Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
COLFAX — The nationwide “Stop the Steal” protest will hit close to home Wednesday afternoon.
Local Republicans are planning to rally from noon to 4 p.m. at the Codger Pole on Main Street to oppose approval of the Electoral College vote in Congress.
The protest coincides with similar events taking place across the region and in Washington, D.C.
Former state Rep. Matt Shea, R-Spokane Valley, will be leading the protest that takes place simultaneously on the steps of the Spokane Valley Courthouse, 1116 W. Broadway Ave.
Meanwhile in Washington, D.C., Washington 5th Congressional District Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers says she will also oppose the Electoral College vote.
“Our founders set up a system to give representation to ‘We, The People’ and ensure our voices are heard. With historic turnout, razor-thin margins, and dramatic changes to voting processes in the midst of a global pandemic, people understandably have many questions about the integrity of the 2020 presidential election,” she said. “This week’s vote is not about overturning an election. It is about examining allegations of potential fraud, certifying that states are protecting election integrity, and ensuring people’s voices are heard.”
McMorris Rodgers will be joined in opposition by what is expected to be more than a hundred Congressional Republicans. A group of Republican senators have also called for a study of vote tallies.
“I will support the objections to Electoral College vote counts in states where there have been allegations of voter fraud and questions raised about the legality of changes to state election law,” she said. “I will continue to fight for answers for the people I represent and make sure their voices are heard.”
McMorris Rodgers did not say which states’ Electoral College votes she will oppose.
By contrast, Washington 4th Congressional District Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Sunnyside, will be joining his “fellow constitutional conservatives” — U.S. Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Kelley Armstrong of North Dakota, Ken Buck of Colorado, Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, Nancy Mace of South Carolina, Tom McClintock of California and Chip Roy of Texas — to certify the electoral votes.
“We must respect the states’ authority here,” the group said in a statement released Sunday. “Though doing so may frustrate our immediate political objectives, we have sworn an oath to promote the Constitution above our policy goals.”
Newhouse represents Central Washington, including the counties of Douglas, Okanogan, Grant, Yakima, Franklin, Benton and Adams.
Judges in multiple states, including the Supreme Court, have ruled against claims of voter fraud effecting election results in the 2020 presidential race. Former U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr has said he has not seen evidence of widespread fraud to affect the outcome. The electoral college declared Joe Biden the winner by a 306-232 margin.
McMorris-Rodgers’ 5th Congressional District covers Eastern Washington, including the counties of Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla and Whitman.
Roger Harnack is the co-owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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