veterans, business owners, tribal communities and local leaders to solve problems and deliver results.
That work includes expanding access to affordable health care, investing in transportation and infrastructure, protecting voting rights, supporting local jobs and skills training, and bringing federal resources home to the district.
Edwin Feller
Edwin Feller (prefers Republican party)
Why are you running for this position?
Somebody needed to oppose Rick Larsen.
What experience do you bring to this position?
I am a retired HVAC contractor. I have 61 years in the trade. Fifteen years overseas working in embassies and consultants. Worked in 60 countries. I have seen a lot of problems that I could help to solve.
What is the single biggest challenge facing the candidate elected to this position?
Get the undocumented immigrants under control. They are a drain on our economy, health care, schools and welfare.
What will you do to address this?
More ICE agents.
What sets you apart from the other candidate?
I am not a politician who worked to keep the business end working. I had seen how corrupt our government has been overseas.
Erika Creydt
Erika Creydt (prefers Republican party)
Why are you running for this position?
I’ve lived in Blaine all my life, I’m a mom and a clinical psychologist who works with kids, Veterans and families every day. In my practice I hear the struggles: parents working hard and still falling behind, young people who can’t picture a future here, people waiting months for care. Too often, decisions made in Olympia make life here more expensive without making it better. I’m running because north Whatcom County deserves a senator who understands the lived experience and will be a voice for our community.
What experience do you bring to this position?
I founded TouchStone Counseling Group, with offices in Blaine and Everson, so I know what it takes to hire staff, make payroll, and keep the doors open in a high-cost state. As a clinical psychologist specializing in youth mental health, I’ve seen where our healthcare and school systems fall short. As a Blaine School Board director, I’ve done the unglamorous work of reading budgets, asking hard questions and making tough calls with limited dollars. Small business, healthcare and education are the issues the Senate decides, and I’ve worked in all three.
What is the single biggest challenge facing the candidate elected to this position?
Affordability. Zillow reports the median home price in Whatcom County is about $607,000, more than seven times the county’s median household income as reported by the Census Bureau. That puts homeownership out of reach for essential workers like teachers, nurses and law enforcement. The cost of groceries, gas, child care and taxes keeps climbing, and this year Olympia passed a new state income tax instead of reining in spending. In our border communities, fewer Canadian visitors have added strain on small businesses that are already struggling. If working households can’t afford to live here, we lose the people who make this place work.
What will you do to address this?
I’ll oppose new taxes and regulations that drive up the cost of living. I’ll push Olympia to review every line of the budget, cut programs that aren’t working, and protect the ones our community depends on, especially education and healthcare. Education dollars need to reach the kids in the classroom, and we need to increase access to healthcare so patients can get care when they need it. To bring down housing costs, I’ll work to cut permitting delays and unnecessary regulations, and prioritize the water, sewer and road infrastructure new homes depend on. And I’ll support incentives that attract living-wage employers to Whatcom County while making it easier for local businesses to grow.
What sets you apart from the other candidate?
I’m the only candidate in this race from north Whatcom County, and I’ve built my businesses here. I’m not a career politician. I’m a psychologist, a small-business owner and a school board member who has spent her career listening to people and solving problems. I understand the issues in our district and will make sure our community has a voice in Olympia.
Michael Shepard
Photo by TIFFANY BROOKS
Michael Alvarez Shepard (prefers Democratic party)
Why are you running for this position?
I am running for State Senate because like so many others in our area, I recognize that the cost of living in Whatcom County is out of control. As a father, it is increasingly difficult to balance the cost of housing, healthcare, gas, groceries, and more for my family.
We need a comprehensive, long-term plan at the state level to address our cost of living, and I’m confident my experience has prepared me to take a lead on that solution in the legislature.
What experience do you bring to this position?
I have served as a Commissioner at the Port of Bellingham for three terms (eight years). At the port, I’ve worked extensively with our local government, business, and tribes to provide economic development programs for the region.
I’ve also secured affordable housing, a climate action plan, renewable energy sources, and family-wage jobs. I believe this hands-on experience with the issues facing our community has prepared me for service in our Senate. In Blaine, the port invests in the local economy by supporting our marine trades workforce in Blaine Harbor.
What is the single biggest challenge facing the candidate elected to this position?
I think the biggest challenge facing not just the 42nd District, but all of Washington, is how to meaningfully address our affordability crisis. This crisis has gotten dramatically worse with rising costs due to tariffs, the war in Iran, and the major drop in Canadian cross-border traffic.
What will you do to address this?
