Kaylee Galloway announces candidacy for Whatcom County Council

Alum Kaylee Galloway has announced her campaign for Whatcom County Council District 1, which includes Downtown Bellingham, Western Washington University, and Fairhaven. Galloway currently serves as a legislative aide for State Representative Debra Lekanoff. Previously, she served as Community Liaison for Congresswoman Suzan DelBene in Whatcom and Skagit Counties and as a Staff Assistant for Senator Maria Cantwell in Washington, D.C.

As a student in UW Bothell’s M.A. in Policy Studies program, Galloway focused her research on sustainable community development, where she evaluated local, state, and federal policies that could help communities achieve net-zero carbon and energy. “My capstone focused on a range of topics including how we can improve building design, energy systems, transportation, infrastructure, urban agriculture, and land use,” said Galloway. “I realized that it was time to take what I learned from my research and apply it to my own community.” Galloway graduated in 2018 and serves as an alumni ambassador to the Policy Studies program.

Climate change continues to be one of Galloway’s top priorities. She is a member of Whatcom County’s Climate Impact Advisory Committee, which is in the midst of updating the county’s Climate Action Plan. “Our communities cannot afford to wait. Our climate is changing and we must embrace policy that will help build resiliency as we continue to recover from the pandemic.”

Galloway is excited to launch her run for public office. “I’ve dedicated my career to serving our community and now am ready to take the next step and continue to give back in a new way,” she said.