House candidate says she will skip nominating convention

Ann McDonald, a Democratic candidate for the state Legislature from the 10th District, announced late last week that she will not participate in the party’s nominating convention next week.

Democrats from the 10th District will meet Thursday, May 22, at Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon to select candidates to represent the Democratic Party in this year’s election.

In a statement to the press, McDonald said it was her

“personal belief that the non-binding vote among party leaders violates the spirit of the recent Supreme Court ruling.”

In March, the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated Washington’s top-two primary. The high court reversed a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision that abolished the state’s top-two primary system.

Washington voters picked the top-two primary when they passed Initiative 872 in 2004.

“I don’t need a group of three dozen party leaders to reaffirm my credentials as a Democrat,” McDonald said in the statement.

“I am seeking to represent all the people of the district, and will continue to take my campaign to doorsteps and diners from Oak Harbor to Arlington to meet with people from all walks of life,” she said.

McDonald is running against fellow Democrat Patricia Terry for the District 10, Position 2 seat in the State House of Representatives. Both Democrats are hoping to unseat incumbent Republican Barbara Bailey.

Democratic Party rules state that precinct committee officers must vote to select the party’s candidates for the ballot at the upcoming convention. If precinct committee officers do not select candidates for the election, the state chairman of the party will pick the candidates.

The 10th District includes Island County and parts of Skagit and Snohomish counties.

McDonald did not return a call for additional comment earlier this week.

Brian Kelly can be reached at 221-5300 or bkelly@southwhidbeyrecord.com.

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