Candidates gearing up for primary election

Candidates across Whatcom County are gearing up for the August 2023 primary election.

A handful of candidates have started filing their applications for public office with the county election office ahead of the May 19 filing deadline. The primary election will be held on August 1.

Satpal Sidhu will run for a second term as Whatcom County Executive. Sidhu was elected to the four-year position in 2019 and had previously served as a county councilmember for five years.

Kathy Kershner announced she will run again for Whatcom County Council district position 4, which encompasses Lynden and parts of Custer and east Blaine. Kershner has served on county council for two terms and is a U.S. Navy veteran.

Jonathan Scanlon filed to run for Whatcom County Council Position 2 at-large seat. Scanlon has over 20 years’ experience in public policy working at both the state and global level, according to his website.

Blaine police chief Donnell Tanksley announced his bid for Whatcom County Sheriff last month and Stacy Henthorn recently announced her bid for Whatcom County Auditor.

Here are the positions up for election in 2023:

• Whatcom County Executive. Satpal Sidhu is the incumbent for the four-year term.

• Whatcom County Council district 4 position. Kathy Kershner is the incumbent for the four-year term.

• Whatcom County Council district 5 position, which encompasses Point Roberts, Blaine, Birch Bay and parts of Custer. Ben Elenbaas is the incumbent for the four-year term.

• Whatcom County Council at-large position B. Carol Frazey is the incumbent for the four-year term.

• Whatcom County Assessor. Rebecca Xczar is the incumbent for the four-year term.

• Whatcom County Auditor. Diana Bradrick, the incumbent for the four-year term, announced she would retire at the end of her term.

• Whatcom County Sheriff. Sheriff Bill Elfo has yet to announce if he will seek reelection for the four-year term. However, Blaine police chief ‘Tank’ Tanksley has announced he is planning to run for the job.

• Whatcom County Treasurer. Steven Oliver is the incumbent for the four-year regular term.

• Port of Bellingham district 3 commissioner, represents Blaine, Birch Bay and Custer. Bobby Briscoe is the incumbent for the four-year regular term.

• Blaine School District Commissioner, District 1. Kimberly Akre will become the incumbent for the four-year regular term when she is sworn in during the February school board meeting.

• Blaine School District Commissioner, District 2. Dougal Thomas is the incumbent for the four-year regular term.

• Blaine School District Commissioner, District 3. Erika Creydt is the incumbent for the two-year unexpired term.

• Blaine School District Commissioner, District 4. Charles Gibson is the incumbent for the four-year regular term.

• Blaine School District Commissioner, District 5. Donald Leu is the incumbent for the two-year unexpired term.

• Point Roberts Cemetery District 8 Commissioner, Position 2, currently held by Dan Bourks, is up for a 6-year regular term.

• Point Roberts Fire Protection District 5 Commissioner, Position 2, currently held by Norm Katz, is up for a 6-year short and full-term.

• Point Roberts Hospital District Commissioner, Position 12, currently held by Noel Newboldt, is up for a 6-year short and full-term.

• Point Roberts Park and Recreation District Commissioner, Position 1, currently held by Kathleen Pierce-Friedman, is up for a 4-year short and full-term.

• Point Roberts Park and Recreation District Commissioner, Position 2, currently held by Bill Zidel, is up for a 4-year short and full-term.

• Point Roberts Park and Recreation District Commissioner, Position 4, currently held by Mitch Friedman, is up for a 2-year unexpired term.

• Point Roberts Park and Recreation District Commissioner, Position 5, currently held by Mike Cressy, is up for a 4-year regular term.

• Point Roberts Water District 4 Commissioner, Position 2, currently held by Scott Hackleman, is up for a 6-year regular term.