Gerry Pollet

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Petitioners on behalf of Gerry Pollet who sought to remove Scott White from the ballot in the 46th Legislative District had their day in court, just five days after filing their grievance on June 20. Counsel from both sides gave oral arguments in front of Judge John P. Erlick this morning at the King County Courthouse, with Erlick finally deciding in White's favor.

For a full backstory on White's potential withdrawal from the race, see this article.

Topics of debate ranged widely throughout the nearly two hour hearing, touching on topics from fax machine time stamps to the credibility of witnesses, procedures of election officials and even the relevance of fax machines in the modern age.

Supporters of Gerry Pollet in the 46th Legislative District filed a lawsuit Friday afternoon to have Scott White removed from the ballot for state representative, position 1 in the 46th LD. The petition claims that County Elections Division Director Sherril Huff acted incorrectly when she reinstated his candidacy after it was apparently withdrawn on Thursday, June 12.

White faxed his paperwork from a King County Executive fax machine at 1329 hours on Thursday, June 12 according to the time stamp on the fax. The county says it received the fax at 4:35 PM, 5 minutes after the deadline for withdrawal.

Pollet's supporters imply in a press release that White's treatment had to do with political ties.

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The

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46th Legislative District Democrats met Thursday to officially endorse candidates for local and state races. Most of these were uncontested, but a vote was required to choose Rep. Jim McDermott over Donovan Rivers in the 7th Congressional District, and to endorse Rep. Jim McIntire for state treasurer over Dr. Chang Mook Sohn.

When it came down to the contested state House race in the 46th District between Scott White and Gerry Pollet, things became a little more complicated.

A movement to suspend the rules and allow for a double endorsement was shot down only one vote short  of a necessary two thirds majority, leaving the body to choose between Pollet, White or "no endorsement". White spoke both on his own behalf and for no endorsement, saying for the latter could be a protest vote for a dual endorsement.

After neither candidate received the necessary two thirds vote on the first ballot (Pollet received 57, White 49 and no endorsement 10), Pollet  successfully moved that the rules be suspended to allow a dual endorsement which passed unanimously. Pollet and a few of his supporters had initially opposed suspension of the rules to try to expose what he said was a broken agreement by White about the way Pollet's nomination would be treated. White, on the other hand, believes that Pollet broke the faith.

But when all is said and done, the night will show that both candidates are endorsed, and all the procedures will be left for the memories of the 116 voters on site. 

A fax from Scott White to King County Elections: Obtained by PolitickerWA.comThe 46th Legislative District's race to succeed Rep. Jim McIntire for state representative in Position 1 has been no stranger to controversy this spring. There is a debate over who actually won the district line from the precinct committee, and now the two leading Democratic candidates are arguing over whether one of them is even in the race anymore.

On the afternoon of Friday, June 13, Erica C. Barnett at The Stranger reported that Scott White, a leading candidate, had withdrawn from the race upon receiving the news that he had come down with a case of pneumonia.

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Politicker PhotoTen hours after the meeting ended, the 46th District Democrats still do not have a clear nominee for State Representative in position 1.

At the end of a long Legislative District meeting that saw a passionate exchange of ideas, and nearly a last minute change of procedure to take the nomination power away from the Precinct Committee Officers, Gerry Pollet was announced the winner of the PCO vote just before 10PM.

However, the apparent victory would only last a few hours. Early the next morning, White contacted PolitickerWA.com with news that a third recount had been completed showing White ahead of Pollet 334-329, but the vailidity of the recount remains in question.

UPDATE: The 46th LD Chair confirms that no official recount has taken place. That news suggests that Pollet is, in fact, the nominee. More to come.

Monday was the deadline for reporting April contributions and expenditures for campaigns here in Washington. Now that six months remain until election day, PolitickerWA.com will begin a monthly rundown of the financial status of the state's top races.

Here is how things stand as of April 30, 2008. The first number listed is contributions, the second number is expenditures and the third number is the difference between the two. Precluding any unusual circumstances, that third number is equal to cash on hand. The candidate with the most cash on hand is listed at the top of each section.