Local candidates file for upcoming primary election

Whatcom County’s candidate filing period for the August 5 primary election ended, and 149 candidates have officially filed to run for 100 open offices.

Offices up for election this summer include positions on Whatcom County Council, Blaine school district, Port of Bellingham commission, among others.

Beginning with Point Roberts races, following is a list of candidates running for local office:

Point Roberts Park and Recreation District 1, Commissioner, Position 3: Mike Bell and Travis Robb. Position is currently held by Matt Wang who is not running for re-election.

Point Roberts Park and Recreation District 1, Commissioner, Position 4: Doug Shier, Izaac Wilkowski and Bronwyn Glor. Position is currently held by Stephen Falk who is not running for re-election.

Fire Protection District 5, Commissioner, Position 3: Incumbent Patrick Harper is running unopposed.

Point Roberts Water District 4, Commissioner, Position 3: Grant Heitman and Rhonda Granger. Position is currently held by Arthur Reber who is not running for re-election.

Point Roberts Public Hospital District, Commissioner, Position 2: Allison Calder, Jen Olson Kurcz, Alyssa Clark, Alice Strombom and Solomon Loop. Position is currently held by Stephen Falk who is not running for re-election.

Cemetery District 8, Commissioner, Position 3: Incumbent Pauline DeHaan will run unopposed.

Whatcom County Positions:

Whatcom County Superior Court, Judge Position 5: Jennifer Slattery, who was appointed to the new judgeship last year, will run unopposed.

Whatcom County Council, District 1: Incumbent Kaylee Galloway will run unopposed.

Whatcom County Council, District 2: Elizabeth Boyle, Maya Morales and Mike Cullum. Incumbent Todd Donovan will not seek reelection.

Whatcom County Council, District 3: Incumbent Tyler Byrd, Jessica Rienstra, Kyle Christensen and Daniel Probst.

Whatcom County Council, At-Large Position A: Incumbent Barry Buchanan and Misty Flowers.

Blaine School District 503, Director, District 3 (representing roughly the north half of Birch Bay): Bob Feaster and Jim Shaver. Incumbent and board president Cliff Freeman is not running again.

Blaine School District 503, Director, District 4 (representing generally the south half of Birch Bay east of Blaine Road): Incumbent Ryan Swinburnson is running unopposed.

Blaine School District 503, Director, District 5 (representing most of Semiahmoo and Blaine between Dakota and California creeks): Chelsea Belarmino is running unopposed.

Port of Bellingham Commissioner, District 1 (representing parts of Bellingham, Fairhaven, Lake Whatcom and Van Zandt): Incumbent Michael Shepard will run unopposed.

Port of Bellingham Commissioner, District 2 (representing Lynden, Maple Falls, Everson, Deming and parts of Bellingham): Incumbent Ken Bell, Carly James and Kaylin A. Bosley. Paul Burrill initially filed to run but rescinded his bid.

The deadline for candidates to submit voters’ pamphlet content is Tuesday, May 20. Ballots are expected to be mailed July 16, and the last day for new voters to register online is July 28.

Results for the August 5 primary election will be certified by August 19, and the general election will be held November 4. The primary election is a top two system, meaning the two candidates with the most votes will advance to the November general election, regardless of party.

For a full list of candidates, visit votewa.gov. For more information about Whatcom County elections, contact the auditor’s office at 360/778-5102 or elections@co.whatcom.wa.us.