We did all of this so far (hat tip, 1889 Washington Constitutional Convention):
That the person appointed to fill the vacancy must be from the same legislative district, county, or county commissioner or council district and the same political party as the legislator or partisan county elective officer whose office has been vacated, and shall be one of three persons who shall be nominated by the county central committee of that party,
Now, we’re in for this (apparently):
and in case a majority of the members of the county legislative authority do not agree upon the appointment within sixty days after the vacancy occurs, the governor shall within thirty days thereafter, and from the list of nominees provided for herein, appoint a person who shall be from the same legislative district, county, or county commissioner or council district and of the same political party as the legislator or partisan county elective officer whose office has been vacated,
So, the governor has to choose from the list the PCOs prepared two nights ago and she has 90 days from the beginning of January.
Now, I’m thinking that its raining outside, there’s going to be state emergencies declared, legislative sessions starts next week and the state budget is not in good shape, to say the least.
I mean, can’t the governor spare a few minutes to make a decision for us?
I think Ken hits the nail on the head:
I find it hard to believe that just 24 hours after getting the names from Jim Cooper, that the commissioners are at an impasse. This whole thing looks preordained to me; arguably an abdication of responsibility, given the lack of time given to reflect on the vote by the PCOs. Part of politics is being able to compromise, but it looks like minds were made up before the PCOs voted.
I would never argue that just because the PCOs are PCOs they would obviously make the right decision. I happen to think otherwise, but in this case I think they might the best choice. Not going through the process of interviewing the three candidates, but just immediately throwing up hands just seems really weird.
This also reminds me of the last time a local government gave up the ghose on choosing some replacements. The Olympia School Board at least put up a huge fight trying to pick a name, but they eventually kicked it up to a higher power as well. Jim Anderson did some great blogging on that process here. This is a particularly good post.
Maybe commissioners Romero and Wolfe don’t have the fight in them, but it would have been nice to at least see them try.
Steven J. Drew says;
Actually Emmett, if you read the constitution again, you will see that the Governor is not empowered with the authority to make the choice until the 61’st day and within the following 30 days.
The statute reads:
” and in case a majority of the members of the county legislative authority do not agree upon the appointment within sixty days after the vacancy occurs, the governor shall within thirty days thereafter”
Now, I share your view that filling the vacancy sooner rather than later would be a plus. Still, their are two ways the time between now and the 60’th day might be put to better use. First, would be for the commissioners to interview the three candidates in some detail and to deliberate and weigh the choices at greater length.
Second, the commissioners could request the central committee to re-open the process and take a second vote on three names to pass forward. No statute prevents this. All it would take is a motion to reconsider at the next regular or special TCD meeting. The result may be the same or we may see a choice presented that both commissioners can be satisfied with.
I am very disappointed with Kathy Wolfe. The Party created a very transparent process that vetted 11 candidates carefully and thoroughly. 81 elected PCOs representing thousands of voters put a lot of thought into our selection and nominated Karen V. with an overwhelming majority. Kathy’s refusal to accept her party’s decision is a slap in the face.
What troubles me is Kathy has done this and there is little to nothing the Central Committee can do to hold her accountable to the Party that has worked so hard for so long to insure her political career.
I had three criteria for the Commissioner candidates. The ability to do the job, the ability to run a campaign, and most importantly someone who has a vision for Thurston County. Ms. Bogni was bereft of the last two.
Come on Karen, do the right thing. Accept the collective wisdom of your fellow Democrats. Appoint Karen to the job.
Laurian Weisser PCO Oly 204