Trump picks Lynden after Boeing Field proves unavailable

A Whatcom County fairgrounds near the Canadian border was not the Donald Trump campaign’s first choice for a rally in Western Washington on Saturday (May 7).

Trump had looked at having the rally at Seattle’s Boeing Field, said state Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, who is working for the Trump campaign in the state.

But Ericksen said he was unable to get permission. “We had it all lined up, and King County refused to issue the permit,” he said.

A county spokesman said there was no unfair treatment of the Trump campaign.

Frank Abe, a spokesman for the King County transportation department, said Ericksen had been talking with a private tenant at the airport.

Abe said the tenant, whom he would not name, was reminded that a detailed security and parking plan was required for nonaviation uses of the airport. Such a plan was never submitted to airport officials.

“No request was made by the tenant,” he said.

Ericksen said he also explored Paine Field in Everett but was unable to agree on terms there.

A contract to use the Northwest Washington Fair and Event Center in Lynden, Whatcom County, was finalized Thursday night.

He added: “Lynden is nicer than Seattle.”

This story was originally published May 6, 2016 at 5:32 PM with the headline "Trump picks Lynden after Boeing Field proves unavailable."