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WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The 2026 Primary is here for Whatcom County. Ballots were mailed out Wednesday, July 15 and numerous races will be culled down for the region ahead of this November. Below are responses to questions sent to each candidate in Port of Bellingham Commissioner Seat 5. They have not been edited with the exception for typos and formatting reasons.
Jerry Burns
Declined to participate.
Chris Elder
I’ve been living in Whatcom County for 20 years (12 years in the South Fork Valley). I worked in agriculture, grocery, finance, food service, and education before being hired by Whatcom County Planning and Development Services where I administered the farmland preservation program, served as the primary staff for long range natural resource planning for terrestrial wildlife, agriculture, and climate action, and also supported forestry and bicycle pedestrian planning. I moved over to Whatcom County Public Works where I served as the Senior Watershed Management Planner supporting water supply and watershed health planning as well as sea level rise and future riverine planning and forest resilience planning. I supported the preservation of roughly 1,000 acres of farmland and supported restoration of over 300 acres of critical watershed habitat and served as the lead staff for the County on the Stewart Mountain Community Forest effort. I currently work as the Farmland Preservation Program Manager for King County.
What do you see yourself bringing to the office as an advantage over your opponents?
I have worked in local government for the past 12 years and I familiar with the structure of decision making, relationships between staff, elected officials, and the general public – which is critical for being effective as a Port Commissioner. I have supported and participated on numerous government and non-government advisory committees and boards including Whatcom Forest Resilience Task Force, Whatcom Climate Impact Advisory Committee, Whatcom Agricultural Advisory Committee, Whatcom Food Network, Twin Sisters Market Board, and others. I am a good listener, a respectful teammate, and I know what collaboration looks like – and I know how to steward challenging topics.
What approach will you have as a leader?
I’m excited to represent the Foothills and Rivers District and ensure the Port uses its economic development engine to invest in all of Whatcom County. In District 5 we need to support investments in our agricultural and forestry industries, in our Nooksack Tribal communities and businesses, in our flood impacted communities of Sumas, Nooksack, Everson, Deming, and Acme, and to support the businesses that employ, feed, and house our neighbors. I will lead for my entire district and advocate for my community. We need to steward and invest in our natural resources, improve trails and public access, build resilience to floods, fires, drought, and other natural hazards, and bring the Foothills and Rivers District to the table. I’m excited to support the transition from 3 to 5 commissioners and continue the good work of preserving a working waterfront, enhancing public uses and access of the Waterfront, increasing trade at the shipping terminal and airport, and bolstering our local goods economy (think farm products, forest products, seafood, etc). The Port has the opportunity to really support the kind of economic growth that focuses on community and living wage jobs while stewarding our environment and natural resources.
What policies from prior leadership do you agree with? Which ones would you like to see changed?
I’m excited to see the progress made to fully reactivate the shipping terminal and lean into the Port’s role in facilitating trade and commerce. I think the Port has been re-engaging its role as the Regional Economic Partnership lead in a new way and I’m excited to see the results from this effort. I would like to see the Port further explore its role in addressing economic development in the Foothills and Rivers District and other areas outside of Bellingham. The Blaine Harbor and city of Blaine have significant opportunity to reinvest in their working waterfront and downtown area. Communities of Everson, Nooksack, and Sumas need investments that support relocating out of the floodplain or mitigating the flood risk. Kendall, Peaceful Valley, and other East County communities need access to additional services such as safe trails, access to medical providers, improved access to food, and more jobs. The Port may not be the lead on all these items, but we can use our economic development authority to steer investments to all of Whatcom County.
What public needs do you think need more attention that are currently underserved?
Access to affordable food, access to affordable housing, access to public transportation (transit and trails), and more living wage jobs are critical for all of our County. I think the Port has been focused primarily on our marine and maritime endeavors largely in Bellingham, which is good and important, and I think this expansion to 5 commissioners really provides the opportunity to truly make the Port lean into its Countywide authority and make decisions that support all of Whatcom County.
What do you feel is your largest challenge in winning this election?
I’ve been having great conversations about who I am and what the Port is and how it could engage and support the Foothills and Rivers District, but there is not enough time between now and the primary to connect with all of my community. I’m hoping to meet and chat with as many folks as possible until the primary, and then again until the general election.
Shawn Ensley
I’m a lifelong Whatcom County resident. I spent 21 years in the Air Force Reserve in Air Transportation and logistics. My career at BP Cherry Point has consisted of many different roles all centered on keeping complex systems safe, reliable, and running — experience I bring to public service.
What do you see yourself bringing to the office as an advantage over your opponents?
I bring real‑world experience, and a collaborative approach from my extensive background of working with a diverse group of people towards common goals. My experience in both my military and civilian careers has afforded me many opportunities in leadership, and that background will serve me well in this position. My focus is keeping the Port mission‑driven, accountable, and working for the long‑term benefit of Whatcom County. My background in infrastructure, logistics, and team leadership helps me make steady, accountable decisions that support economic development and responsible management of public assets.
What approach will you have as a leader?
My approach as a leader is collaborative, steady, and focused. I listen first, rely on good data, and work with partners to find practical solutions. I believe in transparency, accountability, and keeping the Port centered on its core responsibilities—supporting economic development, transportation, and responsible management of public assets.
What policies from prior leadership do you agree with? Which ones would you like to see changed?
I respect the work that prior Port leadership has done, and I’m focused on where we go next while keeping in line with the mission statement. I’m interested in strengthening transparency, improving long‑term planning, and making sure our investments serve the whole community. My approach is about looking ahead, building on what works, and making practical improvements that prepare the Port for the future.
What public needs do you think need more attention that are currently underserved?
The public needs I think deserve more attention are the ones directly tied to parts of the mission statement: reliable transportation, infrastructure, support for local living wage jobs, making sure Port‑owned facilities are maintained, safe, and accessible, and looking toward future endeavours that continue to grow the economic health of our community. My focus is on strengthening and supporting these core responsibilities so the Port continues to serve the whole community effectively in ways that support responsible growth and enables the continued stewardship of these community assets.
What do you feel is your largest challenge in winning this election?
One challenge in this election is simply helping people understand what the Port does and how important it is to Whatcom County’s economy and transportation system. It’s also a nonpartisan office, and I think that sometimes gets overlooked. My focus is on explaining the mission of the Port and showing how my experience fits the practical, day‑to‑day work of the role while looking towards a future that supports growth and community access in sustainable ways.
Todd Lagestee
Declined to participate.
Spenser R. New
Did not respond to repeated requests.
Randall Wood
Did not respond to repeated requests.
My Bellingham Now is committed to providing equal opportunities to candidates in the Whatcom County region. This is part of a series of emailed questionnaires our team sent to candidates in elections likely to see eliminations in the 2026 Primary. Read responses from candidates in the following races:
40th District Rep. Position 2