Keith Chaplin (Port of Skagit District Commissioner Board Position 2, Washington, candidate 2025)

Keith Chaplin

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Nonpartisan

Candidate, Port of Skagit District Commissioner Board Position 2

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 5, 2025

Education

High school

Mount Vernon High School

Bachelor's

Washington State University, 2009

Personal

Birthplace

Seattle, Wash.

Profession

General contractor

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Keith Chaplin is running in a special election to the Port of Skagit District Commissioner Board Position 2 in Washington. He is on the ballot in the special general election on November 4, 2025.^[source] He was on the ballot in the special primary on August 5, 2025.^[source]

Chaplin completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Keith Chaplin provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on July 9, 2025:

• Birth date: October 8, 1986
• Birth place: Seattle, Washington
• High school: Mount Vernon High School
• Bachelor's: Washington State University, 2009
• Gender: Male
• Profession: General Contractor
• Prior offices held:
  • Burlington City Councilmember (2020-Prsnt)
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign website

Elections

General election

Special general election for Port of Skagit District Commissioner Board Position 2

Keith Chaplin and Melanie Mankamyer are running in the special general election for Port of Skagit District Commissioner Board Position 2 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Keith Chaplin (Nonpartisan)
		Melanie Mankamyer (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Nonpartisan primary election

Special nonpartisan primary for Port of Skagit District Commissioner Board Position 2

Keith Chaplin, Melanie Mankamyer, and Edwin Stickle ran in the special primary for Port of Skagit District Commissioner Board Position 2 on August 5, 2025.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Keith Chaplin (Nonpartisan)
		Melanie Mankamyer (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Edwin Stickle (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Keith Chaplin completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Chaplin's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Keith Chaplin, a lifelong builder and problem-solver with a passion for public service. I live in Burlington with my family, where I’ve spent over a decade working as a general contractor and serving the community in local government. I’m a former Burlington City Councilmember and Planning Commissioner and also served as Mayor Pro-Tem. During my time in office, I was proud to work on nearly every committee — from public safety and infrastructure to finance and economic development — gaining a deep understanding of how effective government functions.

I hold a degree in Communication and Entrepreneurship from Washington State University, and before entering construction, I worked as a journalist in Washington and Alaska. That experience taught me the importance of transparency, accountability, and strong public communication — values I bring to every role I take on.

Whether it’s helping secure grant funding for new parks or pushing for safer city streets, I focus on collaboration, long-term thinking, and tangible results. I’m running for Port Commissioner to bring that same hands-on, community-driven approach to the Port of Skagit. I believe in building things that last — and that includes a stronger, more connected regional economy.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I’m running because the Port needs fresh leadership from someone who understands local government, has a proven track record of getting things done, communicating effectively with constituents and standing up for their needs.
• I am the only person running for this position that has actually been elected to a position, and can point to tangible improvements to my community based on holding that position. Driving through Burlington the streetscapes are undergoing improvements for pedestrian and drivers safety based on my advocacy. Residents receive a quarterly newsletter because of my initiative. Parks in the city have received huge renovations and installations of playgrounds because we did the hard work, planned, wrote grants, saved and spent wisely on things that residents requested.
• I’m running because the Port needs fresh leadership from someone who understands local government, has a proven track record of getting things done, communicating effectively with constituents and standing up for their needs.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Sound fiscal responsibility, planning, especially for safer communities. Parks and recreation, economic development.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

For me, the most important characteristics of an elected official are accountability, adaptability, and a strong sense of service. Public trust is earned by showing up, listening carefully, and following through. As a former news reporter, I learned how vital transparency and clear communication are in public service. As a general contractor and city councilmember, I’ve built my career on problem-solving and long-term thinking — skills that matter when you’re stewarding public resources.

An effective elected official also needs to be collaborative. No one operates in a vacuum, especially at the local level. You have to work across jurisdictions, understand the needs of businesses and families, and advocate for solutions that move everyone forward. I believe in showing up prepared, staying connected to the people you serve, and keeping your word. That’s how you build something that lasts.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I bring a combination of real-world experience, proven leadership, and a deep commitment to community. As a general contractor, I’ve spent over a decade managing complex projects, budgets, and timelines — skills that translate directly to the work of a Port Commissioner. I understand how to solve problems, build consensus, and get things done.

My time as a Burlington City Councilmember, including serving as Mayor Pro-Tem, gave me hands-on experience with public infrastructure, economic development, and local government collaboration. I served on nearly every city committee to gain a broad and practical understanding of how good governance works.

I’m also adaptable and self-sufficient — qualities I’ve carried with me from my early career as a journalist in Washington and Alaska to my current work in construction and public service. I value transparency, clear communication, and long-term thinking. I don’t just show up — I follow through. That’s the mindset I’ll bring to the Port of Skagit every day.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibilities of a Port Commissioner are to steward public assets wisely, support economic development, and ensure the Port serves the entire Skagit community. That means making strategic decisions about land use, infrastructure, and partnerships that promote job growth, innovation, and long-term sustainability.

A Port Commissioner must also be a connector — collaborating with local cities, counties, and businesses to align efforts and maximize impact. I believe in using the Port’s platform to showcase our region’s strengths, support local industry and agriculture, and invest in the future of Skagit County. Transparency, fiscal responsibility, and responsiveness to the public are essential. Ultimately, the job is about building something lasting — a resilient local economy that reflects our values and serves the next generation.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was at Conway Feed, I started in highschool bagging and sewing 50 pound bags of feed, learning persistence, the satisfaction of a solid days work, customer service and most importantly how a business that treats employees with respect and dignity.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Financial transparency and government accountability are essential to earning and keeping the public’s trust. I’ve built my career and public service around those values — first as a journalist committed to uncovering the truth, and later as a city councilmember overseeing budgets, contracts, and capital projects.

During my time on the Burlington City Council, I served on the Audit & Finance Committee and worked to make government more accessible and transparent, including launching a city newsletter to keep residents informed. Taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being spent and to see real results from their public institutions.

At the Port, I will advocate for clear communication, open decision-making, and responsible stewardship of public resources. Every dollar should be spent with intention and impact — and always with the community in mind.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Other survey responses

Ballotpedia identified the following surveys, interviews, and questionnaires Chaplin completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.

• VoteWA Profile

See also

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