FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- Pike and Flowers Ask Lynden Tribune to Clarify Primary Election Coverage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pike and Flowers Ask Lynden Tribune to Clarify Primary Election Coverage

WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — August 25, 2026 — Republican 42nd Legislative District candidates Justin Pike and Misty Flowers are asking the Lynden Tribune to publish a clear correction after two weekly print editions incorrectly suggested that Democratic incumbents Alicia Rule and Joe Timmons had retained their seats in the August 4 primary election.

The first article reported the primary results while stating that Rule and Timmons would retain their seats. The following week, the newspaper again reported that the incumbents had retained their seats because their Republican challengers received less than 50% of the vote.

That is not how Washington’s top-two primary works.

The primary determined which two candidates advanced in each race. It did not decide who will hold either seat. Flowers will face Rule for Position 1 in November, and Pike will face Timmons for Position 2. There is no requirement that a candidate receive more than 50% of the primary vote to advance.

Pike learned about the most recent article through a text message on August 19 and contacted the Tribune’s editor that day. The newspaper responded that it had changed the online story. The response did not mention that the print edition had already been distributed or that similar information had appeared in the previous week’s newspaper.

Pike later learned that the inaccurate information had appeared in two weekly print editions. The campaigns have since been informed that the Tribune has acknowledged the mistake and plans to publish a correction.

Pike and Flowers said they appreciate the planned correction and do not believe the inaccurate reporting was intentional. Their concern is that changing an online story may not reach the people who received the printed newspaper.

“We believe this was an honest mistake, but it has created real confusion,” Pike said. “Voters, volunteers and supporters have contacted us because they believed the races were already over. We appreciate that the Tribune plans to correct the record and hope the correction makes clear that voters will decide these seats in November.”

The two campaigns are asking for a printed correction clearly stating:

• Rule and Flowers advanced to the November general election for Position 1.

• Timmons and Pike advanced to the November general election for Position 2.

• Neither legislative seat was decided in the primary.

• Receiving more than 50% of the primary vote was not required to advance.

“Local newspapers play an important role in keeping our community informed, and we understand that mistakes happen,” Flowers said. “This is about making sure voters receive accurate information. The people of the 42nd District still have a choice, and their votes in November matter.”

Pike and Flowers encourage voters to remain engaged, learn about all four candidates and participate in the November general election.

“The primary is over,” Pike said. “The election is not.”

Media Contacts:

Justin Pike (564) 656-7128 justin@votejustinpike.com

Misty Flowers (360) 201-3650 info@electmisty.com