Congressional decision allows DelBene to take seat before certification of election

By Evan Smith

Shoreline, north Lake Forest Park and the rest of the old 1st Congressional District haven't been represented in Congress since Jay Inslee resigned to run for governor.

That special election we had on recent ballots was supposed to fill the seat from the Dec. 6 certification of the election until the new Congress convenes in January, but Democrat Susan DelBene took office this week, about three weeks earlier than expected.

Katie Blinn, Washington co-director of elections in the secretary of state’s office, sent this explanation Nov. 9:

“The Clerk of the U.S. House decides when the candidate may be seated. They requested that our office provide the unofficial results as soon as possible, if the outcome was clear. I think that, if the outcome of the election is clear, the U.S. House doesn't feel obligated to wait until the election is certified. Apparently they have done this in the past.”

DelBene leads Republican John Koster for the short term in the old 1st District 60 percent to 40 percent. She also leads Koster for a full term in the new 1st District, which includes the inland areas of King, Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties, by a 54-46 margin.

DelBene is scheduled to take the oath of office for the full term with other new and returning members of the House of Representatives in early January.