Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney
Democratic candidate Jesse Corkern led Ryan Swinburnson in early results with nearly 58% of the vote. Swinburnson, who prefers neither party, trailed with 42% of the vote.
The Whatcom County Auditor reported a turnout of 53% on election night, with 90,027 ballots received of 170,523 registered voters. The count is not final and the next update is expected Wednesday night.
Corkern said Tuesday night that the results were decisive, and he didn’t expect anything to change in the coming days.
He said he and his campaign team worked hard ahead of the election, which led to the initial results being well in his favor.
“I think we had a message that resonated with the voters,” he said. “We campaigned on a message of a new kind of leadership. Leadership that was built on experience inside the office, and knowledge that was gained outside the office.”
Corkern celebrated at Stemma Brewing West in Bellingham on Tuesday night as results came in.
“I’m ready to start planning for the transition, and being sworn in in January,” Corkern said.
Swinburnson did not immediately respond to phone calls on Tuesday night.
Corkern and Swinburnson have said they differ in how they’d approach the prosecuting attorney position.
Corkern said he would not carry a caseload. Instead, he would prioritize his time by managing the attorneys within the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and making sure it operates smoothly.
Swinburnson said that as prosecuting attorney, he would take on some of the most complicated, difficult cases.
Corkern said he has 20 years of experience practicing law, the last eight of which have been spent in the county prosecutor’s office. He currently works as the senior deputy prosecuting attorney.
Corkern said he’d like to restore the prosecutor’s office, which has been impacted by low morale, high turnover, indecisive leadership and inefficient processes.
Swinburnson said he has 26 years of experience as a prosecutor and defense attorney. He highlighted attrition and office culture as areas he would focus on.
Swinburnson has served as a Blaine School Board director, and is the current board president.
