Tony Larson
My name is Tony Larson. I was born in Whatcom County and have been actively engaged in the community in executive leadership roles for the past 35 years.
I’ve operated successful businesses, taken on challenging community projects and have been called on to assist in turning around struggling organizations. I am a youth coach, have been active in my church and served the community on the Whatcom County Council, where I focused on transparency and strong fiscal governance.
I love our community. I’ve raised my family here and will create an environment in which our children will have the opportunity to stay here if they choose.
I’ve been awarded the highest honors for community service from many local organizations and I’m currently endorsed for Whatcom County Executive by families, businesses, elected officials, first responders, farmers, non-profit organizations and many others I’ve worked with and served.
Here is a partial list of my endorsements:
- Jack Louws, Whatcom County Executive
- Mayors of Lynden, Ferndale, Blaine, Everson, Nooksack and Sumas
- Ken Bell, Bellingham Port Commissioner
- April Mitchelson, President of Bellingham Police Guild
- Mark Lann, President, Water District 7
- Trudy Shiravlof, Executive Director, The Whatcom Dream
- Whatcom County Farm Bureau
- Whatcom County Deputy Sheriff’s Guild
- Whatcom County District 7 Firefighters
- Whatcom County Affordable Housing Council
- Whatcom County Association of Realtors
- LiUNA Local 292 Labor Union
- Associated General Contractors Build Pac
My support from community leaders and organizations is strong because I don’t just talk… I take action, with focus on achieving positive results. We all know Whatcom County is changing. We’ve experienced 8.5% growth in the past five years alone. You see it in the increased traffic, housing prices and rents outpacing family wages, increases in homeless population and a sharp rise in substance addiction and mental health issues. Now is a pivotal time for us to act in order to avoid the pitfalls seen in other cities, like Seattle.
I will promote a robust, clean economy and attract high wage jobs in technology, manufacturing and renewable energies, without stifling the businesses, industries and farmers already here.
If we choose, we can stabilize housing prices and rents by taking serious action to bring supply online in appropriate locations throughout Whatcom County.
We should not be seeking locations for tent cities. That’s a false choice. I will find compassionate solutions for our homeless that doesn’t include tent cities and illegal park camping and invest in root causes like substance addiction and mental health services.
I will also invest in innovative solutions that improve the quality of our drinking water, protect our natural environment and support our farmers, without taking ALL motorized vehicles off ALL lakes in Whatcom County or mandatory conversion of all homes from natural gas to electric upon the sale of a home.
These challenges and others we face are all solvable with good leadership and common sense. As your next County Executive, I’ll remove the politics and replace it with solutions that work for you and your family. I’d appreciate your vote.