September 23, 2020, Online: Election Forums
The Races:
Superior Court Judges Positions 2 & 4
Superior courts are called general jurisdiction courts, because there is no limit on the types of civil and criminal cases heard. Superior courts also have authority to hear cases appealed from courts of limited jurisdiction. Superior court judges are elected to four-year terms. Vacancies between elections are filled by appointment of the Governor.
Public Utility District No. 1 Commissioner
Public Utility District No. 1 is governed by a Board of Commissioners comprised of three local citizens elected on a nonpartisan basis by Whatcom County residents. A PUD Commissioner is elected every two years during the general election to serve a six-year term.
The Commission establishes PUD policies, set rates, adopts system plans for electric and water utilities, and approves revenue obligations. In addition to guiding PUD operations, the Commissioners appoint the general manager.
The Candidates:
Superior Court Judge Position 2
Judge Deborra Garrett is not running for reelection for position 2.
James Erb is the Senior Assistant City Attorney for Bellingham.
Evan Jones is a Deputy Prosecutor for the Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney’s office
Superior Court Judge Position 4
David E. Freeman was appointed to the Whatcom County Superior Court in 2020 when Judge Raquel Montoya-Lewis was appointed to the Washington Supreme Court.
Jim Nelson has worked as a private attorney for 31 years.
Public Utility District (PUD) District 1 Commissioner
Christine Grant teaches energy policy at Western Washington University’s Institute for Energy Studies.
Jeff McClure is an architect and founding partner of RMC Architects in Bellingham seeking his third six year term.
Coming October 7: Will Your Vote Count?
Please note CHANGE IN DATE. Register in advance at no charge by clicking here
Fraud, Slow Mail Delivery, Voter Suppression!
Is it any wonder hearing these statements thrown around on the nightly news we are worried about the safety of our vote and the integrity of our election?
Join us for a presentation by Whatcom County Auditor, Diana Bradrick who will help us to understand the nuts and bolts of running a major election during a pandemic. From processing the registration forms for new voters to ensuring an accurate count, the Elections Division is responsible for assuring the security and accuracy of the upcoming election while making sure that every citizen who wants to vote is able to vote and every ballot that is cast is counted. What are the best ideas to be sure your vote is counted?
Diana Bradrick was elected Whatcom County Auditor for the term starting in January, 2020. Before her election as Auditor, she was the Chief Deputy Auditor and Election Supervisor for Whatcom County from October 2012. Bradrick is a Certified Elections Administrator for the State of Washington, has administered over 40 elections in various counties, and has been an active participant in the VOTE WA statewide voter registration system project since its inception. Currently she serves on the Steering Committee. She is a Washington native and holds a MBA from Portland State University.
2020 Washington Debate Coalition Debates
The Washington Debate Coalition will host two debates this year between candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Washington. Bellingham City Club is a founding member of the WA Debate Coalition.
- October 7: Gubernatorial debate features Gov. Jay Inslee and Republic Police Chief Loren Culp
- October 22: Lieutenant governor debate features State Sen. Marko Liias and US Rep. Denny Heck (WA-10)
The October 7 debate between Inslee and Culp will be broadcast live from 8 – 9 p.m. immediately following the Vice-Presidential Debate.
The October 22 debate will air from 8 – 9 p.m. immediately following that evening’s Presidential debates.
All debates will air live on TVW and be streamed by multiple media partners. See Washington State Debate Coalition (WSDC), a web site of Seattle City Club, for more information.
Coming November 11: Sports and Resistance
Activist American Athletes at the Intersection of Sports and Politics
Please note CHANGE IN DATE. Registration in advance at no charge will be required.
Dave Zirin, sports editor of The Nation magazine, will discuss the intersection of sports, culture and politics. Zirin also produces a weekly blog, edgeofsports.com, and is the author of 10 books, including “A People’s History of Sports in the United States” and “Game Over: How Politics Has Turned the Sports World Upside Down.”