Mason Dems snub Sheldon for county commission

At their nomination meeting Wednesday night, The Olympian reports that Mason County Democrats voted to endorse Roslynne Reed as their official nominee for county commissioner, position 2. In a move that was unorthodox, though not unexpected, the party voted not to nominate the incumbent, Tim Sheldon, who happens to hold a second job as a Democratic State Senator.

Reed, who is the Mason County Democratic Party Chair released a statement upon the announcement of her victory, which was won by a considerable margin. Reed receieved 59 weighted Precinct Committee Officer votes to Sheldon's 1, and according to The Olympian Sheldon's sole vote came from himself.

"I think it shows the Democratic Party is behind my candidacy and I appreciate that. I will work hard for all Mason County residents," Reed said.

Sheldon, on the other hand, was defiant in spite of it all. He suggested that the endorsement loss would actually help his campaign among Mason County's independent-minded voters.

In some Democratic circles, Tim Sheldon is public enemy #1. Although he continues to call himself a Democrat, he angered many when he endorsed and campaigned for both George W. Bush and Dino Rossi in 2004, and actually sits on the Mason County Commission as an independent, though he is running as a Democrat this time around.