Honoring Our Past. Building What’s Next. A Port that Works for Whatcom County.

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Meet Samantha

Homegrown Representation. Working Class Values.

Hi! I’m Samantha Cruz-Mendoza, and I’m running for District 4 Bellingham Port Commissioner. I was born and raised here in Whatcom County, a student in Bellingham, Lynden and Meridian Public Schools. Like most folks around here, I spent summers growing up working agricultural labor, either pruning or picking berries in the field or working crew line at a berry processing plant. In high school I then worked at the Ferndale Grocery Outlet, my initial community and customer service experience, and where I got to meet a lot of my neighbors for the first time. In 2018, I graduated from Meridian Senior High School and simultaneously received my Associates from Whatcom Community College, through the Running Start program.

A young woman with long dark hair and a subtle smile, wearing a striped brown, black, and cream sweater, standing outdoors near a body of water with bare tree branches in the background.

In 2021, I graduated from Washington State University - Go Cougs! In undergrad, I lobbied the state legislature for higher education access to students in low-income and rural communities, representing WSU Pullman. In coordinating several student lobby days, I was inspired, witnessing in real-time, the impact a collective voice has to effect real change. I was proud to lead successful lobbying efforts for student services and activities fee transparency from university administration; expansion of the Washington College Grant funding and eligibility; and creating a state loan program for students excluded from receiving federal aid.

A diverse group of people, some wearing yellow shirts, stands in a room with wooden paneling and Washington state and American flags in the background. They are gathered around a woman receiving a certificate from a man at a wooden podium.

I have devoted my career and education to public service and giving back to my community. I’ve worked as a court clerk in Whatcom County Superior Court and currently work at the Washington State Legislature. My experience in state government has given me a deep understanding of issues directly impacting Washingtonians and the tools to find realistic recourse and resolution. My roots in rural Whatcom County provides me with an understanding of community-specific issues, such as the importance of our agricultural industry. My working class background makes me an advocate for fair labor practices and living wages for working families. This is important for a local policymaker, because the creation of jobs to stimulate our economy should never come at the expense of worker health and safety.

Group of seven people, including Governor Inslee, gathered in the governor's conference room at the Capitol Campus in Olympia for the signing of a bill related to wage complaints. There is an American flag and a green Washington state flag behind them. Governor Inslee is seated at a desk with a microphone, papers, and a glass of water, and the others are standing around him, smiling.

Why I’m Running

A woman with long dark hair wearing a bright blue blazer and black top, standing outdoors in front of a blooming tree with white flowers.

I come from a working class family. My roots in Whatcom County provide me with lived experience to represent rural interests. Our local economy is heavily reliant on tourism, whether from King County folks looking for a subdued area with parking, or Canadians looking to do some shopping. Our local economy is also heavily reliant on the agricultural industry, from farmers managing operations, to farmworkers laboring in the fields. Both of these deeply vital sources of local revenue are threatened by cuts to federal aid (USAID), dismantling of the US Dept. of Agriculture, workforce shortages brought by the uptick of ICE arrests in the county and a financially detrimental decrease in tourism from our Canadian neighbors.

I envision continued investments into community-specific areas of need, like the Port’s recent investment in Boxx Berry Farm, for an agricultural research facility. I envision economic development in Blaine, a geographical outlier in Whatcom County, facing severe economic hardship due to a weakened trade and tourism relationship with Canada. Support for the agricultural industry increases our exports and thus, our county’s revenue. But it also supports the livelihood of Lynden farming families and local farmworkers. This industry is connected to our community as means of celebration and connection - Farmer’s Day Parade, strawberry u-pick season, Razz Fest - and benefits small businesses in rural Whatcom, with increases in foot-traffic during harvest seasons. My work experience in state government has provided me the knowledge to streamline outreach to communities that will be directly impacted by public policy. My work experience will provide Whatcom County an advantage, as one of the roles of a Port Commissioner is procuring federal and state grants.

In December 2025, the unemployment rate in Whatcom County hit 5.2%. Family wage job opportunities continue to dwindle, forcing families to tighten their household budgets or make the difficult decision to move out of Whatcom County, or even the state.

I love Whatcom County. This is my home. As Port Commissioner, I will fight to protect the businesses and family-wage jobs that put food on the table; expand public access to our waterfront; conserve our natural resources; and foster a collaborative partnership with the Port and the people of Whatcom County.

Lets build economic prosperity for ALL of Whatcom County.

Port Priorities