Diane Leilani Kitchen Posing for a photo. Courtesy to Bellingham Metro News
By Fernando Gonzalez Jr. | Founder, Owner, Publisher, Editor-in-Chief, and Business Reporter | Bellingham Metro News
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Cordata neighborhood resident Diane Leilani Kitchen has officially been deemed elected as the Republican Precinct Committee Officer for Whatcom County Precinct 203 after filing unopposed for the position, according to a notice issued by the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office.
Kitchen shared the notice publicly this week on her public facebook page, which states that because she was the only candidate to file for the PCO position in her precinct, she was automatically elected pursuant to RCW 29A.52.171(1). The notice further states that her elected term officially begins December 1, 2026, and that her name will not appear on the ballot because no opposing candidate filed.
Kitchen told Bellingham Metro News in a phone interview that while her elected term officially begins later this year, she is currently serving in the position through appointment, allowing her to begin participating in party activities and internal voting processes ahead of the official start date.
“Being elected means I get to do voting in the month of December where we vote for officers in the party,” Kitchen explained.
Kitchen says her decision to become involved in local politics came largely through her professional work and advocacy for people she serves in her career. She said many of the decisions affecting funding, services, and care for vulnerable individuals are ultimately made through government at both the state and local levels.
“Oh gosh I would say getting involved in local politics because of my work,” Kitchen said. “My clients needed a voice and why not me. Funds for my client’s care, my job is decided in Olympia. Some issues are decided locally.”
For readers unfamiliar with the role, Kitchen described a Precinct Committee Officer as one of the most local and grassroots positions within the political system. According to her, the role centers heavily around communication, neighborhood outreach, relationship building, and helping residents stay informed about issues affecting their communities.
“A Precinct Committee Officer is someone who builds relationships to identify local issues and motivations,” Kitchen said. “Plus get people out to vote. Whether at neighborhood meetings or a walk in the neighborhood or even a call or text, a neighbor can ask questions about what’s going on locally and in Olympia. Grassroots.”
Kitchen also noted that PCOs carry influence beyond neighborhood outreach. One of the lesser-known responsibilities of Precinct Committee Officers in Washington state involves helping political parties fill legislative vacancies when elected officials leave office before their terms expire.
Kitchen pointed to several recent examples in Washington politics where PCOs played a direct role in selecting replacement candidates.
Following the death of longtime Washington State Senator Doug Ericksen in December 2021, Republican PCOs within the 42nd Legislative District participated in recommending candidates to the Whatcom County Council to fill the vacancy. Similar processes also occurred in the 40th Legislative District following the resignation of Representative Jeff Morris in 2020 and after Senator Kevin Ranker stepped down in 2019.
Kitchen said those examples show that the position carries more responsibility than many people realize.
Kitchen will represent Republican Precinct 203, which covers portions of the Cordata neighborhood in north Bellingham. She described the precinct boundaries as generally stretching from the Guide Meridian area toward Van Wyck Road, around June Road, Kellogg Road, and Westerly Road.
The precinct contains a mix of apartments, single-family neighborhoods, retirees, young families, and students connected to Whatcom Community College, along with newer residential developments that have continued expanding in recent years.
“My precinct is full of apartments and Whatcom Community College plus a few new developments on June Road,” Kitchen said.
According to Kitchen, one of her top priorities involves public safety and quality-of-life concerns within the neighborhood as the area continues to grow rapidly.
“My biggest concern is safety in my neighborhood,” she said. “We have a mixture of college-age residents, families, and retirees.”
Kitchen also said she hopes to focus on encouraging civic involvement among younger residents, particularly college students and young adults who may not yet be actively engaged in local elections or community discussions.
“I also want to educate college students and young adults about the importance of voting,” she said.
Another issue Kitchen says deserves more public attention is the growing impact of homelessness and mental health struggles throughout the Cordata and north Bellingham area. She pointed specifically to encampments and ongoing concerns surrounding areas near WinCo, Walmart, Fred Meyer, King Mountain, and portions of the Bakerview corridor.
“Right now our homeless and mental health issues are at an all-time high,” Kitchen said. “The WinCo, Walmart, Fred Meyer, King Mountain encampments and the one before on Bakerview by the mall are all around my neighborhood and I’ve seen the effects.”
Outside of politics, Kitchen says she has spent years volunteering and participating in community organizations throughout Whatcom County.
She says she has previously been active in her union, has volunteered at the Lighthouse Mission for close to ten years, and remains involved through Christ the King Church, particularly within children’s ministry and women’s ministry programs at the church’s Ferndale campus.
Kitchen says she hopes residents throughout the precinct feel comfortable approaching her regardless of political affiliation or ideology.
“I hope that my neighbors feel comfortable talking and asking questions,” she said. “Even though I lean on the conservative side, I’m still open-minded and don’t mind a healthy discussion.”
She added that she hopes simple interactions within the community can help strengthen relationships throughout the neighborhood.
“When I’m out walking around WCC and I wave hi, I hope they wave hi,” Kitchen said.
To stay connected with residents, Kitchen says she plans to regularly attend Cordata Neighborhood Association meetings and remain visible throughout the precinct so residents have opportunities to bring concerns directly to her.
“There is hope they come up and address issues with me,” she said.
While discussing future plans, Kitchen hinted there may be additional projects or initiatives she hopes to pursue down the road, though she declined to publicly elaborate at this time.
“Oh that I can’t quite say publicly yet,” she said. “But just know I’m planning something.”
Kitchen’s official elected term as Republican Precinct Committee Officer for Precinct 203 will begin December 1, 2026.
About This Report
This article is part of Bellingham Metro News coverage of the 2026 election cycle, including local candidates, precinct-level races, public offices, political organizing, and community issues affecting Bellingham, Whatcom County, and Northwest Washington.
Fernando Gonzalez Jr. is the Founder, Owner, Publisher, Editor-in-Chief, and Business Reporter for Bellingham Metro News. Gonzalez founded BMN in 2019 after years of digital media experience, local news publishing, and grassroots reporting in Whatcom County. His work includes business development coverage, public safety reporting, local government stories, election coverage, and community-focused reporting across the region.
BMN is known for covering breaking news, new businesses, retail development, public records-based stories, local elections, and ongoing community issues through its website and large social media audience.
About the Author
Discover more from Bellingham Metro News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
