Primary election: Crowded field vying for Whatcom County Council District 3 seat
Three candidates are challenging County Councilman Tyler Byrd of Sudden Valley in the election for Whatcom County Council District 3, which encompasses a rural areas north, east and south of Bellingham.
Byrd is seeking a third straight term. The district includes the cities of Everson, Nooksack and Sumas, along with the foothill communities of Kendall, Maple Falls and Glacier, the South Fork Valley communities of Acme, Clipper and Van Zandt, and Geneva and Sudden Valley east of Bellingham.
District 3 is one of five County Council districts. There are also two at-large members on the seven-member council.
The County Council makes laws, appoints members of advisory committees and controls the purse through its budget authority. All County Council races are nonpartisan. Only registered voters in District 3 can vote in this race.
Under Washington state’s primary rules, the two candidates with the most votes will advance to the Nov. 4 general election.
Jessica Rienstra
Jessica Rienstra of Nooksack works as a psychiatric nurse practitioner and has a business providing remote telehealth. She is an elected member of the 2025 Charter Review Commission, which meets every 10 years to consider changes to the Whatcom County Charter, which is like its constitution.
Rienstra lives in Nooksack and grew up in Lynden. She was home-schooled and also attended Bellingham Christian and Lynden Public schools. She earned a master’s degree in nursing from Gonzaga University by working her way from nursing assistant to nurse practitioner — studying at Whatcom Community College, Bellingham Technical College, and earning a BS in nursing from Western Washington University. She provided medical relief work and aid delivery in Mozambique and Sudan and set up and managed a pediatric health clinic for a children’s home in Madagascar.
Rienstra told The Herald that she sees isolation and lack of services for rural residents as a key issue in her district.
“In rural areas, people are often physically cut off from things many take for granted: basic health care, steady internet, safe housing, or even nearby neighbors,” Rienstra said in an email. “But isolation isn’t just physical. It’s also social. When people don’t have connection or support, it wears on mental health, weakens communities, and makes it harder to get back on your feet when something goes wrong. You see it in seniors who live alone without transit options. In kids who struggle with anxiety or depression but can’t access care close to home. In families who drive long distances just to get to work, school or a doctor. And in people working two jobs who still can’t afford to live near where they work.”
“To fix this, we need to bring the basics closer to where people are. That means improving broadband and public transit. Making sure there’s housing people can actually afford. Supporting local health services, especially mental health and recovery programs. And creating and supporting places where people can connect, like parks, libraries, or community centers.”
She has endorsements from the Nooksack Indian Tribe; the 40th and 42nd Legislative District Democrats; several labor unions, including Bellingham-Whatcom Firefighters IAFF Local 106; the Sierra Club; Alliance for Gun Responsibility; the Washington Housing Alliance Action Fund; and the Riveters Collective.
Rienstra raised $21,323 for her campaign through July 22, according to the Public Disclosure Commission. About half that total was from individual contributions.
Tyler Byrd
Tyler Byrd, who is with MacAuthority, has spent more than 20 years in financial services and business management. He serves on the County Council’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee and the Finance and Administrative Services Committee.
In his role as a County Council member, Byrd told The Herald he demands accountability and seeks to streamline county operations through data-driven financial decisions.
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“Whatcom County’s most pressing issue is financial mismanagement and unsustainable spending,” Byrd told The Herald in an email. “Years of inadequate financial oversight and prioritizing short-term political gains over long-term stability have strained essential county systems, leaving funding accounts over spent and critical infrastructure as well as vital public services underfunded and vulnerable. Without immediate and decisive action, residents face increased taxes, diminished public safety, and deteriorating quality of life.”
He cited specifics such as reducing demand for more office space through remote work and leasing buildings rather than buying them.
“I have consistently advocated for comprehensive financial reviews, transparent budgeting processes, and strategic investments that provide measurable returns. My recent budget analysis highlights specific instances where better leadership could significantly improve financial outcomes, reduce wasteful spending, and better protect taxpayer dollars,” Byrd told The Herald in an email.
At his website, Byrd lists endorsements including Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Richie, Mayor Scott Korthuis, Charter Review Commission member Hannah Ordos, former Ferndale Mayor Jon Mutchler, former Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo, former Whatcom County Council member Kathy Kershner and County Council member Ben Elenbaas. In addition, he is endorsed by the Whatcom Republicans.