We need meaningful action at the state level across several sectors to credibly help the cost of living issues our residents face. Addressing affordability starts with investing in economic development so that we have well-paying jobs to support local families. Additionally, I will work to address our high cost of housing, healthcare, and childcare. That means additional construction of housing, with more efficient timelines for construction. It means greater state support for education and healthcare to help parents provide for their children. It means economic development programs that provide stable, family-wage jobs that enable wages to rise faster than inflation.
What sets you apart from the other candidate?
I believe my elected experience at the port, as well as my time as an educator at Western Washington University, has provided me with a unique blend of experience on the issues most relevant to our community. Over 40 labor unions, business associations, environmental organizations, and other groups have endorsed my campaign. This includes teachers, firefighters, nurses, and the Whatcom Commercial Fishing Association.
My team and I have knocked on over 20,000 doors throughout Whatcom County in the last few months. We hear similar themes. People are concerned about affordability and education. I believe I have the hands-on experience with these issues to go to Olympia and credibly contribute to solutions with action.
Alicia Rule
Alicia Rule (prefers Democratic party)
Why are you running for this position?
I’m running because Whatcom County families deserve a government that understands the pressures they face and delivers practical help. As a single mother, social worker, and small business owner, I know how hard people work to build a secure life. I want families to afford their communities, get healthcare when they need it, and feel confident their children have a future here.
What experience do you bring to this position?
I bring experience serving our community as a state representative, a clinical social worker, and a small business owner. As a social worker, I have supported families facing mental health crises, parents struggling to find care, and employers trying to keep their doors open. I bring that firsthand understanding to Olympia, along with experience turning community concerns into legislation and working across differences to solve problems.
What is the single biggest challenge facing the candidate elected to this position?
Affordability. Too many people work hard and still struggle to cover housing, groceries, childcare, and healthcare. Those pressures affect everything from a young person’s ability to stay in Whatcom County to a senior’s ability to remain in their home.
What will you do to address this?
I will focus on the costs that put the greatest strain on household budgets: housing, healthcare, and childcare. That means supporting more housing people can afford, strengthening access to local healthcare and mental health services, and helping working parents find reliable childcare. I will also scrutinize state spending and ask whether the programs we fund are delivering results people can see in their daily lives.
What sets you apart from the other candidate?
What sets me apart is the combination of experience I bring. I understand these issues as a mother raising three boys, a social worker helping people through difficult moments, a business owner responsible for jobs, and a legislator accountable to this community. I listen carefully, work across the aisle, and stay focused on what a decision will mean for the people who have to live with it.
Misty Flowers
Misty Flowers (prefers Republican party)
Why are you running for this position?
I am running for Washington State House of Representatives to bring new leadership to Olympia with the courage to propose common-sense legislation that works better for us all. I will focus on providing transparency to budget items, and will represent accountability in Government so the people know what their hard-earned taxpayer dollars are being spent on.
What experience do you bring to this position?
The experience I bring to this position includes advocacy for minorities; management of organization funds and functions; leadership skills that work with a variety of perspectives to find common ground and create solutions that work for the whole group.
What is the single biggest challenge facing the candidate elected to this position? and What will you do to address this?
The single biggest challenge facing the candidate elected is to communicate between constituents and legislators to create policies that benefit the most people. I will address this challenge by staying engaged with 42nd LD voters, bringing their concerns to Olympia, finding allies in the voting body and listen to concerns by those voting against policies that are being proposed for the people. I will research policies that are working, I will challenge policies that aren't working (financially or in results) and work for a better balance in our State Budget.
What sets you apart from the other candidate?
What sets me apart from other candidates is my experience challenging blanket government policies that harm minorities. I firmly believe that all government policies need to consider long-term consequences before being enacted. For example, when illicit drugs were made legal to use in public in Whatcom, I opposed that policy knowing it would create bigger long-term issues for our downtown businesses and our youth that frequent downtown Bellingham. We quickly saw the devastating effects of open drug use. Now years later, although it is illegal to use illicit drugs in public again, the consequences of that policy remains and we have a massive addiction crisis that is impacting our youth, our homeless neighbors, and has increased criminal activity throughout the county. Thank you for your time in putting these questions together. I would be honored to receive your vote and will work diligently to protect your constitutional rights.
Joe Timmons
Photo by TIFFANY BROOKS
Joe Timmons (prefers Democratic party)
Why are you running for this position?
My family feels the impact of rising costs just like families across Whatcom County. In my time at the legislature, I've worked to address some of the biggest challenges facing our community. I've helped secure funding for flood protection in the Nooksack watershed, behavioral health and substance use treatment facilities, and the Slater Road elevation project to improve access during flooding events. I've also supported efforts to expand housing opportunities, strengthen education, and invest in our local workforce. While we've made progress, too many families are
still struggling with the cost of housing, childcare, healthcare, and everyday expenses. I'm running for re-election to build on this work by investing in the infrastructure and services that Whatcom County residents rely on.
