In a unanimous opinion issued this morning, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled that a recall petition filed against Councilmember Kshama Sawant may move forward. It found that three of the four charges in the petition were both factually and legally sufficient to justify a recall election.
Continue readingCategory: ethics
Sawant recall petition now awaiting state Supreme Court ruling
Last week the final legal briefs were filed with the Washington State Supreme Court in Councilmember Sawant’s challenge to a recall petition. In late September four charges against her were certified by a King County Superior Court judge, and Sawant subsequently appealed that decision. Now it’s up to the Supreme Court to decide whether any of the charges can continue on to the signature-gathering phase.
Continue readingThe Sawant recall: a tale of two campaigns
As the legal proceedings in the effort to recall District 3 City Council member Sawant begin to wind down, the election campaigns — both for and against recall — are spinning up. Over the last two months the “Recall Sawant” campaign and the “Kshama Solidarity” campaign have both formally organized, filed their paperwork, and begun furious fundraising. While there are many similarities between the two sides of the recall — including their use of mailchimp to send out regular missives demonizing their opponent while pleading for money (Recall Sawant, Kshama Solidarity) — their campaign finance filings reveal some stark differences …
Continue readingState Supreme Court sets schedule to decide Sawant recall petition appeal
Today the Washington State Supreme Court set the briefing schedule for Council member Sawant’s appeal of a lower court’s certification of a recall petition against her, with an expectation that it will decide the matter in early January.
Continue readingCatching up on the recall petitions
Two recall petitions — for Mayor Durkan and Council member Sawant — are moving through the court systems. Let’s check in.
Continue readingJudge certifies recall petition against Sawant
After this morning’s hour-long hearing, late this afternoon King County Superior Court Judge Jim Rogers certified four charges in a recall petition against Council member Sawant to be factually and legally sufficient to proceed to the signature-gathering phase of the recall effort.
Continue readingSawant recall effort heads to pivotal hearing Wednesday
On Wednesday a King County Superior Court judge will hold a hearing on whether to certify the recall petition against Council member Sawant.
Continue readingCatching up on Sawant’s alleged misdeeds
There are several pending allegations of law-breaking against Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant. Let’s get caught up on where they currently stand.
Continue readingCity elected officials submit their annual financial disclosure forms
Each year, the eleven elected city officials in Seattle are required by law to submit a financial disclosure form by April 15, so that we can better understand financial investments, pressures, and potential conflicts of interest they may have. Here are this year’s forms.
Continue readingSawant responds to ethics commission charges
This afternoon, Council member Sawant issued a statement in response to the charges of ethics violations filed against her yesterday by the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission.
Continue reading