Both Whatcom District 1 candidates are concerned about climate. One has double the funding
Kaylee Galloway and Eddy Ury, the top two candidates in a three-way Aug. 3 primary, are running for Whatcom County Council District 1.
Councilman Rud Browne isn’t seeking a third four-year term for the district that includes downtown Bellingham and its southern neighborhoods, as well as Western Washington University. Only registered voters in District 1 can vote for this position.
Browne has endorsed Galloway, who got 55% of the primary vote.
Ballots were mailed Wednesday, Oct. 13, and must be postmarked — not simply mailed — or placed in ballot drop boxes by 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2.
Ury, who polled 28% in the primary, recently left his job at RE Sources for Sustainable Communities, where he had worked for seven years, most recently as climate and energy policy manager.
He has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Western Washington University and works with the Whatcom Housing Alliance and the Bellingham Tenants Union.
Ury, a Bellingham resident, is now a private consultant.
He convened and facilitated a group of oil industry and environmental representatives who were working on new Whatcom County regulations for the Cherry Point industrial zone.
Those landmark measures regulating the oil industry were unanimously approved at the County Council’s July 27 meeting.
“The legislation’s final form is set to institute innovative development restrictions for existing industries that impose more stringent environmental review and safety compliance standards for upgrade proposals, preventing existing oil terminals from ever being used primarily for transshipment purposes, and completely closing the door to new fossil fuel terminals, refineries or plants,” Ury told The Bellingham Herald.
“I was the leading environmental advocate in county procedures pushing for these rules, facing enormous opposition from some of Whatcom County’s (and the world’s) most powerful interest groups,” Ury said. “I learned how to craft legally sound municipal code effectively and apply leverage purposefully in negotiations. I’ve come away with a deep understanding of environmental policy and regulations pertaining to oil refineries and other major industries, and have built lasting relationships all around our county’s communities.”
Climate change remains a key concern, Ury told The Herald.
“I aim to enact zoning updates to development regulations for clean energy facilities (including wind turbines and energy storage), secure funding for major public projects, adopt time-bound plans and policies for total electrification of all municipal facilities by 2030, support the creation of an Executive Office of Climate Action, and oversee the implementation of innovative energy policies enacted this year: C-PACER and Cherry Point amendments,” he said.
Housing is also a priority, and Ury said the county must build thousands of affordable units, preserve existing housing and support renters’ rights, eviction prevention and rapid re-housing assistance.
“I will urgently push for the county to designate property and allocate funding for permanently affordable housing projects, multiple emergency shelters for a range of needs, ‘tiny home villages,’ and free public camping areas,” he said. “We need expanded and improved mental health care and addiction recovery services, with higher labor standards for fair compensation and benefits for the essential workers on the front lines, serving and saving lives.”
He also said he would improve Health Department functions in supporting the unsheltered and service providers and include unsheltered people directly in planning processes.
Ury has raised more than $22,668 for his campaign through Oct. 21, mostly from individual donors in amounts below $500, according to PDC reports.
He’s endorsed by state Rep. Alex Ramel; Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu and Assessor Rebecca Xczar, and County Council members Todd Donovan and Barry Buchanan; along with TeeJay Morris, founder of the Bellingham Unity Committee.
He has further support from the Riveters Collective, the Whatcom Democrats, 40th District Democrats, 42nd District Democrats, Young Democrats of WWU, the Sierra Club, the Washington Conservation Voters, SEIU Local 925 and SEIU Healthcare Local 1199.
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Galloway, a legislative aide for 40th District state Rep. Debra Lekanoff and a former aide to U.S. Rep. Suzan DeBene and U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, also serves on the Whatcom County Climate Impact Advisory Committee and the Bellingham Community Development Advisory Board. She has a bachelor of arts degree from Western Washington University and a master’s degree in policy studies from the University of Washington at Bothell.
“Serving at every level of government has deepened my knowledge and understanding of government processes and how to be an effective policymaker, leader, and community advocate,” Galloway told The Herald in her reply to a questionnaire.
“My multidisciplinary approach and balanced perspective helps bring people together to find common ground and solve complex problems. Working at the local, state, and federal levels, I have developed strong relationships and an understanding of the issues we face. I understand how the system works and my experiences will make me an effective leader, policymaker, and community advocate,” she said.
She cited four priorities, including business and economic development, climate change, housing and homelessness, and public safety and criminal justice reform.
“I want to be a voice for those who have been historically underrepresented at the tables where decisions are made — this means empowering those around me to create a collaborative and inclusive environment to make community-driven policy,” Galloway said. “I want to see more young people get involved in public service and continue to advocate against injustices and for protecting our environment and economy. Understanding the threat of climate change and seeing its impacts has instilled a sense of urgency for the need to act.”
Galloway has raised more than $51,914 in contributions through Oct. 21, mostly from private donors.
She received $2,000 from the Washington State Education Association PAC and the Teamsters Legislative League; $1,500 from the grocery workers union, UCFW 21; and $1,000 from the Nooksack Indian Tribe and the electricians union, IBEW Local 191.
Her endorsements include the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Indian Tribe; Bellingham/Whatcom County Firefighters Local 106; several federal and state legislators: U.S. Reps. Suzan DelBene and Rick Larson, as well as state Reps. Lekanoff, Sharon Shewmake and Alicia Rule, along with state Sen. Liz Lovelett. She has further endorsements from Bellingham Mayor Seth Fleetwood, County Executive Satpal Sidhu, and County Council members Todd Donovan, Carol Frazey and Barry Buchanan.
