Community Investments.
Economic Opportunity.
Living Wage Jobs for Whatcom.
Support Our Campaign!
Hi! I’m Samantha Cruz-Mendoza. I grew up here in Whatcom County and I’m running to represent District 4 on the Bellingham Port Commission.
I’ve led a career of public service, from clerking at Whatcom County Superior Court, to volunteer legal work on behalf of immigrant youth, to working at the Washington State Legislature.
I’m a hard worker, I love Whatcom County, and I want to help make this community more affordable. The Bellingham Port Commission is Whatcom’s economic driver; we can use this arm of local government to retain and increase local family-wage jobs. Let’s get to work.
Vote Samantha Cruz-Mendoza for District 4 Bellingham Port Commissioner on August 4th!
A Vision for a Thriving Whatcom County
The Port of Bellingham is one of 75 in Washington State, but unique in the jurisdiction it encompasses. There is vast opportunity for Whatcom County residents to thrive, from its trade-beneficial geographical location, to the industries under the Port’s management, in maritime, electrical, aerospace machinery, and (due to recent community investment in Boxx Berry Farm) agricultural.
Here are my priorities for the Port of Bellingham to make Whatcom County thrive.
Supporting agricultural industry; provision of organic farming alternatives and education to local farmers, enhancing efficiency of goods transportation to ease cost burdens to farmers. Supporting this industry is vital to the 4th district. Our small cities in north county are reliant on foot traffic from community events associated with agriculture; local farming families depend on land cultivation for many years to come, and provide employment for our farmworker community. Guaranteed employment for the workers in this industry benefits our county’s economy, as local residents will then have additional dollars to patron Whatcom businesses
Expediting cleanup at Blaine and Squalicum Harbors; effective lobbying of state government for access to MTCA funds. Cleanup preserves our natural resources, and allows for necessary infrastructure projects to commence
Increasing flight destinations from the Bellingham International Airport to benefit the maritime workforce; flights to Alaska to support the commercial fishing industry
Expanding public access to the waterfront; collaboration with county and city governments for a pedestrian bridge from downtown Bellingham to Granary Ave; modernizing infrastructure of public piers in Blaine and Bellingham
Community Investments
Economic Opportunity
Supporting local apprenticeship and vocational programs in the maritime industry, to provide young people in Whatcom with family-wage job training and opportunities, to continue to live in the county
Increasing days of operation at the Bellingham Shipping Terminal
Increasing agricultural and seafood exports to make Whatcom County a leader in international trade
Proactive outreach to residential neighborhoods in mixed-use zones; ensuring industrial development plans on the waterfront can proceed to provide family-wage jobs, with support from the communities that live in and share these spaces
Collaboration with local workforce, businesses and government partners to increase tourism and economic development.
Limiting surveillance and unnecessary data sharing with the federal government to provide peace of mind to Whatcom County residents
The Port as a Partner to the People
Sign up to receive updates along the campaign trail!
Register to Vote!
In the State of Washington, you can register to vote online or by mail until 7pm on July 27th.