Democrats' hard choice: nominate Romero or Halvorson tonight

• Published April 28, 2008

Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court let that primary become the law — while allowing for future challenges of the runoff primary system if political parties can show voters are confused or parties are damaged.

And that’s what this crazy nomination process is all about: preserving party standing to sue if they don’t like the results after the Aug. 19 primary.

Under the top-two, the two biggest vote getters move on to the November general election ballot regardless of party affiliation. This means two Democrats in some Democratic strongholds like Seattle, and two Republicans in some rural and Eastern Washington areas.

It’s quite possible that in some communities, a Democrat disfavored by the Democratic Party will get the nod. One example that springs to mind is that of Tim Sheldon, the sometimes-Independent commissioner in Mason County, who is running for re-election as a Democrat but faces a challenge from local Democratic Party chairwoman Roslynne Reed.

The Mason Democrats haven’t nominated yet but it’s hard to imagine they wouldn’t go with Reed. And so if Sheldon and Republican Deborah Reis are top vote getters, it’s possible that the Democrats’ nominee won’t be on the ballot. And they might then use that as part of an election challenge.

So the result of the story is that Democrats who want to challenge the top-two now must make a choice like few they’ve ever had to make publicly before in primary elections. Typically the party stays neutral before the primary.

If you think you know who’ll win, Romero or Halvorson, and why, let me know. I’d like help understanding the background that gives one or the other the edge.