The election of a new Vice Chair for the 32nd Legislative District Democrats during a July 24 picnic at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park caused controversy about whether the election was appropriate — and the concern was not about mixing business with pleasure.
Rev. Allyn Llyr, a Precinct Committee Officer (PCO), was absent from the picnic, where Jean Thomas was elected to replace Pat Foley. He says he may launch a formal investigation of the matter when he returns from the Democratic National Convention, which ends July 29.
Llyr pointed out his concern regarding the election for a number of reasons, which he highlighted in e-mails sent to group members.
Llyr stated that since members previously decided there would not be meetings in July and August, the turnout for the election could either be “non-existent or stacked by an unscrupulous person.”
He wrote that many PCOs will not receive notice of the event as the e-mail distribution list with the message was not sent to all active district members. Llyr also pointed out that a written notice was not sent out until 10 p.m. July 15, nine days before the scheduled election.
In a reply message to Llyr’s e-mail, Greg Rodriguez, chair of the King County Democrats, stated that written notification would follow the e-mail distribution and would be completed within the 10-day required notification period.
“As the County Chair, I am 100 percent comfortable with this issue going forward and the 32nd District’s election of a new Vice Chair,” Rodriguez wrote in the e-mail.
Rodriguez also replied that the written notice did not have to arrive 10 days before the event, but must be printed and ready to be mailed.
In the group e-mails he composed, Llyr also mentioned that he might feel compelled to launch an investigation.
According to Llyr’s e-mail regarding the election at the picnic, “If this goes forth, I feel my conscience will compel me to ask for a formal investigation to be launched by the County and State party as to the legality and timing of this unorthodox action.”
In response, Rodriguez pointed out that there are only six months until reorganization, when new officers will be elected. The new Vice Chair’s term ends Dec. 31. Rodriguez felt there was no need for an investigation.
“There are more diplomatic ways to question things than to threaten lawsuits,” Rodriguez wrote.
District Chair Dan Harkleroad said only two members were away at the Democratic National Convention, Llyr and his wife. He said Llyr was the only member who expressed concern about the election.
“He has had concerns in the past in how we operate,” Harkleroad said of Llyr. “So this is not a new concern of his.”
Harkleroad said it is not usual to have elections at events such as picnics, but it was determined to be legitimate in this case because a new Vice Chair needed to be elected in a timely manner.
He said the attendance at the picnic was fewer people than usual, but he suspects that was due to the heat.
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