KC GOP unlikely to reconvene
Thursday, April 26th, 2012The odds are long that Kitsap Republicans will be able to meet again to fill out its delegate roster for the state convention, said state party chairman Kirby Wilbur late on Wednesday. County Republicans met Saturday, but the convention ended with the party only choosing 14 of the 64 delegates allotted for the state convention.
Wilbur said the Republican National Committee offered some guidance as to how the county convention could be reopened just to finish picking delegates, but he said national officials were cautious. Wilbur, himself, is concerned about consequences beyond Kitsap County.
“I really, really do want to do something for Kitsap,” Wilbur said. But, “I’m inclined to do nothing because of the Pandora’s box I would open with the other two counties.”
Republicans in Clark County and Chelan County also ended their conventions without completing a full slate. Both, however, were able to pick more than half.
What made Wilbur consider making an exception was Kitsap’s count being so low, but he said he is afraid of establishing a precedent that could have an impact in the other two counties this year and in convention processes in the future.
Another issue is whether county Republicans could muster up enough attendance again to have a quorum. Estimates of Saturday’s attendance run between 700 and 800 people. Even if it was as low as 600, it would mean at least 301 people would have to be in the second meeting during the voting. Wilbur doesn’t relish the thought of 285 people showing up and having nothing to do.
Wilbur said a final decision could be made Thursday.
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