Good evening from Seattle. I’m here at the Rainier Arts Center, where the Democratic precinct committee officers of the 37th Legislative District are gathered to draw up a list of candidates to succeed U.S. Representative-elect Pramila Jayapal, who has submitted her resignation effective December 11th, 2016.
Because Pramila is heading to the Other Washington to represent Washington;s 7th Congressional District, a vacancy now exists for state senator in the 37th. The Washington State Constitution stipulates that the process for filling a Democratic legislative vacancy begins with the naming of three candidates from the same district and of the same party by the Washington State Democratic Central Committee (WSDCC) or the relevant county Democratic central committee.
The WSDCC, of which I am a member, specifies in its bylaws that when a vacancy is declared, the county or state party chair shall call a special nominating caucus of precinct committee officers from that district for the purpose of drawing up a list of three names to recommend to the King County Council for its consideration.
That’s what’s happening tonight. I will be updating this post at periodic intervals to summarize the proceedings that are taking place.
7:45 PM: The names of eight candidates have been placed into nomination.
- Shasti Conrad
- Juan Cotto
- Jesse Weinberry
- Rory O’Sullivan
- Rebecca Saldaña
- Bob Rosenberger
- John Stafford
- Sheley Secrest
The South Seattle Emerald has a primer on all the candidates.
Rebecca Saldaña is Pramila Jayapal’s choice for the job.
8 PM: Jesse Weinberry has withdrawn his name from consideration after using his five minutes to complain that only newly-elected precinct committee officers for 2017–2018 are allowed to vote in this caucus.
8:41 PM: The first round of voting has been completed and the results announced. 81 ballots were cast and 1 of those was spoiled.
- Jesse Weinberry: 1 vote
- Sheley Secrest: 2 votes
- Juan Cotto: 3 votes
- Bob Rosenberger: 5 votes
- John Stafford: 6 votes
- Shasti Conrad: 7 votes
- Rebecca Saldaña: 28 votes
- Rory O’Sullivan: 30 votes
8:54 PM: A runoff was held to determine who would be ranked first on the list of three. The results of the runoff were as follows:
- Rebecca Saldaña: 35 votes
- Rory O’Sullivan: 46 votes
Rory’s name will appear first on the list of three names.
9:14 PM: A third round of balloting, to determine the second name on the list, has just been completed. 78 ballots were cast in the third round of voting (with none spoiled) and these were the results:
- Jesse Weinberry: 1 vote
- Bob Rosenberger: 2 votes
- Sheley Secrest: 4 votes
- Juan Cotto: 5 votes
- John Stafford: 6 votes
- Shasti Conrad: 14 votes
- Rebecca Saldaña: 46 votes
Rebecca received more than a majority, so there will be no runoff for second place. Her name will appear second on the list of three names.
9:27 PM: A fourth round of balloting has been completed, to determine the third-ranked name. Seventy votes were cast. Results were as follows:
- Bob Rosenberger: 1 vote
- Sheley Secret: 5 votes
- Juan Cotto: 12 votes
- John Stafford: 20 votes
- Shasti Conrad: 32 votes
There will be one final round of balloting — a runoff to determine third place.