Fenty nominates Togo West to election bd
D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty nominated Thursday former Army secretary Togo D. West Jr. to be the new chairman of the election board, a move that could defuse a long-running battle over appointments.
West, who was also former secretary of Veteran Affairs, most recently co-led the Pentagon inquiry into the Fort Hood shootings that left 13 people dead.
The D.C. Council and Fenty have often clashed over the mayor’s nominees for boards and commissions. The high-profile pick may quash a potential fight over the selection of a replacement for Errol Arthur, who announced Monday that he will resign Aug. 2 to become a Superior Court magistrate judge.
With little time before the primary, Arthur's resignation would leave the three-member Board of Elections and Ethics without a quorum to operate. Since February 2009, the board has been functioning with just two members. Lorrena Cole, the minority party member of the board, resigned following the 2008 elections and the council and the mayor have been unable to agree on a replacement.
--Nikita Stewart and Tim Craig
By
Washington Post editors
| July 22, 2010; 5:58 PM ET
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Posted by: starclimber9 | July 22, 2010 6:44 PM | Report abuse
Agreed as to the need for federal oversight, starclimber.
As of now, I have no reason to doubt Mr. West's integrity... but given Emperor Adrian's actions to date, I cannot help but wonder whether some under-the-table deal has been made. After all, there's no shortage of money, strong-arm tactics, and shady characters in the Fenty campaign.
Posted by: nan_lynn | July 22, 2010 7:18 PM | Report abuse
Togo West chairing the DC Elections Board is like hiring Leonardo da Vinci to paint your basement. I am sure he will do a fine job but this assignment is way beneath his capabilities.
Posted by: realvirginian1 | July 22, 2010 8:15 PM | Report abuse
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High profile or not, I would still have the FBI oversee this election!!!