Northwestern Washington’s Whatcom County had four seats up for grab on their seven member county council, members who will eventually vote on permits for the largest coal export terminal proposed for the West Coast.
Environmental groups and the Whatcom Democratic Party outspent the conservative set of candidates for four open seats on the Whatcom County Council by 2-to-1, and their efforts seem to have paid off.
“It’s beyond our wildest dreams. It’s overwhelming,” said Brendon Cechovic, head of Washington Conservation Voters. The group spent more than $300,000 on the race, with backing from California billionaire and environmentalist Tom Steyer. Cechovic says the results send a clear message.