The City of Nooksack has a new mayor. The city council appointed former councilmember Marshall Judy to the position at their July 20 meeting, filling the seat left vacant by the death of Kevin Hester, who passed away in June following a battle with cancer. Judy's appointment takes effect immediately, and his term will run through the 2027 general election.
Kevin Hester's Legacy in Nooksack
Kevin Hester served as mayor of Nooksack for more than four years, a period during which the small Whatcom County city navigated budget challenges, infrastructure needs, and the disruptions of the pandemic years. The council honored Hester at the July 20 meeting with a formal resolution recognizing his public service and his commitment to the community he led.
Hester was a familiar and respected figure in Nooksack, a city of roughly 1,500 residents tucked into the agricultural flatlands of eastern Whatcom County between Lynden and Everson. Small cities like Nooksack depend heavily on the dedication of elected officials who take on significant responsibility for modest or no compensation, and Hester embodied that commitment over his years in office. His death in June came as a loss not just to his family but to the broader community he served.
Who Is Marshall Judy
Marshall Judy brought direct civic experience to the mayor's appointment, having previously served on the Nooksack City Council before being named to the top position. That prior council service means he is already familiar with the city's budget, staff, ongoing projects, and the relationships between local government and the Nooksack community.
Appointed mayors in Washington state typically serve until the next scheduled general election, at which point the position appears on the ballot for a full elected term. In Judy's case, that means his appointment runs through the 2027 general election, giving him roughly a year to establish himself in the role before facing voters. If he chooses to run in 2027, he will carry the advantage of incumbency; if he does not, the seat will be open for any candidate who files.
The council's process for filling an appointed mayoral vacancy in a city Nooksack's size is relatively straightforward: council members typically consider individuals who are already familiar with city operations, whether through prior council service, municipal employment, or deep community involvement. Judy's council background made him a natural choice for the appointment.
Filling Judy's Council Seat
Judy's move from council member to mayor means his former council seat is now vacant, and the city is in the process of finding a replacement. Washington law allows city councils to appoint someone to fill a vacant council seat, and the appointed person serves until the next general election at which the seat appears on the ballot.
The city has not yet publicly announced a timeline or process for accepting applications for the council vacancy. Residents of Nooksack who are interested in serving on the council are encouraged to contact City of Nooksack staff for information on eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Nooksack is one of ten cities in Whatcom County and is part of the broader community of small municipalities that collectively provide a significant share of local government services across the county. The Whatcom County Council works alongside these cities on regional issues including transportation, water quality, and emergency management. For more on recent Whatcom County civic leadership news, earlier reporting on the August 4 primary results has context on the broader political landscape the new mayor will be operating in.
