Thurston County Democrats Executive Committee releases statement regarding Hyer's nomination for county treasurer

Thurston County Democrats Executive Committee announced Sunday that it will not withdraw its slate of candidates to replace outgoing county treasurer Robin Hunt. That means top nominee Joe Hyer, the Olympia councilman who faces charges of selling marijuana, will remain on the county party's nominee list.

More on this story will be in Monday's edition of The Olympian. The Sunday press release stated the following:

We support Councilmember Joe Hyer as a friend and political colleague. Joe is an integral part of the “citizen corps” that makes Olympia and Thurston County tick. Until we have seen specific charges and evidence against him it is the position of the Thurston County Democrats' (TCD) Executive Committee that Joe Hyer is innocent until proven guilty and only he, the County Commissioners, or the Judicial System can make the choice as to whether he is qualified to serve as County Treasurer.

Should Joe, or any other candidate, become unfit to serve (through withdrawal of their own name or a statement by the County Commissioners or the Courts) TCD will be constitutionally obligated to rescind our entire list of nominees for the interim appointment of County Treasurer and open the process again in order to refresh the list to three qualified applicants.