PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County Democratic Party’s executive board on Wednesday named retired astronaut and Shine-area environmental activist John Fabian as temporary party chairman.
Fabian, in turn, appointed Phyllis Schultz as temporary recording secretary and Peggy Harju as temporary vice-chair.
Sue Marett will continue as treasurer.
A news release Thursday said that the executive board on Wednesday met in special session with board members Phil Andrus, Earl Burgett, Fabian, Harju, Marett, Ron Nelson, Lisa Painter, Schultz and Jeannette Woodruff present.
Also present was John Pollock, 6th Congressional District chairman and member of the State Party Executive Board, representing Washington State Democratic Party Chair Paul Berendt.
Pollock attended to sanction and observed the meeting.
The executive board accepted the resignations of the previous chairman, vice chairman, secretary, membership chair and fundraising chairman.
Party Chair Peggy Ann Bierbaum resigned last week along with five other executive board members, the result of an inner-party rift last week over the correct primary process for the selection of candidates.
Also resigning in protest were party vice chair Larry McKeehan, secretary Diane Frame, communications chair Connie Gallant, membership chair Molly Mulvaney and fundraising chair Harvey Putterman.
Meanwhile, Nelson and Woodruff remain as state committeeman and committeewoman.
Dave Woodruff was re-appointed as an executive board member and program chairman. Peter Want was appointed as a member of the executive board, communications chairman and Web master.
A permanent chair and vice chair will be elected by the precinct committee officers on June 28. The general membership will elect a secretary on the same date.