Whatcom County's August 4, 2026 primary election produced clear frontrunners in most races and one razor-thin result in the 42nd Legislative District State Senate contest that may not be settled until ballots are fully counted. By 5 p.m. Friday, August 7, election officials had processed 72,309 ballots out of 170,159 registered voters, placing turnout at 42 percent. Ballot counting continues as mail-in votes postmarked by Election Day arrive and are verified.

Washington's top-two primary system sends the leading vote-getters in each race regardless of party to the November general election. In most Whatcom County contests, the top two finishers were clear. The exception was the 42nd District Senate seat, where a nine-vote margin separated second and third place, raising the prospect of a recount once all ballots are tabulated.

42nd District Senate: Nine Votes Separate Second and Third Place

The most closely watched result of the night came in the State Senate race for the 42nd Legislative District, which covers eastern Whatcom County including Ferndale, Lynden, and surrounding rural areas. Republican Erika Creydt led the field with 21,986 votes and 44.60 percent, a comfortable first-place finish. Behind her, Democrat Michael Alvarez Shepard held second with 13,023 votes and 26.42 percent, just nine votes ahead of fellow Democrat Eamonn Collins at 13,014 votes and 26.40 percent. Ryan Bowman, stating no party preference, received 1,234 votes at 2.50 percent.

Nine votes separates a November appearance from elimination at the primary stage. As additional ballots arrive, that gap could widen or close entirely. Whatcom County election procedures require a mandatory recount when the margin between candidates falls within a threshold percentage, and this race appears likely to qualify. The Whatcom County Auditor's Office will provide updated tallies as the count continues.

Congressional District 2 and State Legislative Races

In the U.S. House race for Congressional District 2, incumbent Democrat Rick Larsen led with 85,750 votes and 42.54 percent. Republican Edwin H. Feller was second with 65,688 votes at 32.59 percent, advancing to face Larsen in November. Democrats Tomas Scheel (28,083 votes, 13.93 percent) and Devin Hermanson (21,865 votes, 10.85 percent) did not advance.

In the 40th District, which includes Bellingham and the San Juan Islands, incumbent Democrat Debra Lekanoff dominated the Position 1 race with 73.21 percent of the vote over Republican Cindy Carter at 26.66 percent. Position 2 incumbent Alex Ramel also advanced comfortably, earning 68.29 percent against a divided field.

In the 42nd District House races, Democrat Alicia Rule led Position 1 with 56.18 percent against Republican Misty Flowers at 43.62 percent. Position 2 saw Democrat Joe Timmons at 53.81 percent ahead of Republican Justin Pike at 46.07 percent. Both general election matchups will be competitive in November.

Whatcom County Local Races: Prosecuting Attorney and Port Commission

The Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney race produced no majority winner, as expected in a four-way field. Ryan Swinburnson led with 38.33 percent of the vote (26,685 votes). Jesse Corkern finished second at 21.72 percent (15,121 votes), advancing to November. Dona Bracke received 20.97 percent (14,598 votes) and Erik Sigmar 18.83 percent (13,106 votes). Swinburnson and Corkern move to the general election.

Two Port of Bellingham Commissioner seats were on the primary ballot. In District 4, Paul Burrill led with 30.23 percent (4,059 votes) and Tor Benson was second at 24.16 percent (3,244 votes), with four other candidates splitting the remainder. In District 5, Chris Elder led with 41.39 percent (5,414 votes) and Shawn Ensley was second at 21.40 percent (2,799 votes). The Port of Bellingham oversees the commercial waterfront, marinas, and significant economic infrastructure in Whatcom County; both commissioner races will have consequential outcomes for how the port develops over the next several years.

Statewide Judicial Races

Three Washington Supreme Court seats appeared on the ballot. In Position 1, Colleen Melody led statewide with 53.14 percent (864,174 votes), advancing against Scott Edwards at 29.15 percent. Position 3 produced a tight three-way race: David Stevens led with 35.04 percent, Jaime Michelle Hawk had 33.48 percent, and Mike Diaz received 31.48 percent. Only the top two advance, meaning Diaz was eliminated. Position 5 also went to three candidates, with Theo Angelis leading at 36.03 percent and Dave Larson second at 31.92 percent.

Full and updated results, including the latest ballot counts and any recount proceedings in the 42nd District Senate race, are available through the Whatcom County Elections Office. As of Friday afternoon, mail ballots postmarked by August 4 were still arriving and being processed. The county typically certifies primary results within three weeks of Election Day, meaning the official count will be finalized in late August. For voters watching the 42nd District Senate outcome closely, checking the elections office results page in the coming days will show whether that nine-vote margin holds or shifts. Background on how the primary ballot came together, including earlier coverage of the key races heading into Election Day, provides useful context for these results. The November general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.