What experience do you bring to this position?
I bring two terms of legislative experience and 15 years of public service working at the local, state, and federal levels of government. Before joining the Legislature, I worked as a preschool teacher, in Western Washington University’s government relations office, and as Governor Jay Inslee’s Northwest WA Regional Representative, helping connect Whatcom County communities with state resources. I’m a graduate of Western and earned my master’s degree in public administration from the University of Washington. Those experiences taught me how to listen, bring people together, and work through complicated problems. As your State Representative, I’ve put those skills to work helping secure more than $300 million in investments across the district.
What is the single biggest challenge facing the candidate elected to this position?
The biggest challenge is making everyday life more affordable. Through thousands of conversations across Whatcom County, I’ve heard from people who are working hard but still struggling to keep up with housing, childcare, healthcare, and other basic expenses. My family understands those pressures firsthand, including experiencing a 35% rent increase in one year before the legislature enacted protections for renters. These costs are connected: when more of your paycheck goes toward housing, there is less left for groceries, transportation, medical expenses, and saving for the future. Addressing affordability will take sustained work on several fronts and I am committed to doing just that on behalf of the residents of Whatcom County.
What will you do to address this?
I’ll keep working to expand housing options, create more opportunities for first-time homeownership, and make childcare and healthcare more affordable. Some accomplishments that I’m proud to have achieved during my first two terms are securing funding for Kulshan Community Land Trust’s Thornton Village project in Ferndale and a new Skills Center in Meridian High School. These projects will create more pathways to homeownership and expand career training for Whatcom County students. I’ve also supported keeping medical debt off credit reports and capping the cost of asthma inhalers and EpiPens at $35. These are examples of the creative solutions that I’ve worked on, and will continue to do in the Legislature if re-elected.
What sets you apart from the other candidate?
I bring a record of delivering for Whatcom County and a willingness to make independent decisions. My job as a legislator is to listen to residents throughout the district and work with anyone who is serious about solving the challenges we all face. That approach has helped me secure investments in flood protection, transportation, affordable housing, education, and public safety, while supporting policies that lower everyday costs. I’m proud of my track record in the Legislature and would be honored to have your vote to continue this work on your behalf.
Justin Pike
Justin Pike (prefers Republican party)
Why are you running for this position?
I’m running because I want my children and future generations to have the same opportunities my family had to build a life here in Whatcom County. Government should create an environment where people can succeed, not make it harder to get ahead. Families deserve the opportunity to own a home, start a business, and build financial security without being overwhelmed by rising costs. After a lifetime of public service, I believe Olympia needs leaders who understand the real world consequences of government decisions and are willing to challenge a system that isn’t delivering results.
What experience do you bring to this position?
I’ve spent more than 24 years serving in the military, including overseas deployments, and currently serve as Senior Enlisted Advisor at the Washington Army National Guard’s Regional Training Institute. My law enforcement career has included patrol, SWAT, and detective work. I’m also a small-business owner, father of four, and longtime community volunteer. I’ve negotiated labor agreements, managed personnel and resources, and made difficult decisions in which accountability isn’t optional. These experiences have shown me to listen, work across differences, solve problems, and take responsibility for the results.
What is the single biggest challenge facing the candidate elected to this position?
The biggest challenge is restoring economic opportunity for working families. Rising housing costs, taxes, energy bills, and business expenses make it harder for people to build financial security and get ahead. At the same time, government spending must reflect the priorities of the people it serves. Success should be measured by whether families can get ahead, businesses can grow, and communities have the services they need, not simply by how much government spends.
What will you do to address this?
Opportunity shouldn’t have to wait until adulthood, and government shouldn’t stand in the way of success. I’ll work to expand career and technical education, paid internships, and apprenticeships so young people can earn, learn, and build financial independence earlier. Washington should be a place where people can afford a home, raise a family, start a business, and grow. I’ll also pursue B&O tax reform to give small businesses room to succeed, reduce unnecessary regulations, and streamline housing permits. I’ll advocate for protecting core services while demanding measurable results. If it’s working, support it. If it’s broken, fix it. If it consistently fails, stop funding it.
What sets you apart from the other candidate?
I’ve spent my career working under the laws and budgets legislators create, giving me firsthand experience with how government decisions affect our communities. I’ve solved problems with limited resources, made difficult decisions, and taken responsibility for the outcomes. I understand that policies that look good on paper don’t always work in practice. I won’t measure success by the number of bills passed or dollars spent, but by whether people’s lives actually improve. I’ll bring that practical perspective to Olympia and work with anyone, regardless of political party, who is serious about delivering results for Whatcom County.
