Swinomish Indian Tribal Community (SITC) voters chose to stay the course in balloting for three Senate seats on Sunday.

Incumbent senators Brian Porter, Greg Edwards and Tandy (Wolf) Wilbur each won re-election to five-year terms on the tribal community’s 11-member governing body during voting at the Swinomish Administration Building on Moorage Way.

Porter’s re-election was a foregone conclusion. He ran unopposed, garnering 216 votes.

Porter chairs the tribe’s law and order committee; serves as vice-chair of the executive committee; and is a member of the Swinomish budget, fish and game, personnel and tax committees as well as its housing and planning commissions.

“The goals and objectives that I would like to continue to focus on are part of the subject matter of the committees on which I serve,” Porter said in a statement last month to Qyuuqs News, the official SITC monthly publication. “I would like to see our housing development keep up with our community needs.

“We have an aging infrastructure and facilities,” he cautioned. “We should continue to update, improve, replace or build what is needed for our community development.”

Porter served as an official witness for the Feb. 12 ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Didgwalic Wellness Center Transitional Housing facility on Maple Avenue in La Conner.

In the race for Senate seat #4, incumbent Edwards spoiled the comeback bid of former senator Kevin Paul by a 181-80 margin.

Edwards, a nephew of Swinomish Senate Chairman Steve Edwards, campaigned on a platform to expand economic development, upgrade infrastructure, address the reservation’s housing crunch, support programs for elders and advocate for education and job training.

Currently the La Conner Middle School boys’ basketball coach, Edwards has said the tools he uses in coaching – patience, preparation, active listening and setting realistic goals, among them – are the same ones he uses at the Senate table.

In a statement issued on Monday, Edwards thanked his family and voters and praised all Senate candidates.

“I am truly honored and blessed to have this opportunity, to continue to be a public servant for the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community,” he said. “I am looking forward to the continued work with our 10 other elected officials.”

Edwards chairs the tribe’s fireworks committee and planning commission and presides over the Swinomish Golf Links board of directors; is vice-chair of the elder services, environmental and lands and buildings and facilities committees; and is a member of the personnel and housing development committees and gaming enterprise management board.

A former La Conner High and collegiate basketball player, Wilbur beat challenger Lena Joe 159-109 to retain Senate seat #5. He has cited housing, youth development and community wellness as foundational priorities for Swinomish.

“Every child deserves a culturally grounded education and opportunities for leadership,” he said in Qyuuqs.

In a social media post on the eve of the election, Wilbur said housing, job security, education and wellness weren’t abstract ideas.

Following his re-election, Wilbur returned to social media to express gratitude to tribal voters.

“I’m grateful to our Swinomish people for the trust you’ve shown me,” he said. “Thank you to everyone who voted and took part in the process, and to the other candidates who stepped forward for our Nation.

“I’m here to keep listening, learning and doing the work,” Wilbur said.

Wilbur chairs the Swinomish legal committee, is vice-chair of the 401K committee, and is a member of the personnel, budget, environmental and lands, fireworks, and tax committees. He also serves on the gaming enterprise management board.

Two tribal senate seats, held by Chairman Edwards and Cultural Events Director Aurelia Bailey, will be up for election in 2027.

Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.