Photo by Greg Thames from Pexels
WHATCOM COUNTY, WA — On Monday morning, while most people are heading to work, a smaller group of Whatcom County residents will be making a different decision.
They won’t just be thinking about who to vote for.
They’ll be deciding whether to run.
At 8 a.m. on May 4th, candidate filing week officially opens, giving anyone in Whatcom County a five-day window to put their name on the ballot. By 5 p.m. on May 8, that window closes—and with it, the shape of this year’s local elections will largely be set.
For voters, filing week is easy to overlook. There are no campaign signs yet, no debates, no headlines about winners and losers. But this is the moment where those outcomes quietly begin.
Because before there is a race, someone has to step forward.
The process itself is straightforward. Candidates can file online through the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office, or submit paperwork by mail, email, fax, or in person. Mailed forms must be received—not postmarked—by the deadline.
Most positions require a filing fee, typically 1% of the office’s annual salary, though candidates can instead gather voter signatures.
But behind that process is a more personal moment—one that doesn’t show up in official guides.
It’s the moment someone decides:
“I’m going to do this.”
For some, that decision comes after years of involvement in the community. For others, it comes after frustration with how things are going. And for a few, it comes quietly—without much fanfare—until their name suddenly appears on the ballot.
In Washington’s top-two primary system, the field that forms during filing week often determines the direction of the race before campaigning even begins.
The two candidates who receive the most votes in the August primary advance to the November general election, regardless of party. That means who chooses to run—or not run—can shape the choices voters ultimately have.
Some races draw multiple candidates and active debate. Others may have only one name, or none at all.
In that sense, filing week becomes a kind of early test of civic engagement: not just who votes, but who is willing to lead.
This year’s ballot spans every level of government.
At the federal level, the 2nd Congressional District seat, currently held by Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Everett), is up for a two-year term.
Closer to home, Whatcom County is split between two legislative districts. In the 42nd Legislative District, both State House seats—Position 1 held by Rep. Alicia Rule (D-Blaine) and Position 2 held by Rep. Joe Timmons (D-Bellingham)—are up for election.
Portions of Bellingham and western Whatcom County also fall within the 40th Legislative District, which includes parts of San Juan and Skagit counties. There, Rep. Debra Lekanoff (D, Position 1) and Rep. Alex Ramel (D, Position 2) are both seeking reelection, while Sen. Liz Lovelett (D) holds the Senate seat.
At the county level, voters will choose a Whatcom County Prosecutor, a four-year position currently held by Eric Richey, along with two nonpartisan District Court Judge positions held by Angela Anderson and Jonathan Rands.
The Port of Bellingham Commission will also look different this year. After voters approved expanding the board from three to five members, two new seats—Districts 4 and 5—will appear on the ballot for the first time.
Further down the ballot, dozens of precinct committee officer positions and five Washington State Supreme Court seats are up for election. While often overlooked, these judicial races may carry added significance this cycle, as the court could be called on to rule on the constitutionality of Washington’s new tax on high earners.
One race drawing early attention is the open State Senate seat in the 42nd Legislative District.
With Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) choosing not to seek reelection, the four-year seat is open in a district that has seen competitive races in recent cycles.
Several candidates have already announced ahead of filing week. Democrat Eamonn Collins, former chair of the Whatcom County Democrats, entered the race in February. Port of Bellingham Commissioner Michael Shepard announced earlier, in December. Republican Erika Creydt (R-Blaine) has also declared, along with independent candidate Ryan Bowman.
With multiple candidates already in the mix, the race is expected to be one of the more closely watched contests on the August ballot.
Long before ballots are mailed or votes are counted, every election begins the same way.
Someone decides to run.
Sometimes that decision comes after years of preparation. Other times, it happens in a moment—after a conversation, a frustration, or a sense that something needs to change.
Filing week is when those decisions become public.
By the end of the week, Whatcom County will know who is stepping forward—and, just as importantly, where choices may be limited.
For those who have considered getting involved, the window opens Monday.
And for those who choose to step forward and serve—
May the Fourth be with you.
This article was written by BMN Citizen Reporter Greg Thames
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