Henderson claims lead in fundraising
40th District Senate candidate Ken Henderson has raised more than $36,000 in campaign contributions as of May 20, according to his campaign.
Henderson’s campaign kickoff and first official fundraising event is scheduled for June 5, at 5 p.m. in the Blue Horse Gallery in downtown Bellingham.
Henderson, 59, is a retired optometrist from Mount Vernon. He served on the Whatcom County Council from 1990-94. He served as president of the Whatcom Parks and Recreation Foundation from 1998 to 2007.
Through his optometry practice and United Way of Whatcom County, Henderson traveled to El Salvador to provide eye care to thousands of people there.
Henderson wins ‘key’ endorsements
40th District Senate candidate Ken Henderson has received endorsements from former and current elected officials in Whatcom County.
Henderson’s supporters include former Bellingham mayor Tim Douglas; former Whatcom County treasurer Barbara Cory; Bellingham City Council members Louise Bjornson, Terry Bornemann, Gene Knutson and Jack Weiss; and Whatcom County Council member Carl Weimer.
“Ken is a qualified candidate with a true leadership ability and experience that people trust,” Cory said in a press release.
Ocean Champions endorses Ranker
The Ocean Champions Voter Fund has endorsed Kevin Ranker for 40th District state Senate.
Ocean Champions cited Ranker’s work to help secure $38 million in support for local salmon recovery, his work on behalf of Washington state’s first orca protection law, and his work with key legislators and the governor to secure $3.7 million to provide for a year-round Neah Bay rescue tug.
“Kevin has a deep understanding and commitment to ocean conservation issues,” said David Wilmot, Ph.D., president of Ocean Champions Voter Fund.
“He recognizes the importance of healthy oceans, bays and coasts to the 40th District and the entire state of Washington.”
Ocean Champions Voter Fund is a non-partisan organization that works to educate voters about political issues affecting the ocean.
GOP Senate candidate visits F.H. June 11
Steve Van Luven, lone Republican candidate for the 40th District state Senate seat, will visit Friday Harbor June 11, county GOP Chairwoman Cindy Carter said Monday.
Van Luven, who lives on Samish Island, represented Bellevue in the state House of Representatives from 1983-86, and again from 1988 to 2002. He ran unsuccessfully for the GOP nomination for the state Senate in 2002.
In the House, he served on committees related to economic development and higher education.
“I’m excited about having him running,” Carter said. “He’s a strong defender of ferry runs.”
