Justin Pike Announces Run for State Representative

FERNDALE, Wash. — "Too many families in Whatcom County are being priced out and struggling to feel safe and wondering if anyone in government is listening." - Justin Pike

Service member, detective, and Ferndale small business owner Justin Pike announced today that he is running for State Representative, focusing his campaign on affordability for Whatcom County, public safety by addressing behavioral health, and government

accountability.

“For more than 23 years in the military and nearly two decades in law enforcement, I’ve stood beside families in crisis, at kitchen tables, in hospital halls, and in the moments when everything is on the line,” Pike said. “Those experiences stay with you, and they shape what you’re willing to fight for.”

Pike, a 23-year Army veteran who continues to serve in the Army National Guard, said more families in Whatcom County are feeling squeezed from every direction, and too often the system only responds after things fall apart.

Affordability for Whatcom County

“Families in Whatcom County are deciding whether they can stay or if they need to plan their exit,” Pike said.

Pike pointed to rising housing costs across Whatcom County, where HUD data shows rents for a two-bedroom apartment have increased roughly 25 to 35 percent since 2022, and home prices have climbed around 15 percent.

“This isn’t about statistics. It’s about people being pushed out of the very place their families built,” Pike said. “If we don’t act now, Whatcom County will keep getting more expensive, and we risk losing the people who built this community.”

Pike said he will work to lower the cost burden on working families, support local businesses, making it possible to stay in the place we call home.

Public Safety and Behavioral Health

Through his work in law enforcement, Pike said he has seen firsthand how behavioral health challenges directly impact public safety.

“What I encounter isn’t just crime. It’s untreated pain,” Pike said. “In my experience, a lot of what we’re seeing is tied to untreated mental health and addiction, and when we ignore that, we end up responding at the breaking point instead of preventing it.”

“Public safety means compassion with accountability,” Pike said. “We need to help people who are struggling, but we also need clear expectations and follow-through, so communities are safe.”

Pike said the state must take a more coordinated approach that focuses on early intervention, accountability, and making sure people get help before they enter the criminal justice system.

“You can’t fix public safety without addressing behavioral health, and you can’t address behavioral health without improving public safety,” Pike said. “We need a system that steps in earlier, supports first responders and communities, and actually changes outcomes instead of just reacting after the fact.”

Government Accountability

Pike said taxpayers deserve transparency and results, especially as costs continue to rise.

“We’ve spent millions trying to manage problems instead of solving them,” Pike said. “People are asking a simple question. What are we getting for it?”

He called for stronger oversight of spending, measurable outcomes for programs, and a renewed focus on core priorities.

“Government should be accountable to the people it serves,” said Pike.

Pike said his campaign will focus on practical solutions and measurable results.

“People want leadership that understands what they’re going through and is willing to act on it,” Pike said. “That’s why I’m running. It’s time to put people first, focus on results, and solve problems before they become crises, because people’s lives should always come before politics.”

Justin Pike and his wife, Holly, have four children and live in Ferndale. Two are serving in the military, and two attend public schools. He serves in the Army National Guard, works as a detective, and owns a small business.