County

Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The prosecuting attorney charges and tries crimes in the county and is the county government's lawyer.

Candidates Compare by issue

Ryan Swinburnson

States No Party Preference

Attorney; Blaine School Board president

The gist

Supports more accountability for violent offenders, with treatment options
Supports consistent charging for repeat offenders and drug dealers
Proposes a Veteran's Court and stronger therapeutic courts
Pledges to reduce the case backlog for crime victims
Pledges timely charging decisions and training for police
Pledges mentorship and training for deputy prosecutors

More about Ryan

View sources (2)

Supports more accountability for violent offenders, with treatment options
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
“violent offenders must be held more accountable while recognizing that lasting public safety also requires meaningful treatment options”
Supports consistent charging for repeat offenders and drug dealers
Priorities
Provided by the campaign · Committee to Elect Ryan Swinburnson for Prosecutor · swinburnsonforprosecutor.com
“Violent offenders, repeat offenders, and drug dealers must be held accountable while protecting the constitutional rights of every person.”
Proposes a Veteran's Court and stronger therapeutic courts
Priorities
Provided by the campaign · Committee to Elect Ryan Swinburnson for Prosecutor · swinburnsonforprosecutor.com
“That means strengthening Recovery Court and Mental Health Court and the creation of a Veteran’s Court.”
Pledges to reduce the case backlog for crime victims
Priorities
Provided by the campaign · Committee to Elect Ryan Swinburnson for Prosecutor · swinburnsonforprosecutor.com
“a justice system that does not leave them waiting years for resolution. That requires reducing the caseload backlog.”
Pledges timely charging decisions and training for police
Priorities
Provided by the campaign · Committee to Elect Ryan Swinburnson for Prosecutor · swinburnsonforprosecutor.com
“Law enforcement deserves a professional partner that provides timely charging decisions, clear communication and training regarding changes in the law and best practices.”
Pledges mentorship and training for deputy prosecutors
Priorities
Provided by the campaign · Committee to Elect Ryan Swinburnson for Prosecutor · swinburnsonforprosecutor.com
“Deputy prosecuting attorneys deserve leadership that puts mentorship and training as a top priority.”

Jesse Corkern

Prefers Democratic Party

Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Whatcom County

The gist

Proposes consistent charging standards and attorney specialization
Pledges zero-tolerance policies for gun violence
Supports creating a Community Court for non-violent offenders
Pledges better training to reduce attorney resignations
Proposes a leadership team reflecting the community's diversity

More about Jesse

View sources (2)

Proposes consistent charging standards and attorney specialization
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
“Jesse will implement consistent charging standards and attorney specialization to improve efficiency and reduce the time it takes to bring cases to trial.”
Pledges zero-tolerance policies for gun violence
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
“Jesse will establish zero-tolerance policies for gun violence.”
Supports creating a Community Court for non-violent offenders
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
“address addiction and mental health challenges that lead to repetitive contacts with law enforcement and will help make Community Court a reality”
About Jesse Corkern
Provided by the campaign · Corkern for Prosecutor Committee · electcorkernprosecutor.com
“develop a Community Court for non-violent offenders”
Pledges better training to reduce attorney resignations
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
“He will improve training and hold attorneys to high standards. His leadership will end the constant flow of attorney resignations.”
Proposes a leadership team reflecting the community's diversity
About Jesse Corkern
Provided by the campaign · Corkern for Prosecutor Committee · electcorkernprosecutor.com
“Create a forward-thinking leadership team that reflects the values and growing diversity of our community”

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; 3 issues covered in this race.