Bellingham Democrat facing three challengers for Whatcom County 40th House
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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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Three candidates — two independents and one who states no party preference — are challenging state Rep. Alex Ramel, D-Bellingham, for the 40th District state House position 2, one of two seats that the district has in the state House.
The 40th District includes southern Whatcom County, San Juan County and part of 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. Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot.
Salomon Rodrigue Mbouombouo
Salomon Rodrigue Mbouombouo of Burlington is running as an independent.
According to his candidate statement, he is a board member of the Washington State Association of Head Start and Early Child Education Assistance Program. He was head of the Skagit/Island Head Start Policy Council from 2023 to 2025.
Mbouombouo earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Oklahoma. He did pre-medical coursework and research at Western Washington University and Skagit Valley College.
“With my background in engineering and community health, I see our region as a system where one instability can trigger many others,” he said in his candidate statement. “I think of residents working multiple jobs, caring for families, and facing long commutes because housing nearby is out of reach. When transportation fails or childcare falls through, everything, classroom and workplace, collapses. Rising costs tighten everything. Each pressure point amplifies the next. My systems-thinking lens identifies these load-bearing components. I will bring engineering precision to stabilize core pillars that strengthen our entire regional structure.”
He doesn’t list a campaign website or social media and didn’t respond to an emailed request for additional information. He also didn’t respond to several requests from the League of Women Voters of Bellingham-Whatcom County to participate in an interview, according to their website.
In addition, Mbouombouo lists no campaign fundraising with the state Public Disclosure Commission, which tracks political spending.
Alex Ramel
Alex Ramel has held the seat since January 2020, when he was appointed to fill a vacancy. He is seeking his fourth full term in the Legislature.
In the Legislature, Ramel is the House majority whip — a post that is responsible for keeping party members aligned with the party leadership’s position on legislation. He serves on the joint Energy Strategy Advisory Committee and joint State Building Code Council. He is on the House Environment and Energy, Transportation, Finance and Rules committees.
When the Legislature is not in session, Ramel is a public policy consultant. He earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental policy and planning from Western Washington University.
“As program director at Sustainable Connections, I founded the Community Energy Challenge, creating living-wage jobs, cutting pollution, and reducing energy costs for thousands of people and businesses in Whatcom, Skagit, and San Juan counties,” he said in his candidate’s statement.
“I’m proud to have been part of the team that passed both the millionaires tax and that passed rent stabilization Each of those will make a huge difference in the cost of living for many, many people in Washington,” Ramel told The Bellingham Herald in an email.
He’s most proud of his work last session on HB 1960, which reforms the way the state taxes wind and solar farms and utility-scale batteries.
“We found a compromise that benefits clean energy developers, but was also strongly supported by counties and the other local governments. It will help bring down energy costs, improve reliability, and encourage clean energy while improving local government revenue for services like schools and roads. There aren’t many bills on renewable energy and taxes that get broad bipartisan support; this compromise took two years to get to, but I’m really proud of it,” Ramel said.
In an interview with the League of Women Voters of Bellingham-Whatcom County, Ramel criticized the state tax structure that he said puts to high a burden on lower- and middle-income Washington residents.
“Those who make the most pay the least in state and local taxes — almost three times less as a percentage,” he said.
According to his campaign website, Ramel is endorsed by the Whatcom Democrats and a broad range of unions, social justice, environmental and political organizations, including the Washington Housing Alliance Action Fund, United Food and Commercial Workers 3000 and Planned Parenthood.
Ramel reported that he had raised $59,048 through July 16, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission, which tracks political spending. That includes more than $15,000 from individual contributions and $12,000 from political action committees.
Joseph Segault
Joseph Segault of Eastsound states no party preference. He provided no biographical material — including education, job history or public-service experience to the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office for his campaign statement and didn’t provide similar information to The Bellingham Herald, despite repeated requests.
“If you are happy with the direction things are moving, then do not vote for me. I am not all right with the economic pressure that is being forced on our local communities, through increased taxes, the rising cost of living and a lack of representation at the state level. This is our opportunity to implement positive change, and have the voice of the people heard in Olympia,” he told The Herald in an email.
“I don’t have some sort of broad-brush, got-it-all-figured-out solution for the budget,” he told the League of Women Voters of Bellingham-Whatcom County in a video interview.
Segault listed no campaign website or social media. He is the recommended candidate of the Whatcom Republicans.
In addition, he reported no campaign fundraising with the state Public Disclosure Commission, which tracks political spending.
Monte Jay Mahan
Monte Jay Mahan of Bellingham is running as an independent.
He is a board-certified hearing instrument specialist with his own business in Bellingham. He completed four years of a pre-med bachelor of science degree program at the University of Florida-Gainesville, with additional studies in natural resources and forestry.
“I donate hearing aids and all my services to low-income patients in need. Over the years we have been able to help hundreds of people in this area hear better through the Miracle-Ear Foundation,” Mahan said in his candidate statement.
At his campaign website, Mahan urges government accountability, cost-of-living relief and responsible housing growth, but provides few specifics. He lists no endorsements.
“I lean socially liberal, but if we keep voting straight down the Democratic ticket, you might be getting career politicians who vote without the normal citizens in mind. Recent decisions keep increasing costs that burden our area and decrease people’s disposable income. Taxes, utility increases, government salary increases, and over regulation need to be balanced with the reality of what citizens can afford these days,” Mahan said in his candidate statement.
Mahan reported no campaign fundraising with the state Public Disclosure Commission, which tracks political spending.
