Preliminary results from the August 4, 2026 primary election began posting after 8 p.m. Tuesday as the Whatcom County Auditor's Office tallied ballots from drop boxes and mail-in returns across the county. As of the initial count, 40,572 ballots had been cast out of 169,656 registered voters in Whatcom County, representing roughly 24 percent turnout. Results will not be certified until August 18, and additional ballot counts will post in the coming days as the auditor processes remaining mail-ins.
Federal and State Legislative Races
In the race for U.S. Representative in Congressional District 2, incumbent Democrat Rick Larsen led with 38.23 percent of the vote in preliminary results, followed closely by Republican challenger Edwin H. Feller at 36.94 percent. Progressive Democrats Tomas Scheel and Devin Hermanson trailed with 14.28 percent and 10.49 percent respectively. Washington uses a Top 2 Primary system, meaning the two candidates with the most votes advance to the November general election regardless of party. Larsen and Feller appear headed for a November showdown.
The open State Senate seat in Legislative District 42 drew significant attention after incumbent Senator Sharon Shewmake chose not to seek re-election. Republican Erika Creydt led that race with 46.02 percent. Two Democratic candidates, Port of Bellingham Commissioner Michael Alvarez Shepard and Planning Commission member Eamonn Collins, were running nearly neck and neck at 27.02 and 24.45 percent respectively. Ryan Bowman, who declared no party preference, took 2.44 percent. Creydt and Alvarez Shepard appear positioned to advance to November.
In the Legislative District 42 House races, incumbent Democrat Alicia Rule led Position 1 with 54.70 percent over Republican challenger Misty Flowers at 45.08 percent. For Position 2, incumbent Democrat Joe Timmons held 52.53 percent to Republican Justin Pike's 47.33 percent. Both incumbents appear likely to advance. Further south in Legislative District 40, covering parts of Whatcom, Skagit, and San Juan counties, incumbent Democrat Debra Lekanoff led Position 1 with 78.14 percent, while Alex Ramel led Position 2 with 73.20 percent.
Whatcom County Races: Prosecutor and Port
The Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney race is one of the more competitive and closely watched contests on the ballot. Ryan Swinburnson, who runs without a party preference and does not currently work in the prosecutor's office, led with 39.48 percent in initial returns. Three Democrats split the remaining field: Jesse Corkern at 21.65 percent, Dona Bracke at 19.98 percent, and Erik Sigmar at 18.76 percent. Swinburnson and Corkern appear positioned to advance, though the gap between the three Democrats is narrow enough that the order could shift as more ballots are counted.
Two new Port of Bellingham commissioner seats appeared on the ballot for the first time following the port's expansion. District 4, covering the north inland region of Whatcom County including Lynden, saw Paul Burrill lead with 30.73 percent, followed by Tor Benson at 24.67 percent and Samantha Cruz-Mendoza at 18.17 percent. District 5, covering the east county including Lake Whatcom and areas toward Maple Falls, showed Chris Elder leading with 40.67 percent, followed by Shawn Ensley at 21.81 percent and Todd Lagestee at 17.79 percent.
Levy Results and What Happens Next
Several local levies also appeared on the August ballot, with results expected to firm up as counting continues. Residents in Lynden and Fire Protection District 1 were deciding on levy lid lifts for public safety and essential services. Bellingham voters weighed in on three city propositions, including one that would allow the salary commission to set the mayor's salary, one streamlining electronic signatures in city contracts, and Initiative 2026-01 prohibiting algorithmic price-fixing for rental rates.
The Whatcom County Auditor's Office will continue posting updated results in the days ahead. The primary election will be certified on August 18, 2026. Voters can check current unofficial results at results.votewa.gov and reach the auditor's office at 360-778-5102 or elections@co.whatcom.wa.us with questions. For background on what the Bellingham ballot propositions would do, the auditor is also still seeking volunteers to write opposition committee statements by August 10, a process covered in a related story on recent Whatcom County civic decisions.
