Port of Bellingham Commissioner Race 2026
Next Voting Date: Primary - August 4th, 2026
Stay up to date on Port Commissioner candidates for the 2026 race in districts 4 & 5.
Below is information on the election, list of candidates, candidate video interviews, and coming later - candidate forum information.
The Working Waterfront Coalition is a non-partisan organization.
No endorsements are made or implied through any material or info posted here.
How the elections work:
- Candidates in the primary are voted on only by voters in their district. The top two candidates progress to the General Election (August 4th)
- All of Whatcom County votes on all candidates from all districts in the General Election. (November 3rd)
Port of Bellingham Districts 4 and 5 are brand new this year, voted in last year by the Port Commissioners. We'll be covering information on the election this year for the two new seats.
The Candidates
District 4
| Name | Address Filed | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Chartier | 1383 KAMM RD, LYNDEN, WA, 98264 | tim@chartierforport.com | (410) 627-8470 |
| Dean Berkeley | 4123 FISHERMANS BEND LN, BLAINE, WA, 98230 | daberkeley@aol.com | (360) 661-5868 |
| Tor Benson | 2219 RIMLAND DR SUITE 301, BELLINGHAM, WA, 98226 | Torforport@gmail.com | (360) 510-2877 |
| Jaden McConnell | 2390 PEACE PORTAL DR PMB 199, BLAINE, WA, 98230 | jadenforport@votejaden.com | |
| Paul Burrill | PO BOX 446, LYNDEN, WA, 98264 | burrillforport@gmail.com | (360) 325-5073 |
| Samantha Cruz-Mendoza | PO BOX 413, FERNDALE, WA, 98248 | contact@votecruzmendoza.com | (360) 389-3841 |
District 5
| Name | Address Filed | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Todd Lagestee | 2950 NEWMARKET ST STE 101-190, BELLINGHAM, WA, 98226 | todd4port@gmail.com | (360) 320-6777 |
| Randall Wood | 4288 DEMING RD, EVERSON, WA, 98247 | rwood4288@gmail.com | (360) 325-3274 |
| Spenser R. New | 2518 MOSQUITO LAKE RD, DEMING, WA, 98244 | bakerbuiltnw@gmail.com | (369) 961-4329 |
| Jerry Burns | 7916 APACHE DR , MAPLE FALLS, WA, 98266 | cpo1@mailfence.com | (360) 510-3715 |
| Shawn Ensley | PO BOX 28361, BELLINGHAM, WA, 98228 | EnsleyforPort@gmail.com | (360) 592-3434 |
| Chris Elder | PO BOX 72, ACME, WA, 98220 | votechriselder@gmail.com | (360) 840-3064 |
Candidate Interviews
We sat down with several candidates from each district to hear their thoughts and vision for the Port's focus and future. See below the posted interviews - please share them!
*Not all candidates responded to our invitation for an interview.
*The Working Waterfront Coalition is a non-partisan organization and no endorsements are implied in these videos