Whatcom County candidates to file for upcoming election

Whatcom County residents looking to throw their hats in the ring for elected office will have the chance to do so starting at 8 a.m. May 4. 

Candidates can sign up to run in the Aug. 4 primary during filing week, a one-week window for candidate registration that ends at 5 p.m. May 8. The Whatcom County Auditor’s Office encourages candidates to file online, but filing is also available by email, mail, fax or in person. Mailed forms must be received by the deadline.

The August primary is a top-two election, meaning the two most popular candidates, regardless of party, will move on to the November general election. 

Here are the following positions representing Blaine and Birch Bay constituents up for election: 

• Congress Representative, District 2: A two-year term currently held by Rick Larsen (D-Everett). 
• State Senator, 42nd Legislative District: A four-year term held by Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham), who announced she is not running again. 
• State Representative Pos. 1, 42nd Legislative District: A two-year term held by Alicia Rule (D-Blaine).
• State Representative Pos. 2, 42nd Legislative District: A two-year term held by Joe Timmons (D-Bellingham).
• Whatcom County Prosecutor: A four-year term held by Eric Richey.
• Whatcom County District Court Judge Pos. 1: A four-year nonpartisan position held by Angela Anderson. 
• Whatcom County District Court Judge Pos. 2: A four-year nonpartisan position held by Jonathan Rands.
• Port of Bellingham Commissioner, District 4: A newly created position after voters approved expanding the commission from three to five seats last November. 
• Port of Bellingham Commissioner, District 5: A newly created position after voters approved expanding the commission from three to five seats last November. 

Dozens of Whatcom County precinct officer positions will also be in the August election, along with five Washington State Supreme Court justice positions. 

For more information, call the election division at the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office at 360-778-5102 or visit bit.ly/4cP1xTu. The office is at 311 Grand Ave., Suite 103, in Bellingham.