Larson beats Melious in Whatcom County Council race

Conservative Bellingham businessman Tony Larson will become the next Whatcom County Council member after being swept into office on a national tide of tea party victories.

Larson was leading Whatcom County Planning Commissioner Jean Melious 57 percent to 43 percent after the first results released by the Whatcom County Auditor's Office Tuesday night, Nov. 2.

It's a large margin for a candidate who didn't have incumbent status going into the race. Larson will replace County Councilman Bob Kelly, who resigned in 2009. The new councilman will take his District 1 seat when the election is certified at the end of November.