Issue #249
Fleetwood plans to challenge Ericksen for state Senate
Former Bellingham City Council and Whatcom County Council member Seth Fleetwood has announced plans to run against Republican state Sen. Doug Ericksen for the 42nd District seat, setting up a lively race between two well-known political figures. Fleetwood, an attorney, served on the Whatcom County Council for eight years. After that, he served four years as at-large member of the Bellingham City Council before leaving office at the end of 2013. Ericksen, from Ferndale, served as chairman of the Senate’s Energy, Environment, and Telecommunications subcommittee in the last legislative session. He was elected to the Senate in 2010 after serving six terms in the House. The 42nd District covers all of Whatcom County except south Bellingham and the southwest corner of the county. Bellingham Herald, 4-30-14. Fleetwood got his start in public service advocating for clean drinking water from Lake Whatcom and affordable housing. He unseated proto-Tea Party County Council member Marlene Dawson in 2001. He served eight years, drawing praise from both sides of the aisle for his measured approach. Sweeney Politics, 4-30-14.