A Real 'D'oh!' For Democrats: 502 Write-In Votes Went To Ron Sims

SEATTLE - In yet another example of how every vote matters. King County Executive Ron Sims failed to get the Democratic nomination for governor, but many voters in the general election put him on the ballot anyway.

Sims picked up 502 write-in votes in King County alone, a critical blow to Democrat Christine Gregoire, who trails Republican Dino Rossi in the governor's race by 42 ballots.

And to make it worse, the votes for Sims, who campaigned for Gregoire in the general election, didn't count anyway because state law prohibits a losing candidate in the primary from being a write-in in the general election.

Gov. Gary Locke, who chose not to run for a third term, received 40 write-ins in King County and 15 in Snohomish County, according to numbers released Monday by elections officials. Even his wife, Mona, picked up a vote.

There were 28 write-ins for Democrat Phil Talmadge, who dropped out of the governor's race earlier this year.

Others were for retired Mariner Edgar Martinez (9), outfielder Ichiro Suzuki (3), Microsoft co-founder and chairman Bill Gates and wife, Melinda (2 each).

Rock star Alice Cooper and God each got two votes and Ralph Nader five.

And our own Kathi Goertzen received one write-in vote.

Secretary of State Sam Reed certified the election Tuesday, and Democrats have three days to request a recount, either statewide or in selected counties and precincts. If a partial recount changes the outcome, state law requires a statewide hand recount.