As one credible theory
would have it, the method the state
Democrats are currently using to choose their “official” nominees for
office is a ploy to demonstrate to the courts that the “top-two”
primary approved by voters in 2004 is a disaster, and should be
overturned.
If the snafus currently underway in North Seattle’s 46th legislative
district are any indication, their strategy is working.
In that race, former district chair Scott White is facing off
against longtime anti-Hanford activist Gerry Pollet. Or was facing off;
or is again—it isn’t quite clear. First, there was an ugly
nomination battle that left Pollet with the “official” nomination but
gave White the satisfaction of a guarantee, via mutual agreement, that
Pollet would not mention his official nomination on his voter statement
or in his campaign literature.
Then on Friday, June 13, White—reportedly suffering from
pneumonia and despondent—decided to withdraw from the race.
What happened next remains unclear. According to sources close to
White’s campaign (White did not return calls for comment), White
changed his mind, decided to stay in the race, and told King County
Elections he was withdrawing his withdrawal. White’s campaign,
Elections, and the Washington secretary of state’s office all say he
never officially withdrew from the race. Instead, he merely
“contemplated” withdrawing, according to one account, or filed the form
too late for it to matter, according to another.
However, as of Friday afternoon, the King County website clearly
listed White as “withdrawn.” Brian Zylstra, a spokesman for the
secretary of state’s office, says King County’s notice that White had
withdrawn was only “unofficial.” Pollet disagrees, arguing that once a
nominee has filed a form for withdrawal, they’re “done.”
“The law says, you file that form, you’ve withdrawn,” says
Pollet.
In a letter to several state officials, Pollet fumed that “it
violates public policy to [allow a candidate] to vacillate being in,
being out, and being in again.” In a letter, Pollet asked the secretary
of state to tell King County that it can’t reinstate White as a
candidate. If it does turn out White withdrew and he continues to
pursue election, Pollet says, “he’ll have to go get a lawyer.”
Meanwhile, at last weekend’s state Democratic Party convention, the
already apoplectic Pollet received another blow: White, having failed
to win the endorsement of his district, was listed alongside Pollet as
the district’s official nominee—a legal impossibility.
Neither White’s consultant Christian Sinderman nor 46th District
chair Javier Valdez had any idea why both names were listed as
nominees, and state party chair Dwight Pelz did not return a call for
comment. 