Issues
Affordable Housing
Dan has been a leader in affordable housing for years. Starting with the Bellingham Home Fund in 2012, his work on behalf of affordable housing directly benefits thousands of local people and families.
Public Health & Safety
As Bellingham faces an emerging fentanyl epidemic with new overdose deaths every few days, Dan is working with local and regional partners to come up with treatment and intervention solutions. Dan supports the reintroduction of police foot patrols in our downtown to enhance public safety.
Behavioral Health
Since 2015, Dan has worked on alternatives to incarceration, including electronic home monitoring, the new Anne Deacon Center for Hope, and the GRACE and LEAD programs. Just recently, he successfully led efforts to start an Alternate Response Team for behavioral health 911 calls.
Tenants Protection
Dan has extended rental increase notification times for tenants twice. He has stood by residents of mobile home parks through policy protections. Most recently, he supported ADUs and diverse housing types in Bellingham neighborhoods.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Dan served as the City Council representative on the Whatcom County Racial Equity Commission Development Team. He was the lead Council member in passing the resolution declaring racism as a public health crisis.
Protecting our Environment
Dan was the leader is banning single-use plastics in Bellingham in 2022. He was a leader in protecting Galbraith Mountain from future development. He voted to remove the dam on the Mid-Fork of the Nooksack, opening up over 16 miles of pristine salmon spawning habitat. He has voted to purchase hundreds of acres of critical habitat in the Lake Whatcom Watershed to protect our drinking water.
Women's Rights
Dan is a strong supporter of women’s reproductive rights, sponsoring a resolution affirming access to reproductive healthcare earlier this year. He has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Votes and NARAL in previous elections and will seek their support again this year.
Protecting Small Businesses
Dan has been a leader on policies and programs to make our downtown safe and vibrant. Most recently, he voted to make public drug use illegal. He has voted in support of 24 hour security and public ambassador programs. He has voted to fund the Downtown Bellingham Partnership for daily maintenance, beautification and signature events like Downtown Sounds.