Community Support
According to the 2023 Progressive Voters Guide:
“Buchanan is the most progressive candidate in the race…Buchanan has been a reliable progressive leader on the county council during his two terms in office. He was chair of the Whatcom County Incarceration Reduction and Prevention Taskforce and played an important role in creating the Whatcom Crisis Stabilization Center. This facility provides an alternative for adults who are experiencing a mental health crisis or struggling with withdrawals.
Buchanan has pushed for more progressive alternatives to a large and expensive new jail. Buchanan was also part of the unanimous vote in 2021 to prevent the expansion of fossil fuel facilities at Cherry Point. Previously, he worked to ban fracking and protect Whatcom County's water. Buchanan is now running for county executive focused on rebuilding trust and support for a more progressive jail plan, implementing the Children's Fund, and protecting Lake Whatcom…he offers an alternative for voters looking for more progressive leadership in Whatcom County.”
Selected Endorsements from our Community
I’m proud to share with you some of the local organizations that have stepped up early to endorse our campaign!
Community Leaders Supporting Our Campaign
*Organization names and titles are displayed for identification purposes only and do not imply organizational endorsement.
Sharon Shewmake, State Senator
Debra Lekanoff, State Representative
Todd Donovan, Whatcom County Councilmember
Kaylee Galloway, Whatcom County Councilmember
Arlene Feld, community leader in Mental and Behavioral Health
Colin Lowin, retired Whatcom Fire Fighter, delegate to Northwest Central Labor Council*
Ray Deck III, Executive Director of Skookum Kids*
Michael Chiavario, Housing advocate, former Board Vice President of Kulshan Community Land Trust*
John Miller, rural Whatcom Precinct Committee Officer, Democratic Party*
Tim and Jennifer Lounsberry, Bellingham small business owners
Why Community Leaders are voting for Barry:
Arlene Feld, Psychotherapist, mental health expert, former Advisory Board Member for North Sound Behavioral Health Organization and member of the Incarceration Reduction and Prevention Task Force
Ray Deck III, Executive Director of local nonprofit that works with foster kids and emergency shelter.
Colin Lowin, recently retired Bellingham Firefighter
“Barry came to me in 2018 and asked right up front for state money to help build a Whatcom Crisis Stabilization Center so that law enforcement officers aren’t forced to jail Whatcom residents who are in the middle of mental health crises.
Two years later, on January 4, 2021, the Center opened its doors.
That’s my kind of leadership.”
-State Senator Sharon Shewmake