Kerri Burnside (Bellingham City Council Ward 4, Washington, candidate 2025)

Kerri Burnside

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Bellingham City Council Ward 4

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 4, 2025

Education

Associate

Whatcom Community College, 2017

Personal

Birthplace

Portland, Ore.

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Kerri Burnside ran for election to the Bellingham City Council Ward 4 in Washington. She was on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.^[source]

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

Biography

Kerri Burnside provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on October 6, 2025:

• Birth date: February 11, 1972
• Birth place: Portland, Oregon
• High school: Sehome High School
• Associate: Whatcom Community College, 2017
• Other: Bellingham Technical College, 2002
• Gender: Female
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign website

Elections

General election

General election for Bellingham City Council Ward 4

Kerri Burnside and Skip Williams ran in the general election for Bellingham City Council Ward 4 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Kerri Burnside (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Skip Williams (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Burnside in this election.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Kerri Burnside completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Burnside'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.

Hello!

I'm Kerri Burnside, a lifelong Bellingham resident, advocate, and problem solver. I’m running for Bellingham City Council to build a more inclusive, sustainable, and livable community for everyone. ​I’ve spent my life working to strengthen this community—fighting for housing security, environmental protections, and policies that uplift working families.

As an organizer with the Bellingham Tenants Union, I’ve fought for stronger renter protections and fair housing policies. I was recently appointed to serve as the Housing Advocate on the Whatcom County Housing Advisory Community because of my dedication to addressing our local housing crisis.

I also bring leadership experience beyond organizing. I have worked in industry, led large-scale process improvement and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at Intalco, and served as a volunteer firefighter and EMT. I currently serve as President of the Silver Beach Neighborhood Association and as a representative to the Mayor’s Neighborhood Advisory Committee. I initiated the Lake Whatcom Protections Resolution adopted by the Whatcom Democrats in 2024, and I continue to advocate for development that protects our water, our climate, and our neighborhoods.

Bellingham needs to make bold, thoughtful changes, and we need to make those changes now. From housing and zoning to green space and public safety, the decisions we make today will shape the lives of working people, renters, families, and future generations.

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?

• Bellingham’s housing crisis is pushing families, workers, and vulnerable residents out of their homes. I will advocate for policies that ensure truly affordable housing—especially for those making 0-80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). I have also been advocating for solutions like Build for Zero, which focus on data-driven, coordinated efforts to reduce homelessness. Some of the housing policies I will advocate and create legislation for once elected include creating a Rental Advisory Board and Resource Center (for both small landlords and renters ), expanding non-market and alternative housing models such as co-ops, land trusts and roommate-sharing programs, enforcing renter protections, and increasing permanent supportive housing.
• I believe that protecting our environment, especially Lake Whatcom, our only source of drinking water, is crucial. As someone who has spent years fighting to protect Lake Whatcom and other local resources, I will strengthen our efforts to restore Lake Whatcom, reduce pollution threats, and advocate for sustainable land-use policies that prevent environmental degradation. This includes supporting green infrastructure and climate resilience initiatives that align with responsible growth recommendations from environmental experts. I will also promote responsible forestry and watershed management to safeguard natural habitats by increasing education about of ways residents of the watershed can reduce harm and continuing the restoration plan.
• Restoring trust in local government begins with listening and accountability. Our city needs representatives who are engaged, transparent, and responsive to the people they serve. I will hold regular town halls and strengthen communication so residents can meaningfully shape city decisions. I will champion transparency, track council actions to ensure real follow-through, and make City Hall more accessible and data-driven. My goal is to build a culture of trust, collaboration, and accountability where public service truly serves the public.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am deeply passionate about addressing the inequities and obstacles that prevent many in our community from having a safe, stable place to call home. As an organizer with the Bellingham Tenants Union, I’ve fought tirelessly for stronger tenant protections, affordable housing, and policies that prevent homelessness. I led efforts to support Community First Whatcom’s Initiative 2, which secured relocation assistance for displaced tenants, and continue to help renters exercise their rights despite the city’s lack of enforcement. I believe in community-led solutions and will keep pushing for policies grounded in compassion, accountability, and real results.

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

Integrity, transparency, and accountability are essential qualities for anyone in public office—but equally important is the ability to truly listen. Good governance begins with understanding the people you serve and being willing to engage with those who disagree with you. I believe an elected official should be approachable, informed, and guided by both data and compassion.

To me, leadership means following through on commitments and being open about how decisions are made and why. It means showing up—whether that’s at a council meeting, a neighborhood event, or a conversation with someone who feels unheard. I’ve learned through my years of community organizing that trust isn’t given, it’s earned through consistent action and honesty.

Equally vital is collaboration. Our city faces complex challenges that can’t be solved in silos. Elected officials must build coalitions across sectors—government, business, nonprofits, and neighborhoods—to develop creative, sustainable solutions.

Finally, humility is key. No one person has all the answers. The best leaders invite input, value diverse perspectives, and make decisions with the understanding that their role is to serve the public good, not personal interests. My approach to leadership is grounded in empathy, evidence, and an unwavering belief that when government works transparently and inclusively, it builds stronger communities and greater public trust.

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

The core responsibility of a City Councilmember is to represent the community with fairness, accountability, and foresight. City Council is where decisions are made that directly impact people’s daily lives—from housing and transportation to environmental protection and public safety. That requires a thoughtful, data-informed approach that balances immediate needs with long-term planning.

A councilmember must listen carefully to residents, especially those whose voices are often left out of the conversation. They must evaluate policies through an equity lens and ensure that every decision promotes opportunity and wellbeing for all. Representation means being accessible, transparent, and responsive, even when the issues are complicated or the conversations are difficult.

Just as important is oversight. When council gives direction to staff, there should be clear follow-through, public reporting, and accountability. I’ve seen firsthand how easily initiatives can stall when progress isn’t tracked. That’s why I support creating a public-facing motion tracker to ensure that council actions are visible, measurable, and implemented.

Ultimately, the role is about stewardship—protecting our shared resources, advancing public trust, and shaping a city that reflects our values of inclusion, sustainability, and compassion. It’s a responsibility I take seriously, and one I approach with both practical experience and deep commitment to community engagement.

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

Baby sitting when I turned 12 years old. I took a class on how to be a baby sitter, once I turned 12 I went around the neighborhood and introduced myself to families with children. I

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the local government?

The City Council is unique because it stands at the intersection of public voice and policy action. It’s the most direct link between residents and the decisions that shape their neighborhoods, homes, and quality of life. Councilmembers have a responsibility to translate community input into effective, equitable policy—bridging the gap between what people experience and what government delivers.

What makes this office especially important is its ability to hold systems accountable and bring transparency to local government. Council is not just a legislative body; it’s a platform for public participation, civic education, and oversight. When it functions well, it ensures that decision-making is not hidden behind bureaucracy but shared openly with the community.

In Bellingham, the Council also plays a crucial role in guiding growth and balancing priorities like affordability, sustainability, and livability. Each decision—from zoning and land use to transportation and environmental protections—has long-term consequences for the kind of city we become.

I see the Council as both a facilitator and a guardian: it facilitates inclusive dialogue and guards against inequity and short-term thinking. This office gives us the opportunity to ensure that our city’s policies reflect shared values and that the path forward is both transparent and inclusive. By listening deeply, engaging widely, and acting decisively, the Council can help build a Bellingham that works for everyone.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

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Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?

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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 Burnside completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.

• VoteWA Profile

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Candidate

Bellingham City Council Ward 4

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