Grounded Leadership.
Strong Communities.
Chris Elder | Port of Bellingham, District 5
A stronger Whatcom County starts with people who care deeply about this place — and who know how to get things done.
Chris Elder and his family chose to build their life in the South Fork Valley because they believe in the values that make Whatcom County special: hard work, strong communities, connection to the land, and creating opportunities for future generations.
For more than twelve years, Chris has worked alongside farmers, local governments, tribal communities, landowners, businesses, and community organizations to solve complex challenges and help communities move forward together.
Now, he’s running for Port of Bellingham Commissioner because the decisions being made today — about jobs, the airport, industrial development, the waterfront, and long-term investments — will shape Whatcom County for decades.
Those decisions deserve leadership grounded in experience, accountability, and care for community.
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Experience That Fits This Moment
The Port of Bellingham is entering a pivotal period. Major decisions involving transportation, economic development, infrastructure, industrial lands, and community investment will affect families and communities across Whatcom County — from working waterfronts and farms to small towns and rural valleys. These decisions require more than good intentions. They require grounded leadership, practical experience, and the ability to work with people who do not always see things the same way.
Chris brings a rare combination of public service experience, agricultural roots, and community leadership to help guide those decisions thoughtfully and responsibly.
Bringing People Together
Chris has spent his career working with farmers, agencies, tribal partners, nonprofits, landowners, and community members to solve complex challenges involving land, water, agriculture, flooding, and long-term planning.
That work requires listening carefully, understanding competing priorities, and finding practical paths forward. Chris knows how to bring people with different perspectives to the table and keep them focused on shared goals.
Experience That Delivers
Chris has served as a Senior Planner in Whatcom County watershed management and as administrator of the county’s Purchase of Development Rights Program, where he helped secure millions of dollars for farmland preservation.
He now works in farmland preservation with King County, helping protect agricultural land from conversion while balancing farming, watershed, and infrastructure needs. That experience gives him a practical understanding of how public decisions affect landowners, workers, businesses, and communities.
Investing in Community
Chris’s commitment to community extends beyond his professional work. He co-founded and chaired Twin Sisters Market, a collaborative farmers market serving East Whatcom County, and co-founded Coastal Farmland Trust to make farmland more accessible and affordable for farmers.
He has also served with the Washington State Food Policy Forum, the River Management Society, the Community Food Co-op Farm Fund Committee, and volunteered in response to Nooksack River flooding.