Both sides respond to GOP Party decision

By Bryan Bissell, PolitickerWA.com Reporter

All sides involved have now responded to this morning's decision to throw out the Democratic Party's lawsuit to change the printed ballots to label gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi as a member of the Republican Party instead of preferring the "G.O.P. Party" in line with new "top two" primary rules.

The Rossi campaign responded first this morning, highlighting the potential chaos that was avoided.

"The judge made the right decision to dismiss this frivolous lawsuit, which was a desperate attempt by the incumbent to throw out military ballots and turn our election system into chaos," said Jill Strait, Rossi spokesperson

See their full statement here.

The state Democrats used portions of the decision to validate their own suit, and

"It's important to note that the judge acknowledged our substantive claim that Republican Dino Rossi's use of the confusing and redundant ‘GOP Party' moniker on the ballot -- contrary to every previous election in which he has participated as a 'Republican' -- could very well engender voter confusion and make a substantial difference in the result of the election," Washington State Democratic Party Chair Dwight Pelz said. "While we were not able to secure an emergency TRO, we are thankful for our day in court, and will not be appealing today's decision.

"It is clear from the efforts of the Rossi campaign and the Washington State Republican Party that they see this confusing and deceptive ballot title as a strategic advantage, as evidenced by their presence in court today to protect their candidate from listing the word ‘Republican' next to his name."

See the Democrats' full statement here.

Finally, the state Republican Party weighed in by saying that Gov. Chris Gregoire's "fingerprints" were all over the lawsuit, and that the judge validated their case idea that military ballots would be harmed.

"With this lawsuit Gov. Gregoire has been attempting to open the door for a challenge that will throw out overseas military ballots, while allowing someone else to do the dirty work of disenfranchising brave servicemen and women around the world," Washington State Republican Party Chair Luke Esser said. "We' re gratified that Judge Eadie recognized the threat posed by this lawsuit to overseas military voters, and delighted that all the men and women serving overseas in uniform today can rest assured that their votes will be counted."

See the full statement from the Republicans here.

Bryan Bissell is a PolitickerWA.com Reporter and can be reached via email at noreply@politicker.com.

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