The King County Republican Party Chair, Lori Sotelo, and her subordinates are already engaged in blatant caucus/convention cheating as they did in 2008 and 2010. It might finally catch up with them.
Rule Number ONE of the WSRP Convention Rules says,
A list of all precinct committee officers,… shall be made available for inspection by anyone requesting the same from the county chairman without charge or copies made available at cost.
Here is the text of the letter sent yesterday by the Ron Paul Campaign’s Legal firm to Sotelo and WSRP Chair, Kirby Wilbur:
February 29, 2012
Mr. Kirby Wilbur
Chairman Washington State
Republican Party
Washington State Republican Party
11811 N.E. 1st Street, Suite A306
Bellevue, WA 98005
Ms. Lori Sotelo
Chairman King County
Republican Party
7424 SE 71st St
Mercer Island, WA 98040
RE: PCO Automatic Delegates
Dear Mr. Wilbur and Ms. Sotelo:
Our firm represents the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign
Committee, Inc. (the “Paul Campaign”). It has come to our attention that there appear to be substantial irregularities regarding the appointment of Precinct Chief Officers (“PCOs”) in King County.
According to party rules, PCOs who are automatic delegates to the state convention must have been appointed to that position by December 14, 2011.
Most counties in the state of Washington have released this information to the public.
Ms. Sotelo, in her role as King County GOP Chairman, has decided to interpret the rule that this list of appointed persons be made public prior to the caucus, means that the list will be made available for public inspection on Friday, March 2 for 2 hours.
Rule 1 of the State GOP bylaws states:
“No earlier than December 1, 2011 nor later than December 14,
2011 the chairman of each county central committee shall submit
a list of all precinct committee officers, all non-resident precinct “chairmen”, and all vacant precincts.”
This rule clearly exists to ensure there are no “last minute” appointments of automatic delegates. Ms. Sotelo’s steadfast refusal to release the name of the automatic delegates has some of our supporters concerned that there may be efforts to insert appointed PCOs after the December 14th deadline.
We intend to contact all the appointed PCOs and ascertain when they were appointed. If we determine that any were offered this position after the December 14 deadline we will ask the credentials committee not to seat any of the appointed PCO’s from King County, and will vigorously fight on the floor of
the convention to prevent their seating.
Additionally, we will vigorously contest the seating of any King County delegates at the National Convention.
I am sure that the Washington State GOP, and you as Chairman, are committed to an open and fair process that comports with the parties’ own rules and bylaws. These rules and bylaws are designed to facilitate the protection of voting rights and full and fair participation of citizens in the political process. However, the actions being taken by the King County Chairman are clearly inconsistent with this approach. Should this blatant
attempt to corrupt the process continue in King County, or anywhere else, the Paul Campaign will pursue all of the legal remedies to ensure that the process is fair and legal and that the rights of citizens participating in the process are
[not] violated.
Should you wish to discuss this matter further, please feel free to contact me at the numbers below.
Sincerely,
David Warrington
DAW/crs
cc: John Tate, RP2012 Campaign Manager
Jeff Larson, RNC Chief of Staff
They can run but they will never be able to hide.
This whole thing is really something. What a leader we have running the State GOP. Kirby’s response to the Seattle Times about this “well none of the other campaign’s are complaining about it. That’s like saying to four people who got the same dinner at a restaurant,when only one complains about it being overcooked. Well the other three didn’t complain so the food must be ok. This almost makes me think that Kirby is just Chris Vance in disguise.
Kirby Wilbur knows that King County, through the unilateral decisions of its elected empress, Sotelo, is in flagrant violation of Rule 1. Kirby Wilbur is ALSO in possession of the same, illegally withheld information, but ALSO has refused to give it to the campaign although,
by rule it is public information.
Kirby has attempted to maintain his reputation as “fair” and “impartial” that, over the decades, has greatly benefited from general ignorance of Roberts Rules of order, which, as chair of numerous Conventions, Kirby has frequently violated (ostensibly out of the same ignorance).
Why would Kirby risk all that, now, to protect a vicious, habitually dishonest, hateful partisan who cheats at every procedure she touches, openly mocking the rules?
Rumor has it that Kirby intends to support Lori Sotelo for the position of National Committeewoman because Fredi Simpson is not in the Wilbur camp. That would make this whole episode make sense. Watch those elections. If Sotelo emerges the frontrunner it will speak volumes about Kirby’s Choice.
The question, once only debated privately among seasoned political veterans, is now before the whole Party:
“Which does Kirby put first – principle or personal gain?”
Interesting stuff Doug. Well considering that Kirby endorsed Lori Sotelo for reelection the previous cycle for King County chair. It comes as no surprise to me. I think Kirby is doing this because he’s looking ahead to the next State GOP reorganization meeting. He thinks getting Sotelo’s support is key to him getting reelected. You know the old you support me and I will support you. Ethics be damned so long as I win.