HD 54 Perspective

The matter of who will represent HD 54 as its Democratic Party nominee (and presumably its representative) now goes to the party’s Executive Committee tomorrow. An observer of the whole HD 54 situation helped me with some perspective that I think is worth mentioning.

• Todd has two chances to win on Saturday. If the Executive Committee does not uphold the sub-committee’s ruling, then we are back to our starting place where Todd is the nominee. Hendricks’ side is now not challenging the vote totals.

• If the Executive Committee does uphold the sub-committee’s ruling, then the Executive Committee will fill the vacancy. Todd has a strong argument that she should be that nominee as she reflects the will of the voters.
• Thursday’s ruling is much better for Todd than it could have been, and better than many expected. Many expected a ruling against Todd and in Hendricks’ favor. A 3-2 ruling specifically against Todd in yesterday’s committee hearing would have had a greater negative impact.
• The Executive Committee that will consider the issue tomorrow is more representative of the whole state than yesterday’s 5-member committee.
• As frustrated as people are with the party about this, yesterday’s hearing could have worked out much worse for the party. As it happened, the sub-committee did not split down racial lines, and the full Executive Committee will now consider the matter.

Of course, in the end, if Todd feels like she has been denied justice, court is still an option. I sense from those-who-know-more-than-I that Hendricks is unlikely to emerge as the ultimate nominee.