Ryan Swinburnson
No Party Preference · WA · Blaine School Board Member
Ryan Swinburnson has served on the Blaine School Board since 2024 and became its president in 2026. An attorney for more than 26 years, he has worked as a prosecutor, defense lawyer, and county civil counsel.
Where Ryan Swinburnson stands, based on their records
Opposes
Civil Rights (1 record)
Track record
Track record — Civil Rights
Civil Rights · 1 oppose
He voted for Blaine School Board's WIAA resolution backing changes that would restrict transgender girls' access to girls school sports.
September 23, 2024Opposes Civil Rights
Source: go.boarddocs.com
Track record — General
General · 10 records
Retired Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo publicly endorsed him for prosecuting attorney.
October 20, 2026
Source: cascadiadaily.com
He voted to place a $62.4 million bond for rebuilding Blaine Middle School and improving the Pipeline Athletic Complex on the February 2027 ballot.
August 24, 2026
Source: go.boarddocs.com
As board president, he voted for a new two-year contract for Superintendent Dan Chaplik and explained the transfer of an unused housing allowance into the base salary.
June 15, 2026
Source: go.boarddocs.com
His fellow Blaine School Board directors elected him board president on a 5-0 roll call.
December 9, 2025
Source: go.boarddocs.com
He proposed an early opt-out clause for Blaine's interim superintendent contract; the amendment failed 1-3, and he then voted for the revised extension through the 2027-28 school year.
October 27, 2025
Source: go.boarddocs.com
He was elected to represent WSSDA Director Area 1 on the association's Resolutions Committee.
October 20, 2025
Source: wssda.org
He voted for Blaine School Board's 2025-26 reduced education plan, which included staff reductions and a merger of first and second grades into Blaine Elementary School.
March 24, 2025
Source: go.boarddocs.com
Whatcom County Council approved his defense and indemnification in a civil lawsuit arising from county work, finding that he acted in good faith while carrying out an authorized duty.
November 6, 2024
Source: whatcom.legistar.com
He worked as a full-time attorney in Whatcom County's Office of Assigned Counsel, representing people whose cases could not be handled by the public defender's office.
September 21, 2024
Source: cascadiadaily.com
He took the oath as Blaine School Board director for District 4 after the board appointed him to the vacant seat.
March 25, 2024
Source: core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com
Past race Ryan Swinburnson ran in:
- Prosecuting Attorney · November 3, 2026 · Whatcom County, Washington