Jesse Corkern
Photo by TIFFANY BROOKS
Jesse Corkern (prefers Democratic party)
Why are you running for this position?
I’m running to bring a New Kind of Leadership to the Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. As the only candidate who has actually worked in this office, I know I have the right experience, skill set and perspective to bring the positive change this important office needs. At least a year ago, many of the attorneys I work with asked me to consider running for this position because they had seen the skills, experience, and leadership I bring to the table. I’m excited to bring positive change to this community.
What experience do you bring to this position?
I’ve been practicing law for 20 years. More than half of that time I have spent as a prosecuting attorney, including the last eight years with the Whatcom County Prosecutor’s Office. I’ve practiced in multiple jurisdictions and have practiced in state courts, the Court of Appeals, Federal Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Most importantly, I have worked in both the criminal and civil divisions of the Whatcom County Prosecutor’s Office providing a comprehensive understanding of our office, how it operates, and the important services it provides our citizens.
What is the single biggest challenge facing the candidate elected to this position?
The biggest challenge is also the most exciting opportunity. That is to rebuild an office that has been hampered by low morale, a lack of strong and decisive leadership, high turnover, and inefficient processes. Our attorneys feel overburdened and under supported, and many have left over the last few years because of these issues. I’m excited about the opportunity to provide the leadership that this office desperately needs, and I’m honored that my colleagues have asked me to be their leader.
What will you do to address this?
Fortunately, I’ve had the opportunity to work as a prosecutor in larger jurisdictions. The processes and procedures that I experienced firsthand are those that I intend to implement here as the elected prosecutor. Processes that standardize how we prosecute certain cases will allow cases to move more quickly through the system. Specialization, where attorneys focus on one particular area of law will lead to reduced caseloads for our attorneys trying our most serious cases. Additionally, my leadership team will provide hands-on mentorship to our younger and less experienced attorneys. I will require that they mentor these new attorneys in the courtroom and provide feedback and guidance to develop skilled litigators.
What sets you apart from the other candidate?
I’m the only candidate who has actually worked in the Whatcom County Prosecutor’s Office. And I’ve been fortunate to work in every division of our office, including spending the last three years in our civil division. I know our office well. And I know the many departments of our County government because I have worked closely with them. I know what works, what doesn’t, and how to make things better. My colleagues chose me for a reason, and I have the support of over 25 current and former prosecutors, and over 100 attorneys and retired judges in our community who know my work. They know I’m the right person to lead this office.
Ryan Swinburnson
Ryan Swinburnson (no party preference)
Why are you running for this position?
I am a fifth generation Whatcom County resident, and I have friends and family in every corner of our community. I care about this community. The criminal justice system, and our County, are off track. Initially, the single biggest challenge is a lack of accountability for violent offenders and drug dealers, and we are not adequately addressing our addiction and mental health crises. We need to get back on track so all of Whatcom County is safer for every community member.
What experience do you bring to this position?
I have practiced law for 27 years. I have been a part of the criminal justice system for all 27 years as both a prosecutor and criminal defense attorney. Additionally, for eight years I was the sole civil attorney for Morrow County where I counseled the County Council, Planning Department, Public Works, and every other County public office. I also handled their civil litigation. I have a unique perspective and understand what needs to be fixed, and have the experience, knowledge, and work ethic to get the job done.
What is the single biggest challenge facing the candidate elected to this position?
Initially, the single problem is attrition along with office culture. The office has lost 19 felony prosecutors from the criminal ranks in just the last four years. Additionally, countless staff have left the office due to poor leadership and poor office culture.
What will you do to address this?
For the attorneys, it is imperative to provide clear leadership and actually mentor the attorneys. The leadership team, including me, need to be in the trenches with the attorneys to provide guidance and impart a shared vision. For staff, there needs to be clarity of responsibilities. Staff need to know what is expected of them, so they are able to do meaningful work. Goals and responsibilities can't shift continuously like they do now.
What sets you apart from the other candidate?
Three things set me apart: Leadership experience, law enforcement support, and bi-partisan support. I have managed attorneys and staff in private practice and, currently, as the leader of the Whatcom County Conflict Office. This is not an entry-level leadership position, and it would be my opponent's first time leading an office, attorneys, or staff. Additionally, I have the support of the Whatcom County Sheriff's Deputy Guild, Bellingham Police Guild, Lynden Police Guild, Everson Police Foundation, along with the endorsements of Rodger Funk, Former Sheriff Bill Elfo, and former Bellingham Police Chiefs Cliff Cook and Flo Simon. Finally, I have endorsements from across the political spectrum.
Paul Burrill
Paul Burrill
Why are you running for this position?
After more than a decade serving on advisory committees, I want to bring that knowledge and relationships to the commission. My priorities are protecting our working waterfront, industrial land, supporting family wage jobs, expanding aviation opportunities and helping address workforce housing issues.
