Smear First, Check Facts Later: The Truth About Tyler Byrd’s Record

If you’ve heard that Tyler Byrd has been “MIA” as a Whatcom County Council member, you’ve been misled.

That false narrative traces back to a March 2023 opinion piece in the Cascadia Daily News written by Democratic Party precinct officer Abe Jacobson, who regularly uses the platform to turn political spin into public record, whether the facts hold up or not.

Let’s be clear. This wasn’t journalism. It was a partisan hit job stitched together from internal calendars and committee meetings, some of which not all council members are even required to attend. It conveniently ignored context, canceled meetings, remote participation, and the small matter of who’s actually been doing the work. And now it’s being revived, because facts don’t poll as well as fiction.

Tyler’s political opponents are dusting off that outdated smear and polishing it like it’s a fresh idea, hoping it sticks better than their platforms.

Here’s what Tyler’s real record shows:
• He’s cast nearly 3,300 votes during his second term.
• He’s missed fewer than 3 percent of all votes.
• Out of 222 Council and Committee meetings, he’s missed seven meetings, not seven days.

That’s not “absent.” That’s a work ethic most departments would envy. Life happens, even for public servants.

The “Where’s Tyler Byrd?” text ad put out by one of his opponents is next-level absurd. It paints him like he doesn’t care about kids dying or community safety, all to score a few political points. That’s not campaigning. It’s disgusting.

If this is their opening play, you can expect more of the same. Maybe they’ll invite Kathy Griffin to create a campaign meme.

But you just saw it for what it is.

Let’s keep Whatcom elections grounded in reality, not political theater.

Get your ballot to the nearest drop box by August 5.

Tyler Byrd shows up.
For the work. For the people. Just not the cameras.

👉 Verify it yourself

Signed,
The AUTO PEN