For this year’s endorsement process, we asked candidates in City of Bellingham and County races* to select at least two positions from our platform and provide examples of how their paid or volunteer work has advanced our mission. We also asked candidates to offer actions they’d commit to taking if elected in November. If elected, we look forward to seeing how our endorsed candidates will advance progressive policies in our community.
Whatcom County Council
District 1 – County Councilmember Kaylee Galloway continues to impress with her thoughtful and collaborative leadership, her expertise in key policy areas, and her practical understanding of county government. While in office, Galloway has kept her top priorities – climate resilience and community resilience – at the forefront of her policy work. She has sponsored and championed multiple resolutions and ordinances that seek to protect ecosystem health, address our affordable housing crisis, and improve homeless services in our community. In her next term, she promises to remain committed to honoring the Native Tribes and Nations of the Salish Sea, promoting economic resilience by supporting policies that preserve industry while protecting workers and the environment, and supporting family and child welfare programs. Councilmember Galloway is a true champion of the Riveters Collective platform and we are excited to endorse her for reelection.
District 2 – Elizabeth Boyle is a champion for justice system improvements and community health and well-being. As a leader for All Hands Whatcom and the MAC Opioid group, Elizabeth worked to break down barriers between people with lived experience, policy makers, and legal experts to increase understanding of how substance use, behavioral health, and the criminal legal system intersect. Elizabeth has a track record of lifting voices and creating opportunities for those who have often been unheard; we see this in her work with our tribal neighbors, as a volunteer creating equitable opportunities for youth, and in support of people who are unhoused.
If elected, Elizabeth promises to build further upon this commitment through inclusive community involvement, housing solutions like year-round shelters and tiny home villages to prevent sprawl, as well as by supporting climate action, affordable childcare, and oversight of allocated behavioral health funding.
District 3 – Jessica Rienstra champions healthier, safer, and more connected communities. As a psychiatric nurse practitioner and educator, she dedicates her work to providing high-quality, culturally responsive care to rural and underserved communities regionally, while also mentoring health professionals nationwide. Her decades of frontline experience and systems-level leadership underscore her deep expertise in healthcare and education, emphasizing dignity and accountability.
Jessica’s goals align with community values, aiming to improve mental health services and educational opportunities. She supports early learning, coordinated school services connecting health, housing, and education, and vocational options. Jessica excels at uniting people to find solutions through shared values. Her commitment to inclusive, well-funded education and public health infrastructure brings a practical, compassionate approach to policy-making focused on the stability, opportunity, and well-being of all Whatcom County residents.
Bellingham City Council
Ward 2 – Leah’s history with civic engagement is solid; she sees civic participation as an indicator of community well being. In her words, ”Civic life is not just a democratic value—it’s a determinant of health, and I’m committed to building systems that reflect that truth.” Leah brings a strong blend of policy, public health, and community leadership, with a clear commitment to equity, transparency, and civic engagement. Her work includes leading state-level data equity efforts, advancing access to healthcare, and creating tools for public accountability. We especially appreciate her work to advance the Whatcom County Ombuds Resolution. With experience in both systems change and grassroots advocacy, Leah offers principled, effective leadership rooted in collaboration and inclusion. If elected, she seeks to develop stronger relationships with Tribes and Nations of the Salish Sea. We are also encouraged by her commitment to data transparency. Leah believes that “information means fairness” and that true government oversight requires that our systems be understandable and accessible to people. We agree, and we are excited to endorse Leah for Bellingham City Council.
Ward 4 – Incumbent Skip Williams’ top priority is community eco-system health and protecting our drinking water. Skip works to ensure cooperation of city and county reps, as well as the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District, to protect the lake by limiting development in natural areas, and updating storm water systems and treatment to protect the watershed. He is also committed to preserving and improving Bellingham’s tree canopy.
Skip believes housing availability and affordability must be addressed to provide for stability, health and the well-being of the community. He is committed to revising zoning policies and permitting processes to increase housing density and supply in mixed neighborhoods with housing at different price points, and he promises to allocate funding to non-profit partners to provide more affordable housing. Skip consistently supports ordinances and state legislation that protects renters. His record, advocacy, and actions align with priorities that will serve our community well.
Ward 6 – We carefully reviewed the responses of both candidates in this race – Michael Lilliquist and Andrew Reding. We were unable to reach a consensus for endorsement. Both are well-known in our community and demonstrate a wealth of experience. We’re confident that through their individual approaches, each will effectively champion a progressive agenda that aligns with our platform.
At-Large – We’ve had the privilege of working directly with Jace Cotton and have consistently been impressed. He’s dedicated to making housing a top priority as is evident in his advocacy for rent stabilization, parking reform, and middle housing infill, alongside updating the Multifamily Housing Tax Exemption to include permanently affordable housing. Jace also champions economic equity and access, notably through ordinances supporting renters and mobile home owners and strong union backing for Peace Health and WWU. In addition to all this, he’s committed to creating strong community partnerships. We’re excited to retain Jace as a councilmember.
Looking ahead, Jace commits to prioritizing city workers and services through budget challenges, enacting zoning and code changes for diverse housing options including tiny homes, implementing junk fee ordinances, and expanding vital public health and safety programs like ART and Opportunity Council’s HOT.
*We narrowed our scope for endorsements to Whatcom County and City of Bellingham races only. Notably, we did not receive requests for endorsement from any of the candidates running for Whatcom County Council – At Large or the City of Bellingham Port Commission.