A Columbian editorial (“The remarkable tale of three Bob Fergusons,” In Our View, May 15) seemed to make light of the situation. It’s not funny. Glen Morgan is a political operative. He organized a conspiracy to commit election interference, recruiting other people named Bob Ferguson to run for governor, paying for their filing fees and providing a single mailing address for them.
You objected to the real candidate Ferguson saying he would ask local prosecutors to pursue further action if the fake candidates didn’t withdraw. You are wrong that he overstepped as a candidate because he is also the attorney general. Every other major candidate would likewise request legal action in this circumstance.
Morgan should still be charged with conspiracy to commit a Class B felony (RCW 29A.84.320) “intent to confuse and mislead electors,” the state law you cited in the editorial. As well he could be charged with conspiracy to commit a gross misdemeanor (RCW 29A.84.630) for “attempts to influence any person in refusing to give his or her vote.” In this case he was organizing a conspiracy to deprive people of their vote for the real Bob Ferguson.
We need to take this election seriously.
