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January 7, 2026
 

Skagit County Commissioners Nominate Joe Burns to District 3 Commissioner Seat

On Monday, January 5th, 2026, Skagit County Commissioners Ron Wesen and Peter Browning approved the nomination of Joe Burns to the vacant District 3 commissioner seat. District 3 encompasses eastern Skagit County including the cities of Burlington and Sedro-Woolley and the towns of Hamilton, Concrete, and Lyman. Skagit County Superior Court Judge Laura Riquelme will administer Mr. Burns’ oath of office on Thursday, January 15th, at 4:30 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room.

The previous District 3 commissioner, Lisa Janicki, retired effective January 2, 2026. Commissioner Janicki’s elected term ends on December 31, 2026. With the decision to retire before the end of her elected term, a nomination process was conducted by the Skagit County Democrats to replace Commissioner Janicki. The replacement of a vacant county commissioner position is outlined in RCW 36.32, which states if there is one vacancy on the Board of County Commissioners, then the remaining two commissioners shall fill the vacancy.

Three candidates were nominated by the Skagit County Democrats for consideration by the Board of Skagit County Commissioners. Commissioner Wesen and Commissioner Browning interviewed the three candidates during a televised public meeting on Monday, January 5th, 2026, and then voted to nominate Joe Burns for the seat. Mr. Burns will serve until the November general election results are certified. The District 3 commissioner seat will be on the ballot this upcoming November and the newly elected commissioner will take office after the election results are certified.  

Joe Burns is a Sedro-Woolley City Councilmember, representing Ward 6, and teaches automotive shop classes at Sedro-Woolley High School. Mr. Burns currently sits on the Helping Hands Food Bank board and has previously served as the Sedro-Woolley Lions Club president. His work on the Sedro-Woolley City Council has focused on improving public safety and community health, including support for North Star, the community court system, and creation of the police department K-9 program. Mr. Burns is especially proud of his work supporting business development through the creation of an American Rescue Plan Act-funded grant program for exterior infrastructure improvements in Sedro-Woolley.  

Questions about the nomination process can be sent to the Commissioners’ office at commissioners@co.skagit.wa.us or (360) 416-1300.