Will you chip in to support our nonprofit newsroom with a donation today? Yes, I want to support My Edmonds News!
Editor:
Chelsea Rudd’s ideas for maximizing opportunities for the Edmonds Port now, while
preparing fiscally and environmentally for the future, and her impressive portfolio of
business and professional acumen, are why we wholeheartedly support her candidacy
for Edmonds Port Commissioner in District 1.
Her idea to build on the Port’s economic success as a recreational harbor by
encouraging new organizations to occupy Harbor Square that are involved in scientific
research, fisheries and ecotourism, is insightful. Increasing the Port’s infrastructure to
accommodate more electric vessels is environmentally sound.
For the past seven years, Chelsea has served as chief financial officer to a
multimillion-dollar nonprofit, and prior to that provided accounting services for the
federal government as a CPA. Chelsea understands finance, long term planning, grant
administration and grant accounting, and how to pencil out an opportunity.
In our interactions with her, we have found Chelsea’s knowledge of the Port and grasp
of the issues to be impressive. She is also approachable, open to hearing innovative
ideas and provides thoughtful responses.
These qualities and accomplishments have also led to an impressive list of
endorsements for Chelsea, among them Angela Harris (former Port of Edmonds
executive director), Rick Steves, Washington State Sen. Marko Liias, Washington State
Rep. Strom Peterson, the Sierra Club and Washington Conservation Action.
Chelsea Rudd is a new leader who can help the Port of Edmonds move in the best
direction for all of us.
Jane O’Dell and Georgina Armstrong
Edmonds
Agree! Chelsea’s thoughtful, experienced, and exactly what Edmonds needs.
I have known Chelsea for the past 4 years. Her ability to really listen to what someone is saying is incredible. She REALLY cares about her community at a micro and macro level. She has always and will always carry social justice, environmental stewardship, and community with her in each of her decisions.
It’s no secret that I’m voting for Chelsea Rudd, and this article illustrates many of the reasons why. My admiration for her has grown from the many hours spent together over the years – where she has rallied community to come together and solve problems that the rest of us are left wringing our hands about.
The best thing about Chelsea is that she doesn’t have a personal agenda. Politics isn’t her whole personality, so she is focused on doing what’s best for the community and not on advancing her political career. What you see is truly what you get!
Chelsea’s vision for balancing growth, sustainability, and community benefit is exactly what Edmonds needs right now. Thoughtful, capable leadership. I know her as a valuable asset to our community and know Edmonds will benefit greatly from her leadership and intelligence.
Edmonds is fortunate to have such a highly qualified person willing to serve our community.
Chelsea is diligent, fiscally savvy and truly cares about what is best for the city of Edmonds and the port. Her experience as a CPA only adds to her wealth of knowledge and the critical thinking skills that she will bring to this role. Edmonds would be grateful to have her as our port commissioner.
Thanks to Chelsea for running for this position! I’m voting for her for her fiscal savviness, her ability to listen and her vision.
Chelsea is a beloved member of the Edmonds community with great experience and a genuine commitment to helping our city thrive.
Big thanks to Chelsea for stepping up to bring her vast record of fiscal management and environmental stewardship to the Port. Her experience and enthusiasm are laudable!
I am delighted that a young woman with the experience, intelligence, and understanding about the importance of the Port in the future of Edmonds, is a candidate for Port Commission. Her commitment to preserving the natural habitat of Edmonds, including the Marsh, the parks, and other natural treasures of our community makes Chelsea Rudd a perfect candidate for the Port. Thank you Georgina and Jane for highlighting her credentials and experience.
I just wish the boat launch had more fishermen friendly hours and maybe a bit more guest morage. The train is coming through with a second track that might be something to think about how about the possible reconnection of the marsh. Sorry I just hear blaa blaa blaa.
I met Chelsea for the first time yesterday, and I was moved by her intelligence, focus, and commitment to making the Port a welcoming and inclusive resource for the whole community. Economic growth, environmental stewardship, and marsh restoration are among her top priorities for the Port commission position she is seeking for the first time. Edmonds will benefit tremendously from having her experience and vision on this critical commission.
Closely examine Chelsea’s campaign and you will see that she transcends platitudes and that her priorities are supported by an agenda that has real meat on the bones. It’s a deeply thoughtful agenda (https://electchelsearudd.com/issues) that balances the tension between bold action and accountability and between the Port’s short-term needs and long-term resilience. She will be a strong leader and strategist at a critical juncture in the Port’s evolution.
I first met Chelsea a couple of months ago at a “meet the candidates” roundtable event at the waterfront center. After the event, I emailed her with a question about something.She had commented on at our table and she responded quickly and completely. Since then, I emailed her with other questions and she always answered promptly. I found her credentials to be impressive. And I am proud to support her candidacy for port commission and will be voting for her. I think she brings an interesting perspective to our port and will do the very best job she possibly can.
Chelsea,
In your campaign info on Environmental Stewardship, you state:
“Housing
Let’s explore mixed-use housing within the Port district—strategically placed to avoid environmentally sensitive areas.”
