County

Port of Bellingham Commissioner

District 4

Vote for: 1
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The commissioners govern the Port of Bellingham, the countywide port district that runs Bellingham's airport, shipping terminal, marinas and waterfront property, and set its budget and policies.

A new seat: Whatcom County voters approved expanding the Port Commission from three to five members, and all county voters elect both new commissioners. Of the District 4 and District 5 winners, the one with more votes serves a three-year first term and the other a one-year first term.

Candidates Compare by issue

Paul Burrill

No party listed

Commercial fisherman; trucking company owner

The gist

Supports limiting AI in port operations to protect longshore jobs
Supports more public access and upland storage for recreational boaters
Supports workforce training in marine trades and aviation
Supports port industries backing housing and childcare priorities
Supports protecting waterways while promoting growth

More about Paul

View sources (2)

Supports limiting AI in port operations to protect longshore jobs
Candidate statement, Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General Election
Provided by the campaign · Washington Secretary of State (statement written by the candidate) · voter.votewa.gov
“I support protecting longshore jobs by limiting the use of AI in port operations and advancing a community first economy.”
Supports more public access and upland storage for recreational boaters
Candidate statement, Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General Election
Provided by the campaign · Washington Secretary of State (statement written by the candidate) · voter.votewa.gov
“I am committed to improving public access and upland storage for recreational users”
Supports workforce training in marine trades and aviation
Candidate statement, Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General Election
Provided by the campaign · Washington Secretary of State (statement written by the candidate) · voter.votewa.gov
“strengthening workforce development in marine trades, aviation and first responder services, and expanding marine and aviation opportunities”
Burrill for Port
Provided by the campaign · Burrill for Port · burrillforport.com
“Supporting maritime industries, expanding aviation opportunities, improving emergency response capabilities, and investing in workforce development for future generations.”
Supports port industries backing housing and childcare priorities
Candidate statement, Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General Election
Provided by the campaign · Washington Secretary of State (statement written by the candidate) · voter.votewa.gov
“port industries can create family-wage jobs while supporting broader community priorities like affordable housing and childcare”
Supports protecting waterways while promoting growth
Burrill for Port
Provided by the campaign · Burrill for Port · burrillforport.com
“Protect waterways and natural resources while promoting responsible growth and long-term economic sustainability.”

Tor Benson

No party listed

Certified Financial Planner; founder, Streamline Advisory

The gist

Pledges to reverse airport and shipping terminal losses
Proposes restoring the Denver route and adding Bellingham Airport flights
Proposes spending 5% of airport gross revenue on marketing
Supports planning the waterfront for housing and other uses
Proposes a review to buy or sell port-owned properties
Supports seeking cleanup funds for contaminated waterfront sites

More about Tor

View sources (2)

Pledges to reverse airport and shipping terminal losses
Candidate statement, Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General Election
Provided by the campaign · Washington Secretary of State (statement written by the candidate) · voter.votewa.gov
“The Bellingham Airport and Shipping Terminal are budgeted to run at a loss for the third year in a row … I come prepared to complete the hard work necessary to reverse these trends”
Proposes restoring the Denver route and adding Bellingham Airport flights
Issues
Provided by the campaign · Tor for Port · torforport.com
“The Denver route was stopped by Southwest due to aircraft availability and bring back this viable route should be a priority.”
Proposes spending 5% of airport gross revenue on marketing
Issues
Provided by the campaign · Tor for Port · torforport.com
“Like other airports we need to invest 5% of our gross revenue to market BLI to create positive momentum.”
Supports planning the waterfront for housing and other uses
Candidate statement, Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General Election
Provided by the campaign · Washington Secretary of State (statement written by the candidate) · voter.votewa.gov
“I bring experience in planning and zoning to ensure that we plan for a variety of uses, including housing, industry, agriculture, recreation, commerce”
Proposes a review to buy or sell port-owned properties
Issues
Provided by the campaign · Tor for Port · torforport.com
“we need a comprehensive review of port-owned properties to strategically acquire, or potentially sell properties that are ill-suited for our goals”
Supports seeking cleanup funds for contaminated waterfront sites
Issues
Provided by the campaign · Tor for Port · torforport.com
“The Bellingham Waterfront and the Blaine Harbor both have historical contamination that the Port Commission needs to continue to advocate for clean-up funds.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 6 issues covered in this race.