Port of Bellingham commissioner announces he’ll run for state Senate seat
Port of Bellingham Commissioner Michael Alvarez Shepard announced Monday that he will be seeking to replace state Sen. Sharon Shewmake in the 42nd Legislative District, who is not running for re-election next year.
Shepard, a Democrat, is the first candidate to declare an intent to run for the seat, telling The Bellingham Herald that early fundraising can boost a campaign.
“We’re just trying to start early and get ahead of things. These are really big shoes to fill,” Shepard said in a phone call.
According to his campaign website, Shepard has already secured support from key Whatcom County elected officials, including Shewmake, Lummi Nation Chairman Tony Hillaire and Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu.
Shepard told The Herald that, if elected, he would focus on not only on legislation to ease the housing crisis, but also on the broader economic impact of inflation and tariffs on Whatcom County residents. He’s also campaign for state funding to boost an aquatic center that could bring regional tourist dollars to the area.
Shepard has served two terms representing the Port of Bellingham’s First District, which includes most of Bellingham and rural areas to the south and east. He is an instructor at Western Washington University and has taught at Northwest Indian College and Whatcom Community College, according to an emailed statement.
“We’re facing big challenges — and real opportunities,” Shepard said in his statement. “From strengthening our schools and building an economy that works for everyone to addressing public safety and protecting the quality of life that makes Whatcom County special, we need leaders who listen, collaborate, and deliver results. With Donald Trump in the White House, we also need leaders who will stand up for our values, especially due to Whatcom County’s economic impacts from the loss of Canadian visitors and higher costs due to tariffs. That’s why I’m running for state Senate.”
Shepard cites several key accomplishments during his time as a Port commissioner, including:
- Modernization and reactivation of the Bellingham Shipping Terminal, and securing $18 million in federal funds rail access.
- Development of the Bellingham Waterfront District, including the container village, pump track and the Millworks low-income housing development.
- Completed environmental cleanups in Fairhaven, Squalicum, Blaine and the Whatcom Waterway.
