By Doug Petrowski
Although he was hoping to run against incumbent Democrat Luis Moscoso for District 1, Position 2 State Representative, Republican Mark T. Davies was ruled ineligible for the Aug. 7 primary ballot by falling one signature short on the required filing fee petition, according to his wife and campaign manager Eva Davies. With Davies off the ballot, Moscoso’s name will be the only one officially appearing on the ballot.
State Legislative District 1 includes all of Mountlake Terrace east of I-5, in addition to Brier and parts of Lynnwood, Bothell, Woodinville and Kirkland.
To be placed on the primary ballot, candidates for state legislative office must pay a filing fee of $421 or submit a petition with 421 eligible signatures from the district they want to run in. The Davies campaign collected signatures, but too many were from non-registered voters, or voters no longer living in District 1 due to the recent state redrawing of district boundaries.
The Secretary of State’s Election Division confirmed the Davies’ campaign came up “less than five” signatures short of qualifying for the August ballot
“We gathered a lot of signatures,” Eva Davies said, “but a lot of them were from the old District 1. Many of them were re-districted out. It was very frustrating for us, especially for Mark.”
Although his name won’t appear on the primary ballot, Davies hasn’t ruled out a run for the legislative post. Eva Davies reported that her husband is consulting with advisers and friends about a possible write-in campaign for the position.
“Decisions will be made within the week,” Davies said.
To be a “declared write-in candidate,” the campaign would have to file with the Secretary of State’s office again, with the proper fee or a qualifying signature petition. Then if Davies receives at least 1 percent of the District 1 Position 2 vote on Aug. 7, his name will appear in the general election voters’ pamphlet and on the November ballot.
The Davies campaign has until Aug. 6, the day before the primary election ballots are due in the mail, to file as a declared write-in candidate.
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