Eastsound Republican challenges Lekanoff in Whatcom County’s 40th District
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2026 Primary Election Coverage
A collection of articles introducing candidates for Whatcom County’s Aug. 4 primary election.
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An Eastsound Republican is challenging state Rep. Debra Lekanoff, D-Anacortes, who is seeking a fifth straight two-year term for House Position 1 in the 40th Legislative District, one of two seats that the district has in the state House of Representatives.
The 40th District includes southern Whatcom County, San Juan County and part of western Skagit County. It has been solidly Democratic for two decades.
Ballots were mailed to all registered voters July 15 and must be postmarked — not just mailed — by 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, or returned to a special drop box by that time. Voters can check the status of their ballot at votewa.gov. Drop box locations, candidate statements and other election information is at the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office website.
According to the state’s “top two” primary rules, the two candidates with the most votes in the Aug. 4 primary will advance to the Nov. 3 general election, regardless of party affiliation. Since there are only two people running, both likely will advance. Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot.
Debra Lekanoff
State Rep. Debra Lekanoff of Anacortes is an Alaska Native who spent 20 years as governmental affairs director for the Swinomish Tribe before she was elected to the House in 2018. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance from Central Washington University.
In the Legislature, Lekanoff is vice chair of the Health Care and Wellness Committee and a member of the House’s Housing, Rules and Appropriations committees. She is also on the joint Pacific Fisheries Legislative Task Force, Governor’s Indian Health Advisory Council, Joint Legislative Committee on Water Supply During Drought and the Legislative Committee on Economic Development & International Relations.
She has championed recovery efforts for the state’s endangered salmon population and was instrumental in creating the statewide Missing Indigenous Person Alert System.
“I have known no greater calling than being a humble servant of the people,” Lekanoff said in June on her Facebook page. “Whether I am sitting in the river, at a constituent’s kitchen table, at dinner with a family, meeting with Tribal, local, state, and federal leaders, or listening to workers, union members, elders, and youth, one truth continues to guide me: Never forget where you come from, the community that raised you, and the people who walked beside you along the way.”
She is endorsed by the Whatcom Democrats and Gov. Bob Ferguson, the Washington State Labor Council, Lummi Nation, Washington Conservation Action, the Washington State Nurses Association, and Bellingham-Whatcom County Firefighters Local 106 of the International Association of Fire Fighters.
Lenkanoff reports total contributions of $69,789 through July 9, according to the Public Disclosure Commission, which tracks campaign fund-raising and spending.
Cindy Carter
Cindy Carter of Eastsound is running a campaign that is focused against the recent “millionaire’s tax,” according to her campaign website.
Carter, who has worked for five years in the chemistry lab at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, has a bachelor’s degree in medical technology. She has served as a precinct committee officer and as chair of the San Juan Republican Party, was well as serving as a state committee woman for the San Juan Republican Party and as founding member and previous chair of the Orcas Island Eagle Forum.
She hasn’t held elected office but has volunteered with nonprofits including the Buck Park Tennis Association and Buck Park Association. She co-coached girls softball and held leadership roles at Orcas Island Community Church, according to her candidate statement.
“My opponent voted for the statewide income tax against the will of the people. I will fight to repeal this unconstitutional tax before it forces every Washingtonian to register their personal financial information with the state. I am committed to bring fiscal responsibility back to the state,” Carter said.
Carter’s campaign is endorsed by the Republican Party organizations in San Juan, Skagit and Whatcom counties.
Carter reports total contributions of $4,060 through July 9, according to the Public Disclosure Commission, which tracks campaign fund-raising and spending. About $2,200 of that figure is from individual contributions and $1,000 from businesses.
