2026 Primary: Meet the candidates for Port of Bellingham Commission District 4
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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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Whatcom County voters will have the opportunity to choose between six candidates running for the Port of Bellingham Commission’s District 4 position in the Aug. 4 primary election.
It’s a newly added position — along with a District 5 position that’s also on the ballot — after Whatcom County residents voted overwhelmingly last year to approve an expansion of the commission from three to five seats.
There are currently three nonpartisan Port Commissioner positions that each represent a different district in Whatcom County. After voters approved the expansion, the district map was redrawn to align with the Whatcom County Council district map, although it is numbered differently.
The two candidates in each race who receive the most votes in the primary election will move forward to the Nov. 3 general election. The regular term for the new commissioners will begin Jan. 1.
The new commissioner receiving the highest number of votes in the general election will serve a three-year term, according to the Port’s website, and the other commissioner will serve a one-year term. The two new positions will be up for re-election in odd-numbered years.
Whatcom County elections officials were expected to mail ballots July 15.
Tim Chartier
Candidate-provided bio:
Tim Chartier is a lifelong public servant, commercial fisherman and community advocate with more than 25 years of service. He began his fire service career with the Baltimore City Fire Department before coming home to serve with the Lynden Fire Department. Through decades in public service, Chartier has built a reputation for calm leadership and putting people first. He holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science from the University of Maryland. He has supported local families through his work with the Bellingham/Whatcom County Local 106 Benevolent Fund and through years of volunteer public safety service in the community.
Why are you running for this position?
As Port Commissioner, I will focus on practical leadership, economic opportunity and protecting the industries that support local families. As a commercial fisherman and longtime public servant, I understand the importance of family-wage jobs, responsible growth, strong infrastructure and a thriving waterfront economy.
What do you believe is the primary issue currently facing the Port?
I believe the Port should work for all of Whatcom County by supporting local business, trade, agriculture and public safety partnerships. I will bring steady leadership, accountability and transparency while protecting the future of Whatcom County for the next generation.
Editor’s Note: This information was pulled from the candidate’s VoteWA Candidate Statement. It has been edited for length and clarity.
Dean Berkeley
Candidate-provided bio:
Dean Berkeley is a technologist and sales manager for Nord Gear and the former owner of West Coast Engineering Group. He was a volunteer firefighter from 1998 to 2014 and later served as the Fire District 21 commissioner from 2014 to 2020. He was also elected president of the DCCA community HOA. He attended the British Columbia Institute of technology as a technologist in power and transmission distribution.
Why are you running for this position?
I believe with my experience, dealing with large corporations, government contracts, both state and federal levels, I bring a value to our community.
What do you believe is the primary issue currently facing the Port?
I look forward helping guide the development of our ports to improve commerce and our environment. We need a common sense ideology to protect both. I would like to ask for your support and your vote.
Editor’s Note: This information was pulled from the candidate’s VoteWA Candidate Statement. It has been edited for length and clarity.
Tor Benson
Candidate-provided bio:
Tor Benson, 36, is a Certified Financial Planner and founded Streamline Advisory, a local small business. He also brings extensive experience as an owner-operator running commercial fishing boats and logistics expertise coordinating 800’ cargo vessels from around the world. He attended Oregon State University, graduating summa cum laude with a double bachelor's degree in biology and education, with a chemistry minor. He served on the Petersburg, Alaska, Planning and Zoning Committee for four years and was appointed on the Southeast Alaska Power Agency board, which manages two hydroelectric dams that serve three communities in Southeast Alaska.
Why are you running for this position?
The short answer on why I am running is because it is where my background and skill set can be best put to use for my community. I understand the major industries the port is involved in but also have worked on a family farm for a summer in collect and worked for Jake Maberry for a harvest season here in Whatcom County. Tiffany DeSimone is our new executive director at the port and within a five commission board I am optimistic on the direction the port is going.
What do you believe is the primary issue currently facing the Port?
The Bellingham Shipping Terminal and Bellingham Airport are budgeted to run at a loss for the third year in a row. These are great assets for the citizens of Whatcom County that are not being optimized. The continued clean-up of contaminants along the Bellingham and Blaine waterfront is also a high priority. The role of the Port Commission is to give the high level direction to the organization and I have the diverse background to be able to make informed decisions on the variety of topics that will come before us.