What experience do you bring to this position?
I have served on the port’s Marina Advisory Committee for more than a decade, including as chairman since 2018, and am a founding member of the Whatcom County Business and Commerce Committee. My advisory service also includes fisheries management and whale entanglement issues. I also bring over 30 years in commercial fishing, seafood business ownership in Blaine and other Washington locations, experience from owning and operating an interstate trucking company.
What is the single biggest challenge facing the candidate elected to this position?
The biggest challenge is turning the port’s assets into economic opportunity that working families can be part of. That means supporting employers and family wage jobs while addressing workforce housing, preserving industrial land and maintaining the infrastructure businesses depend on.
What will you do to address this?
I will use the relationships built through years of committee work to bring employers, workers, local governments and community members together. I will advocate for protecting industrial property, investing in essential infrastructure and pursuing practical workforce housing partnerships. I will also work to attract businesses that complement our existing maritime, agricultural, aviation and transportation industries
What sets you apart from the other candidate?
My record of service began long before I decided to seek elected office. For more than a decade, I have shown up, listened and worked through issues affecting our Port and local economy, including serving as Marina Advisory Committee chairman since 2018. Combined with my experience running businesses, earning a living and raising a family on the waterfront, that service gives me a practical understanding of the decisions this position requires.
Tor Benson
Tor Benson
Why are you running for this position?
I enjoy serving my community by volunteering on Planning and Zoning, being the Treasurer for a Farmer Market, NW Water Association, and Bellingham Bay Rotary Club. This position is where my skillset can be best put to use and my varied background will allow me to be an effective commissioner to improve the direction of the Port.
What experience do you bring to this position?
I bring 15 years of experience as an owner-operator running commercial fishing boats in Alaska, budgeting and financial knowledge as a Certified Financial Planner, and logistics expertise coordinating 800-foot cargo vessels from around the world, which have prepared me well to be an effective Port Commissioner.
What is the single biggest challenge facing the candidate elected to this position?
The Bellingham Airport is running at a loss for the third year in a row and we continue to lose routes. We need to do a better job at going to conferences where airlines and airports get together and make the case for more routes to other hubs such as Oakland which had an 88% fill rate. It was a profitable route but it just did not work for Allegiant’s overall operation.
What will you do to address this?
The airport will close for a month in July 2027 for runway upgrades and when it reopens I would like to see two new routes come online to hubs such as Oakland, Los Angeles, Denver, Phoenix, or Houston.
What sets you apart from the other candidate?
I founded Streamline Advisory, a local small business, to help individuals and businesses make informed financial decisions and will assist the port in doing the same.
Chris Elder
Photo by DIANA BARTOS
Chris Elder
Why are you running for this position?
Since the Port of Bellingham is a countywide government, and with the expansion of the Port Commission from three to five commissioners, I want to represent my community in the Foothills and Rivers Districts and ensure that our East County communities are prioritized in port planning and operations. The port holds economic development planning authority for all of Whatcom County and I hope to identify investments for rural communities, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, recreation, tourism, Tribal communities and address other East County needs.
What experience do you bring to this position?
I have lived in Whatcom County for the past 20 years with a majority of that time in the South Fork Valley. I worked for Whatcom County Planning and Development Services and Public Works for 11 years and have an intimate understanding of how local government works and how to get things done. I’ve supported agriculture, forestry, climate, and community planning and I understand community priorities. I’m one of the co-founders of Twin Sisters Farmers Market which created new markets for local farmers and brought fresh local food to East Whatcom communities that had limited access to fresh food. I’ve worked as a member of the County’s flood response team and have participated in a number of local and statewide boards and advisory committees and hope to bring my collaborative approach and knowledge of local issues to benefit our community.
What is the single biggest challenge facing the candidate elected to this position?
The first challenge will be to build a productive culture with a new five-person commission. This is exciting for me but likely is not the biggest challenge the Port faces. Given rising costs, impacts from tariffs, uncertainty from the federal government, and impacts of climate change and natural hazards – our economic realities are uncertain and strained. Our communities need economic certainty and resilience. How do we ensure that industries like agriculture and forestry are viable? How do we ensure that high school graduates can access jobs or education options after graduation? How do we make housing, food, and healthcare accessible and affordable?
What will you do to address this?
I’m already providing input on the current update to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy which guides economic investments in our community. I intend to work with broad stakeholder groups and partners to identify real investments that can be made to build that economic resilience. I want to see investments in our local food systems and forestry industries. I want to see housing focused on working class needs and including pathways to homeownership. I want to see us prioritize natural resource stewardship and technological innovation.
What sets you apart from the other candidate?
