WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. – Whatcom County’s 42nd District has a new state senator.
The County Council on Tuesday chose Simon Sefzik to fulfill the late Doug Ericksen’s term.
Sefzik spoke of being a unifying newcomer before the council vote.
He told the council “I’m not a politician, I don’t know how to raise money for a campaign, I don’t know how to talk the political talk.”
He does have a political background, having interned in Congress and the White House during his college education.
The council vote was 4-2 for Sefzik, with Kathy Kershner and Tyler Byrd favoring fellow council member Ben Elenbaas.
Some other members voiced concern over Elenbaas’ refusal to resign from the council if he were to be appointed senator.
The third nominee provided by the Whatcom Republican Party was former Bellingham Police officer Tawsha Dykstra Thompson.