Jaden McConnell
Candidate-provided bio:
Jaden McConnell, 27, is a lifelong Whatcom County resident who currently resides in Everson. He is proud to call this community home. His professional experience in warehouse management has provided him with hands-on insight into logistics, operations, and strategic planning — skills essential to stewarding the Port’s resources effectively. While he is new to elective office, he is energized by the chance to bring a fresh perspective and a strong sense of accountability to this role.
Why are you running for this position?
I am running for Port Commissioner because I believe the Port should foster economic opportunity, maintain and upgrade critical infrastructure, and promote environmental stewardship while supporting responsible development. I want to ensure the Port prioritizes the growth of our maritime industries, which are vital to Whatcom County’s economic future. I am also passionate about linking education with local maritime careers to keep Whatcom County a vibrant place for families to live, work, and thrive.
What do you believe is the primary issue currently facing the Port?
The primary issues facing the Port today include strengthening economic development and updating infrastructure. I’m committed to addressing these issues and serving our community with integrity and dedication.
Paul Burrill
Candidate-provided bio:
Paul Burrill, 52, is a Lynden resident and commercial fisherman with more than 30 years of experience working between Washington and Alaska. He is a dedicated husband of 23 years, father of two children, a partner in a Washington seafood company and the owner of an interstate trucking company based in Whatcom County. Since 2018, he has served as chairman of the Port of Bellingham Marina Advisory Committee, a member of the Whatcom County Business and Commerce Committee, a board member of Whatcom Family Farmers, and a board member of the Purse Seine Vessel Owners Association, giving him firsthand experience with many of the opportunities and challenges facing the Port.
Why are you running for this position?
I am running to serve the taxpayers, local businesses and working families of Whatcom County. I am uniquely qualified to serve as Port Commissioner because I have spent my career building and supporting the very industries that depend on a strong Port. I understand the needs of fishermen, farmers, truckers, manufacturers, and business owners because I have worked alongside them for decades and helped lead businesses that rely on efficient infrastructure, sound management, and a healthy working waterfront. I bring the experience, relationships, and practical judgment needed to make smart decisions for the Port from Day One.
What do you believe is the primary issue currently facing the Port?
The Port must be managed with discipline and accountability so it delivers real value to taxpayers while supporting the businesses and jobs that keep Whatcom County strong. That means protecting our working waterfront, strengthening Bellingham International Airport, attracting family-wage jobs, and making thoughtful investments that serve our community today and build a better future for the next generation.
Samantha Cruz-Mendoza
Candidate-provided bio:
Samantha Cruz-Mendoza, 26, is a lifelong Whatcom County resident who currently lives in Ferndale. She graduated from Meridian Senior High School and Washington State University, and is starting her third year at Seattle University School of Law. She’s worked at the Washington Legislature since 2022. Prior to that, she was a clerk at Whatcom County Superior Court. She is a first-time candidate for office.
Why are you running for this position?
I’m running for the position because the Port is Whatcom County’s economic engine, and right now, Whatcom County residents need jobs and local businesses need support.
What do you believe is the primary issue currently facing the Port?
The primary issue right now facing the Port is the relationship with the public. Through my experience in state government, policy often takes time to develop, especially if all stakeholders have a voice at the table. While this can be frustrating to folks eager for quick results, it prevents delays and halts implementation. For the Port of Bellingham, the groups to consider when proceeding with any development plans are: Tribal Nations with whom treaty agreements ensure their rights to fish and hunt; concerned families in residential areas near industrial development; a local workforce with limited job options, causing them to travel to other ports for work or move their families out of Whatcom; environmentalists with concerns that waterfront development may have unintended consequences for wildlife and food supply. This requires a great deal of compromise among all parties, and an understanding that the end result will produce benefits for everyone in the county. The Port of Bellingham has a finite amount of property, and our planet has a finite amount of resources, but our population is rapidly outgrowing what we are equipped to handle. There are limited job opportunities for working class folks here anymore, and those who take the dive into entrepreneurship often find themselves unable to sustain their businesses, because there’s not enough folks making money to afford to support local businesses. The first step is finding a balance in fulfilling the needs of our county.
I won’t pretend to have all the answers, but I’m always eager to listen, learn and understand. I want to afford to stay in the county I’ve always called home, and I’m running to ensure folks can get to work and stay here, too.
Editor’s Note: This final response was edited for length and clarity.