All the candidates running for the port are good guys and we’ll all serve our community well. I bring a deep knowledge of how government works and how to get things done. I hope to use my connections and relationships with small cities, rural property owners, farmers, foresters, and the Tribes to ensure that we’re working together towards a shared future. My experience in climate and flood resilience, my experience in agriculture and food systems, and my commitment to my community give invaluable experience to serve as your Port Commissioner.
Shawn Ensley
Photo by AshRene Photography
Shawn Ensley
Why are you running for this position?
I’m running because Whatcom County is my home, and I care deeply about its future. I want to ensure the port stays focused on its mission of economic development and partnering with businesses that bring living‑wage jobs to our community. I grew up in East County, raised my family here, and I want to make sure the port continues to support good jobs and strong infrastructure for the next generation.
With two new commissioners joining the board, this is a rare opportunity for fresh voices. I want to make sure East County and working‑class communities like mine are represented. I’m stepping up because I believe our part of the county deserves a seat at the table and a clear voice in the port’s direction.
What experience do you bring to this position?
I bring a unique combination of military logistics and industrial, hands-on experience. For 21 years, I served in the Air Force Reserve in logistics and airport operations while building my career at BP Cherry Point. Balancing both taught me discipline, coordination, and how to keep critical systems running safely. At BP, I’ve had the opportunity to work across many parts of the refinery — from leading turnarounds and commissioning projects to managing budgets and now serving as the Instrument & Electrical Shop Foreman. I’ve spent my career solving problems, leading teams.
What is the single biggest challenge facing the candidate elected to this position?
The biggest challenge for the next commissioner will be keeping the port focused on its core responsibilities while managing rising costs and aging infrastructure. The port oversees critical assets — the airport, working waterfront, marinas, and industrial properties — and many of those facilities need major reinvestment at a time when construction costs, regulatory requirements, and environmental obligations are all increasing.
On top of that, one of the seats is only a one‑year term and the other is three years. That’s not a lot of time to build momentum or move major projects forward. The next commissioner has to get up to speed quickly, understand the port’s priorities, and make steady progress even within a short window.
What will you do to address this?
I’ll focus on clear priorities, disciplined planning, and strong oversight. My background in logistics and industrial operations has taught me how to manage complex systems, keep projects on schedule, and make sure budgets match real‑world needs. I’ll push for long‑term infrastructure planning that’s realistic, transparent, and tied to the port’s core mission — not distractions.
With the shorter terms, it’s even more important to hit the ground running. I’ll come in prepared, ask direct questions, and focus on the projects that matter most to the public. Most importantly, I’ll make sure the port communicates openly with the public so people understand what we’re doing, why we’re doing it, and how we’re spending their money.
What sets you apart from the other candidate?
What sets me apart is that I come from the private sector, not government. I’ve spent my career in the for‑profit industry, where accountability, efficiency, and results matter every day. I don’t have connections inside government or preconceived ideas shaped by working in public agencies. I bring a fresh perspective — one grounded in military logistics, industrial operations, and real‑world problem‑solving — without the assumptions that can come from spending a career in government. I think that independence and practical experience give me a clear, straightforward approach to the port’s work.
Eddy Ury
The Northern Light did not receive a response by press time.
Frank Imhof
The Northern Light did not receive a response by press time.
Colleen Melody
Why are you running for this position?
In a moment when we are seeing unprecedented attacks on our rights and democratic institutions, my dedication to Washington and its people motivates me to continue serving my state on the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has a unique role to ensure that Washington is a safer and more just place for everyone. My goals as a member of the court are simple: to uphold the rights of all Washingtonians with integrity and fairness.
What experience do you bring to this position?
I have served as a Justice since January 2026. Prior to that, I led the Civil Rights Division of the Washington Attorney General's Office. We brought cases in all corners of the state to protect and defend the civil rights of Washingtonians, including in the workplace, housing, health care, education, insurance, credit transactions, and the commercial marketplace. We expanded access to reproductive health care statewide and took on the federal government and powerful corporations when they violated the rights of state residents.
What is the single biggest challenge facing the candidate elected to this position?
At the nuts-and-bolts level, the answer is time pressure. This role is multifaceted and demanding, requires frequent travel, and involves deep and complex appellate case work as well as executive management work to help manage our independent branch of government. The job requires at least 60 hours a week of work and often a fair amount more.
What will you do to address this?
Work hard, stay healthy, and show up for my community and colleagues every day. Public service is a proud calling.
What sets you apart from the other candidate?
I have always been a public-interest lawyer, having chosen to serve my community rather than work for paying clients at a law firm. I practiced all over Washington, working in 34 of our 39 counties. In doing that, I had the privilege to stand alongside people from all walks of life as they spoke up for their rights in court. That background serves me well as a judge because it reminds me that there are real people with real stories behind every case we hear.
