Erika Creydt Kickoff Packs Fox Hall, Draws Four Sitting State Senators

State and local leaders turn out in force as Erika Creydt opens her campaign for the 42nd District Senate seat

PRESS RELEASE:

Erika Creydt Kicks off her Campaign for Senate

BLAINE, Wash.

Contact: Chad Minnick
425-327-3602 cell
Chad@Minnick.group

Erika Creydt opened her campaign for the 42nd Legislative District Senate seat on April 15 with an overflow crowd at Bellingham’s Fox Hall and on-the-record support from four sitting Washington State senators, two former 42nd District state representatives, and a broad lineup of local elected officials.

Senators Drew MacEwen, Chris Gildon, Ron Muzzall, and Judy Warnick attended and spoke, along with former 42nd LD Representative Vincent Buys and Whatcom County Councilmember Ben Elenbaas. Former Whatcom County Undersheriff Doug Chadwick discussed the Sheriff Bill, and spoke in support of Erika Creydt. Also present in support were former Blaine Mayor Bonnie Onyon, former representative Luanne VanWerven, Whatcom County Councilmember Mark Stremler, city council members from Ferndale and Blaine, members of the Ferndale School Board, and multiple members of the Whatcom County Charter Review Commission, along with community and business leaders from across Whatcom County, including Blaine, Birch Bay, Ferndale, Lynden, and Bellingham.

What has set Creydt’s candidacy apart in the early weeks is the breadth of support crossing party lines. Democrats, Republicans, and independents have all shown up for her publicly. The campaign says it expects that pattern to continue as voters across the 42nd get to know her.

“Fox Hall ran out of chairs. But what stayed with me was the quiet of the room. People came leaning forward. They wanted real answers to real questions. Whatcom County is ready for a Senator who actually listens back.”

— Erika Creydt

Erika Creydt, a third-generation Blaine resident, is a clinical psychologist with more than twenty years of experience in mental health and a current member of the Blaine School Board. She holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and has been serving on the Whatcom County Behavioral Health Advisory Committee.

The 42nd District Senate seat is open following Sen. Sharon Shewmake’s announcement that she will not seek re-election. Erika Creydt is the only Republican in the race, with three male Democrat candidates competing to advance through the primary. The primary will be held on August 4, 2026, with the top two finishers advancing to the November 3 general election.

Erika Creydt’s campaign says the focus for the coming weeks will stay on direct community contact: door-knocking, phone calls, small-group meetings, and visits across the district’s smaller towns and rural communities.

About Erika Creydt

Erika Creydt is a clinical psychologist, an elected Blaine School Board director, and a member of the Whatcom County Behavioral Health Advisory Committee. She holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and has worked for more than two decades with children, families, schools, and community systems across Whatcom County. She is a third-generation Blaine resident and lives in the 42nd Legislative District with her husband, Jesse, and their children. Learn more at www.erikaforwhatcom.com and follow her campaign on Facebook at facebook.com/erika4whatcom Instagram @erika4whatcom https://www.instagram.com/erika4whatcom/ and X: https://x.com/Erika4Whatcom