About this Event
Cascadia Daily News’ Reader-Powered Election Town Hall isn’t just a place to meet the people running for these offices.
It’s a place to tell them what your priorities are and learn what they would do to make change happen. It’s a conversation where you hear candidates in Whatcom County’s most pressing contests as people, outside a traditional debate format, framed around issues that affect your daily life.
First, we will look into the Whatcom County Prosecutor race, whose office has been experiencing an ongoing turnover crisis. Since 2019, nearly 70% of staff have left, according to a Cascadia Daily News investigation. It’s impacting how cases are handled and how victims and defendants are served, a challenge that either Jesse Corkern (D) or Ryan Swinburnson (NP) will have to take on. Both candidates have confirmed participation in the panel, moderated by CDN criminal justice reporter Annie Todd.
Then, we'll cover the historically competitive 42nd District Senate race, where Erika Creydt (R) and Michael Shepard (D) both cite affordability as among the top concerns in Northwest Washington, but have diverging ideas on how to address it in Olympia. Shepard has confirmed his attendance; Creydt declined our invitation. Shepard will join CDN editor and moderator Jonathan Martin.
Reader-Powered Election Town Hall 2026 – Presented by Cascadia Daily News
Saturday, October 10, 2026 | 5:30 PM–7:30 PM
Sehome High School Theater
Free to attend - RSVP is required
$10 donation add-on suggested
Act I - Whatcom County Prosecutor
Discussion led by
Jesse Corkern (D) - Confirmed
Ryan Swinburnson (NP) - Confirmed
Act II - 42nd District State Senate
Discussion led by
Erika Creydt (R) - Declined invitation
Michael Shepard (D) - Confirmed
Join us for a live discussion on the matchups for the 42nd District Senate and the Whatcom County Prosecutor. CDN has invited all remaining candidates in those races to join the conversation. Audience Q&A to follow.
Free parking; ADA-accessible parking is available.
No pets allowed; service animals are permitted. No food is allowed inside the theater.
Security is provided.
Event venue & nearby stays
Sehome High School, 2700 Bill McDonald Parkway, Bellingham, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.