Scott Edwards
Why are you running for this position?
I am running because Washingtonians deserve a Supreme Court justice who will follow the law—not pursue a political agenda. For over 30 years, I’ve watched our state Supreme Court increasingly substitute policy preferences for principled legal analysis. The Supreme Court’s job is to interpret the law as written, not to legislate from the bench. I want to restore the independence and integrity our highest court demands—and give voters a real choice instead of another governor’s appointee.
What experience do you bring to this position?
I have been representing Washington taxpayers for over thirty years, and teaching in the Tax LLM program at the University of Washington School of Law for over 20 years. Both roles are focused on interpreting the law as written in accordance with the constitution, without regard to anyone’s policy preferences, exactly the skills needed by a Supreme Court justice.
What is the single biggest challenge facing the candidate elected to this position?
Washington’s Supreme Court has become stacked with political appointees who frequently decide cases in accordance with their political ideology and in the case of voter initiatives and referenda, often substituting their opinions for the will of the people.
What will you do to address this?
By approaching every case that comes before the court the same way I have approached cases for over 30 years, by focusing on the law and the constitution without regard to my personal or policy views. By ensuring that voters have a real choice and a chance to exercise their constitutional right to choose their supreme court justices by election.
What sets you apart from the other candidate?
Experience and independence. I have spent over 30 years doing exactly what a Supreme Court justice needs to do: interpreting the law as written, applying the constitution, and setting aside my personal or political views to get it right. I have also spent more than 20 years teaching those skills to other lawyers. Because my practice has focused on an area of substantial public importance, I have handled over a dozen cases before the Washington Supreme Court.
Over the past decade the court has increasingly decided cases on policy grounds, a consequence of judges leaving the court before the end of their term so the governor can appoint someone, who often runs unopposed. My opponent was appointed by Governor Ferguson in January after serving as one of his top lieutenants for over a decade. Her only legal experience has been as a government employee, including over 11 years as one of Bob Ferguson’s assistant attorneys general. In the few months she has been on the court she has already ruled against Washingtonians' constitutional rights twice, including striking down the voter approved natural gas initiative. Voters deserve better - and a real choice.
David Stevens
The Northern Light did not receive a response by press time.
Jaime Michelle Hawk
The Northern Light did not receive a response by press time.
Ian Birk
The Northern Light did not receive a response by press time.
Sean O’Donnell
Why are you running for this position?
I’m running for the Washington State Supreme Court to continue my lifelong commitment to fairness, public safety, and equal justice under the law. During 25 years as a prosecutor and judge, I’ve worked to uphold our Constitution, protect our civil liberties and make courts more accessible. I believe in an independent judiciary guided by impartiality, compassion, and common sense, one that keeps communities safe while ensuring every person is treated with dignity and respect.
What experience do you bring to this position?
I have 25 years of experience in the legal profession: 12 as a prosecutor handling the most serious cases in our communities, and 13 as a judge presiding over nearly every type of case that comes before a courtroom. I helped prosecute the Green River Killer and tried the state’s first human trafficking case. I was elected President of the Superior Court Judges’ Association and have served King County as Chief Family Law Judge, Chief Criminal Judge, and as Special Inquiry Judge. I have also served as a Justice pro tem on our State Supreme Court.
What is the single biggest challenge facing the candidate elected to this position?
Access to justice. Most people who use our legal system cannot afford it. The lack of legal aid for civil litigants will be the great challenge of the next decade. There are too few lawyers available, and those that are available are too expensive. When I served as Chief of the Family Law Department in King County, roughly 60% of the litigants in front of me had no lawyer.
What will you do to address this?
On the Supreme Court, I will work to expand aid for self-represented litigants and will advocate for fully funded interpreter services. The Limited License Legal Technician program, which helped people who could not afford an attorney, is a decision worth revisiting. I will also do everything I can to ensure that AI never replaces human judgment in a legal decision from the Court.
What sets you apart from the other candidate?
I am the only candidate in this race who has served as a Justice pro tem on the Washington State Supreme Court, and the only candidate that both of the major political parties in the state are recommending to their voters. I am the only candidate running for Supreme Court in 2026 to have gone through the rating process with the King County Bar Association. I earned the title of "Exceptionally Well Qualified" for the Supreme Court from the King County Bar Association and several other ratings organizations. I am proud to be endorsed by The Seattle Times, Govs. Gregoire and Locke, Congressmembers Smith and Strickland, the majority of both the King County Council and Bellevue City Council, over 240 judges, and 25 mayors. My colleagues, the people who know what this work actually requires, have looked at my record and have enthusiastically supported me in this race.
