WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Another Whatcom County resident has thrown their name into the hat for state Senate

Whatcom Democrats Chair Eamonn Collins announced on Tuesday, Feb. 24 that he’s running for a Senate seat in Washington’s 42nd Legislative District.

Collins was elected to the Whatcom County Charter Review Commission last fall and also teaches science at Lummi Nation School.

“I entered this race because I’m a teacher who is tired of seeing my students and their families struggle under a system that simply isn’t working for them,” said Collins, who teaches at the Lummi Nation School. “The status quo in Washington is failing working people. We cannot keep pretending that incremental tweaks will fix a system fundamentally tilted toward the wealthy and well-connected.”

His campaign priorities include taxing the state’s wealthiest residents, targeting housing affordability, strengthening local food systems and protecting reproductive healthcare.

The announcement comes after current senator Sharon Shewmake said she won’t seek reelection.

Collins now joins Port of Bellingham Commissioner Michael Shepard and Blaine School Board director Erika Creydt as the current field vying to take her seat.

Collins and Shepard are both running as Democrats, while Creydt is running as a Republican.

This year’s primary election takes place on Aug. 4 ahead of the general election on Nov. 3.