I am disappointed with the Wednesday editorial, “Senate should seat Harper.” The reasoning of the piece was flawed and it gave in to fear mongering. I expect better of The Herald.
Lisa MacLean and Moxie Media’s actions changed the outcome of the August primary. They paid for polling to be done and found that Berkey would make it through to the general election where she would have a much wider appeal than Harper, so they used illegal and unethical means to oust her.
The voters in our district deserve a fair election untainted by illegal actions.
A special election, contrary to your view, is a good idea. There are laws on the books for how to handle special elections, including campaign timing, so no one need worry that there will be confusion. A special election would allow the voters in our district to make an informed decision without illegal schemes deliberately misleading them.
If Mr. Harper were seated, we would never know if he would have won a fair election, and so we will never know if the voters sent him to Olympia to represent us, or if it was Moxie Media.
My final point will address your concern that setting aside this election will set a bad precedent. This case is moving forward because several investigators found compelling evidence of numerous broken and flouted laws, and a state agency decided those violations were too severe for a simple fine and admission of guilt.
If other losers are in that kind of situation, they should challenge their loss. When the rights of the people to a fair and knowledgeable election are violated, then the courts should remedy the situation. I highly doubt, however, that there will ever be a situation quite like this again.
Jono Hanks
Everett
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