Theo Angelis
The Northern Light did not receive a response by press time.
Dave Larson
Why are you running for this position?
I am running because voters deserve a court system that is the envy of the nation. I want to make our Supreme Court the trusted institution it is supposed to be, so I am running a campaign based on the values judges are supposed to uphold. I don’t want to just occupy a seat on the Supreme Court; I will use my experience as a trial judge to bring needed leadership to our Supreme Court to work with the legislature and local government to provide common sense solutions to the issues we face in our communities that will reduce crime with compassion without sacrificing personal accountability. My work around criminal justice reform has been recognized nationally. We don’t need to be tougher on crime or softer on crime, we need to be smarter on crime.
What experience do you bring to this position?
41 total years of experience; 18 years as a trial judge, 23 years as a trial lawyer, 16 years running a court, 10 years teaching new judges at the state’s judicial college, and recognized for my time on and off the bench; 2018 and 2026 District and Municipal Court Judges’ Association President’s Award, recognized by the Supreme Court Gender & Justice Commission for domestic violence prevention, recipient of the Judge William Nevins Award for long-term commitment to youth education, recognized as a “Hero” of Federal Way Public Schools in 2018 and again in 2022, selected by the readers of the Federal Way Mirror as Federal Way’s Best City Leader, and much more. See larsonforjustice.com/record/ for more.
What is the single biggest challenge facing the candidate elected to this position?
As noted in my first answer, criminal justice is a pressing need, but we will not be able to solve those issues and more until we reform the way we appoint and elect judges. See larsonforjustice.com/open-letter-to-voters/ and press release “Judge Dave Larson (Ret.) Renews Concerns About Judicial Elections and Judicial Independence” at larsonforjustice.com/news/.
What will you do to address this?
I will continue to work with the legislature on criminal justice reform and work to create the Judicial Elections Commission.
What sets you apart from the other candidate?
My noted experience above. My opponent has no prior judicial experience and was appointed by the governor in April even though he has been a campaign contributor for nearly 20 years, including giving money for Governor Ferguson’s 2028 campaign. He has also contributed funds to several politicians who are on the frontline of many issues before the court.
Debra L. Stephens
The Northern Light did not receive a response by press time.
Todd A. Bloom
Why are you running for this position?
Todd Bloom is running to bring change to Washington’s Supreme Court and strengthen public confidence in its decisions. He believes the court must uphold the Constitution, apply the law as written, and protect everyone’s right to fair and impartial justice.
What experience do you bring to this position?
Bloom brings more than 25 years of experience as an attorney, along with his background as a CPA and U.S. Navy veteran. He has spent nearly two decades resolving complex financial disputes as a FINRA arbitrator and currently serves on the Washington State Bar Association’s Board of Governors.
What is the single biggest challenge facing the candidate elected to this position?
The biggest challenge is strengthening public trust that the court’s decisions rest on consistent legal principles. Washingtonians deserve confidence that every case receives fair consideration, regardless of political pressure or the parties involved.
What will you do to address this?
Bloom will approach each case with an open mind, respect precedent, and ground his decisions in constitutional and statutory text. He will explain his reasoning clearly and respect the separation of powers, leaving policy decisions to the people and their elected representatives.
What sets you apart from the other candidate?
Bloom offers a fresh perspective shaped by military service, private practice, financial expertise, and years of resolving disputes. His experience working with businesses, retirees, and families inform his understanding of how court decisions affect everyday lives. He offers voters a choice for change rooted in fairness, independence, and constitutional principles.
Angela Anderson
The Northern Light did not receive a response by press time.
Jonathan Rands
Why are you running for this position?
I remain committed to the people of Whatcom County and to doing the hard work this position demands. Over the past three-plus years, I have brought a strong work ethic, integrity, and fairness to the bench in what I consider the best job in public service. As a lawyer, I made a difference one client at a time; as a judge, I serve more than 100 people each day. I am committed to ensuring every person who enters my courtroom is treated with dignity, respect, and equal access to justice.
What experience do you bring to this position?
I have had the honor to serve as a Whatcom County District Court Judge since 2022. Previously, I was a Criminal Defense Attorney and small business owner for 20 years. My previous experience has allowed me to earn the honor of teaching new judges at Judicial College every year.
What is the single biggest challenge facing the candidate elected to this position?
Threats to Judicial Independence and personal safety. Currently we lack security in the courthouse and in the courtroom. This impacts how we do our jobs and live our lives outside of the courtroom. Since I began this role, there has been a sharp increase in threats, public harassment and political pressure. I find my decisions are subjected to partisan attacks when rulings do not align with political preferences.
What will you do to address this?
I will continue to do what the voters have elected me to do -- follow the Rule of Law.
