Will Didier’s Complaint Against Newhouse Supporter Affect 4th District Election?

A judge in Spokane has agreed to hear 4th District candidate Clint Didier's motion against Washington State Potato Commission Executive Director Chris Voigt.

Didier's motion claims Voigt is using the resources of the Potato Commission to help further the Dan Newhouse campaign in the 4th District Congressional race. While Voigt countered the Potato Commission isn't a state agency, and is paid for by potato growers, the Washington State Executive Ethics Board officials found sufficient merit and evidence in Didier's motion that Voigt has used, or is using, state resources to support the campaigns of Newhouse and Senator Patty Murray.

Voigt is the lead official for the Newhouse election campaign in Grant County.   Judge Thomas O. Rice has scheduled a preliminary injunction hearing for October 29th in Spokane.

Didier's motion seeks to force Vogt to immediately stop using Potato Commission resources and state resources to help Newhouse.  Didier claims emails, letters and other Commission resources were directly used for campaign purposes, implying the Commission supports Newhouse as a candidate.   The Commission is supposed to be a non-partisan entity that helps in the overall growing, marketing and success of Washington's potato farmers and their industry.

Some critics say Newhouse's ties to the Commission when he was State Agriculture Director have clouded this issue, while others dismiss Didier's claims as unfounded.   Didier also seeks to receive damages because his civil rights (to a fair election) were violated, and legal fees compensated.

What remains to be seen is any potential effect this may have on the hotly-contested election.   For the first time in state history, two candidates from the same party are seeking election to a Congressional position.   Both are running to replace the retiring Doc Hastings.

Didier emerged from a large group of GOP candidates as did Newhouse.   Didier won the primary by six points,  but a large number of voters in recent polls have said they are undecided.  No other candidate on either side in the primary was very close to the two when the votes were tabulated.

Some election experts are comparing this to other races around the nation, as a grassroots "upstart" conservative vs. a candidate backed by the GOP establishment.     While Didier has received official endorsements from Sarah Palin,  talk show host Mark Levin, Freedomworks,  Senator Rick Santorum,  Ron Paul and others;  Newhouse has received like support from Doc Hastings,   Former Gov. candidate and state AG Rob McKenna, and the Washington State Farm Bureau.

Judging from the endorsement lineup on either side,  it can be said while Didier is the grassroots candidate,  Newhouse is clearly the candidate of the GOP establishment. Didier supporters are hoping to utilize the growing frustration and mistrust of the GOP establishment to their favor in the campaign.