Political Roundup: Port of Everett Expansion; Binda vs Larsen; Lake Stevens School District Bucks Enrollment Trends ...but

LSSD thrives while neighbors go under...but can local district ignore storm clouds gathering statewide? Plus: What port expansion means for 425; Does mercurial Binda have a shot at 12x champ Larsen

Port of Everett Expansion Could Benefit Lake Stevens, other 425 cities

Voters in Tuesday’s primary election will decide, among other things, whether to expand the Port of Everett’s borders to encompass most of Snohomish County. The current borders, set in 1918, stick close to the Port of Everett. The expanded borders take in pretty much all of Snohomish County save for the Port of Edmonds.

Those for the expansion, headed by Port Commissioner Lisa Lefeber, say that a yes vote means access to expanded port resources and benefits for a larger swath of the local population, with representative governance selected from within the district boundaries.

Municipalities inside the port boundaries could tap port funds for projects, meaning cities including Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Lynnwood, Bothell, Arlington and others stand to gain from a yes vote.

Port of Everett development diagram.

Opponents haven’t presented an organized opposition, with the “No” argument in the voter’s pamphlet amounting to “we can’t see where all the money would go.”

The Port of Everett’s recent makeover has gone swimmingly, with two out of three restaurant and commercial development phases completed.

Popular restaurant Fisherman Jack’s, a newly renovated Everett Yacht Club and the shiny new Hotel Indigo on the waterfront are the latest examples of the port’s growing influence and draw.

The port currently supports over 40,000 jobs in the region at an average salary of over $90k per annum. The port also contributes $433 million to state and local taxes, port officials said.

A simple majority is required to pass the measure. Ballots are due Aug. 6.

If the new boundary is approved, a second election a year and a half later would determine whether to increase the number of port commissioners from the current three to five. Commissioners represent port residents, set policy and approve port projects and programs.

Mercurial Lynnwood Councilman Josh Binda Aims for Larsen’s Seat

Democrat Rick Larsen seeks a 13th term in the U.S. House of Representatives, and to obtain another term, the popular centrist and Transportation Committee ranking member will have to fend off seven challengers including mercurial Lynnwood City Councilman Josh Binda.

Binda, 24, makes the wager that his youth, identity and personality will override a lack of experience and a spate of political self-owns. Binda won a spot on the Lynnwood City Council in a pandemic-era underdog campaign. At the time, the former Kamiak High School football player was leading local Black Lives Matter protests.