Republican Doug Sutherland fails to show up for AWB debate with Peter Goldmark

This morning, the two candidates for Commissioner of Public Lands (Incumbent Republican Doug Sutherland and Democratic challenger Peter Goldmark) were scheduled to debate before the Association of Washington Business Policy Summit in Blaine. (The event, we at NPI understand, is held annually).

But when it came time for the candidates to face off, Sutherland was nowhere to be found. As a result, the debate turned into a question and answer session with Peter Goldmark, who did show up as he promised he would.

It turns out that Sutherland was absent because he thought the debate was taking place later in the day. The Bellingham Herald's Sam Taylor reports:

11:07 a.m. - Sounds like they canceled Sutherland. Democratic candidate Peter Goldmark is going to go at it alone I’ve been told.

[...]

11:09 a.m. - An announcer says that Sutherland is actually around Mount Vernon. He had written the wrong time down to attend this event. People in the crowd could be heard grumbling about his tardiness.

An explanation of what the public lands commissioner does: They manage 5 million state-owned acres in trust. Also manages the state Department of Natural Resources.

It's kind of hilarious that Doug Sutherland ended up (unintentionally) blowing off the Association of Washington Business. What does that say about his abilities as a leader? The first rule in politics is show up.

Now, everyone makes mistakes with their calendars from time to time, but doesn't Doug have at least one person on his campaign staff who is tasked with the responsibility of putting together the schedule and verifying its accuracy?

Sam Taylor has posted an excellent recap of Goldmark's address to the Association of Washington Business that we strongly encourage you to read. (You have to scroll to the bottom to start from the beginning, though).

Great reporting, Sam!