Byrd raised $28,708 for his campaign through July 22, according to the Public Disclosure Commission. About half that total was from individual contributions. Nearly all of the $9,500 Byrd has raised during this election cycle is from individual donors.
“Good leadership isn’t doing what ever it takes to get ahead, win, or benefiting yourself. It’s about listening to others, doing what’s right — even when when it’s hard — being consistent, telling the truth, and more. I invite you to learn more about the rules of leadership. These are the rules I created for myself, so I could be the role model my children are one day proud to follow,” Byrd said at his website.
Kyle Christensen
Kyle Christensen is a former mayor of Sumas and flood recovery manager for Whatcom County. He is director of the Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group. He has been a Umatilla County (Ore.) sheriff’s deputy, a volunteer firefighter in Tillamook, Umatilla and Sumas and a real estate agent. He has served on several government committees, including the Whatcom County Housing Advisory Committee.
As mayor of Sumas, Christensen was a key figure in the floods of January 2020 and November 2021, helping residents know what was coming and how to prepare, and later organizing disaster response and directing recovery efforts.
“As the mayor of Sumas during the 2021 Nooksack food, I led Sumas and the surrounding communities through the greatest crisis in a century. Afterward, I managed Whatcom County’s recovery process, built relationships, and secured resources to restore our county and address ongoing flooding. We must do everything we can to protect life and property from future flooding disasters,” Christensen told The Bellingham Herald in an email.
According to his campaign website, Christensen is endorsed by the Whatcom Republicans, Sumas Mayor Bruce Bosch, Everson Mayor John Perry, Nooksack Mayor Kevin Hester, Lynden Mayor Scott Korthuis and Whatcom County Council member Mark Stremler.
He raised $22,315 for his campaign through July 22, according to the Public Disclosure Commission. Almost all of that total was from individual contributions.
“We will champion investments in infrastructure, broadband, economic growth, and emergency services, ensuring no corner of our district is overlooked. I’ll work to lower, not raise, your property taxes, because affordability matters. Together, we’ll protect our water, support local logging, and collaborate with state and federal leaders to solve the Nooksack River’s long-standing issues. It’s time to stop reacting to disasters and start preparing for them — because our communities deserve nothing less,” Christensen told The Herald.
Daniel Probst
Daniel Probst of Acme is a trail ultrarunner and race director. He previously worked in metal fabrication.
In an email to The Herald, Probst said the county’s biggest challenge is affordable housing.
“I will work to identify where the roadblocks are and clean up outdated code and provide a clear path so we can get permits out the door more efficiently. I’ll also focus on making sure we hire the best people to serve the public and that they have the tools and support they need to excel,” he said.
He said he wants to make government more accessible and responsive.
“I want to uplift the people already doing the heavy lifting, our business owners, community and tribal leaders, volunteer organizations, and everyday residents working to make a difference. I plan to ask the hard questions, and ensure our government follows through. I will focus on solutions that make a measurable difference in people’s lives today. We have to walk and chew gum at the same time and not make excuses. I believe we can do that,” Probst said.
Probst raised $2,590 for his campaign through July 22, according to the Public Disclosure Commission. Almost all of that total was from individual contributions.
He lists endorsements from Whatcom County Council member Todd Donovan and former Whatcom County Council member Carol Frazey at his campaign website.
Election info
All voting is by mail in Washington. Ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. Aug. 5 and must be postmarked — not simply mailed — by that time. Postage is free. Ballots can also be placed in one of 20 special drop boxes located around Whatcom County.
In-person services are in Suite 103 of the Whatcom County Courthouse at 311 Grand Ave. Auditor’s Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Election Day hours are 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Those who didn’t receive a ballot should contact the Auditor’s Office at 360-778-5000 or elections@co.whatcom.wa.us.
U.S. citizens can register to vote, update their registration and get a replacement ballot online or at the office. Registration and voting aids are available. An accessible voting unit is equipped with visual and audio technology. Voters requiring assistance can vote on the accessible voting unit starting July 16.
Voter registration and address changes online or by mail must be received at the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office by July 28. Address changes and voter registration are available in the Auditor’s Office until 8 p.m. Aug. 5.
This story was originally published July 24, 2025 at 3:45 PM.
