DC Republicans Plan to Challenge Election Results

Just when the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics thought it had made it through the November election without any catastrophic problems, members of the D.C. Republican Party said they plan to present evidence today to show that the general election was riddled with major problems and should not be certified.

"We believe and we will be arguing to the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics that it is unlawful for them to certify the election," said Paul Craney, executive director of the DC Republican Party, who will hold a news conference call today with the party's lawyer.

The party fielded candidates in several races, but the biggest contest was in the At-large race for the D.C. Council in which GOP candidate Patrick Mara was in a field of candidates who lost to Michael Brown, a former Democrat who ran as an independent in the general election.

In September Mara defeated Republican incumbent Carol Schwartz, who ran a write-in campaign for the November race.

Board spokesman Dan Murphy said last night he was puzzled by the GOP's announcement.

"Traditionally we certify within 15 days from the election, but there is no specific legal deadline by which the election must be certified," he said. "To my knowlege the DC Republican Party has not filed any complaint with this office."

Hamil R. Harris

By Hamil Harris |  November 20, 2008; 7:00 AM ET  | Category:  2008 District Election , Voting Rights
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