Housing on Port property is inconsistent with Environmental Stewardship. The Port is in a large Seismic Hazard area. Even if a pocket of Port property could be found within or near the mapped Seismic Hazard area, construction of housing on Port property would further damage the Edmonds Marsh, be prohibitively expensive to be made earthquake safe (pilings to bearing soil), and possibly not be insurable. Housing in Seismic Hazard areas is PROHIBITED in Edmonds code.
Please review the data presented in my Reader View, links to code and to mapping of the Waterfront seismic hazard area:
https://myedmondsnews.com/2025/04/reader-view-opinion-the-seismic-hazard-elephant-at-our-waterfront/
I’m baffled why EMEA has not challenged Chelsea on her housing at the Port plan.
Correction to above. Chelsea’s housing statement is under Economic Development:
“Housing
Let’s explore mixed-use housing within the Port district—strategically placed to avoid environmentally sensitive areas. With thoughtful planning, the Port can help the city meet the new housing mandate, generate additional revenue for the Port, and support working families who so desperately want to be able to afford to live in the city they love.”
All of what I said still applies, including that no housing at the Port could possibly be made “affordable.”
Hi Joan,
Thanks for both of your comments. They gave me a lot to think about.
Regarding why EMEA has not “challenged” me, that’s not a word I would use to describe my relationship with EMEA because it connotates us being opponents rather than allies. I’m in frequent conversation with our local environmentalists, including on this issue. I value their input very much. A positive thing about me, I think, is my ability to hear from the community, take in new information, and change my mind about things. I was talking to Georgina about this last night, and this morning. We discussed how plans to build intersects with climate change, flooding, tsunami risk, earthquake risk, and the city’s mandate (handed down by the state) to build denser housing. I came away from that conversation much less enthused about the idea of building in HS.
I’ve proposed ideas. Some of those might be things to pursue, while others not so much. Or some while being feasible, might not be the optimal choice. And that’s what I hope we can find as a community. The optimal choice for Edmonds and the environment because I believe the two are intertwined.
If you’re interested, I’d love to talk more about this with you. Thanks again for your comments, and for caring. – Chelsea
Ms. Rudd, if you are monitoring this reader comment section, can you please explain what duties in your CFO role at a small non-profit delivering child adoption services translate to the Commission responsibilities at a public sector Port, whose mission is Economic Development? ( My former neighbor also worked at that agency, and my husband and I grew our family thorough adoption and I have followed that agency for decades now. They do very fine work. )
Hi Chelsea –
Asked respectfully and with appreciation for the adoption nonprofit’s work you’ve done: I’d also like to know how does your CFO experience at a small social-services nonprofit translate to the Port Commission’s economic-development mission and waterfront asset management?
The Port’s core responsibilities include:
• Public-capital budgeting & debt (multi-year capital plans, LTGO/revenue bonds)
• Real estate & lease management (commercial/maritime tenants, rent policy)
• Grants & compliance (DOT/MARAD/FEMA/Ecology; audit readiness)
• Public works procurement (RFPs, prevailing wage, change orders)
• Environmental & shoreline permitting (SEPA/NEPA, mitigation, long-term stewardship)
• Risk/insurance for waterfront infrastructure and operations
• Economic development outcomes (business retention/recruitment, jobs, foot traffic)
Could you share concrete examples from your background that map to those duties? For instance:
– Scale of budgets you’ve managed and any capital projects delivered;
– Grants captured and federal/state compliance you oversaw;
– Experience running RFPs/contracts and enforcing performance;
– Setting and reporting measurable ED KPIs (tenancy, jobs, investment);
– Work with rate/lease policy and long-horizon financial modeling.
The nonprofit’s mission is admirable.
Voters simply need a clear, specific skills match to ensure the Port—our local economic engine—has the subject-matter expertise at the dais to steward public assets and deliver real development results.
Yes I have heard nothing about issues surrounding the port specifically. One might wonder what connection she has to maritime business and activities that would make her a suitable candidate for the job. Has she ever been for a boat ride?
Chelsea,
Thanks for your thoughtful response. I would like to talk. I’ll get in touch to coordinate a time.
I’m sorry but what’s with the patronizing attitude towards this candidate? The boat ride question? Srsly. Let’s look at the credentials of all the other Port members including the one running for re-election for the position Ms. Rudd is running for. That comment is beneath answering IMO but Ms. Rudd has already given a gracious & thorough response here to one questioner. Please Mr Fairchild, can you be respectful as you inquire into her bona fides?
Thanks, Pamela. To Jim, if necessary to secure your vote, I can provide photos of Chelsea on a boat 😀
Chelsea,
Referring to your conversation with Georgina Armstrong, you said:
“I came away from that conversation much less enthused about the idea of building in HS.”
Please answer these questions:
1. After reviewing the map of the seismic hazard area at the Waterfront, will you still “explore mixed-use housing within the Port district—strategically placed to avoid environmentally sensitive areas.”
2. After reviewing Edmonds CAO which prohibits housing in seismic hazard areas, will you remove exploration of housing on Port property from your Economic Development platform?
Thanks in advance for your answers.