WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. – The Whatcom County Council wants to know more about the nominees to fill the late state Senator Doug Ericksen’s 42nd District position.
The county Republican party forwarded three names for the council to consider at its meeting Tuesday afternoon.
The list includes Tawsha Dykstra Thompson, Simon Sefzik and County Council member Ben Elenbaas, .
Councilmember Rud Browne presented a list of questions he’d like the nominees to answer before an appointment is made.
Three other members agreed with Browne so the council forwarded the list to the candidates.
They have until Friday to submit their responses and the council will make a final appointment to the position next Tuesday, January 11th.
The state legislative session begins on Monday.
Whatcom County Republican Party Chair John Ramsey blasted the council’s lack of action, calling it a “stunning dereliction of duty.”
He released a statement claiming that the four members who voted for the delay were swayed by an email blast by special interest activists.
He says 42nd District residents who were affected by the November flood are left without representation as the legislative session gets underway.