Both Sen. Mark Nye, D-Pocatello, and his GOP challenger, Tom Katsilometes, are represented by attorneys this morning for the election contest hearing in the Senate State Affairs Committee. Katsilometes’ attorney is Kahle Becker; Nye is represented by former state Rep. James Ruchti, and also is accompanied by former Idaho Attorney General David Leroy.

Becker spoke first. He said his client is not on a “Republican witch hunt” against one of the few Democrats serving in the Idaho Senate. “My client simply wants a fair election, and his only desire is to one day represent the good citizens of Pocatello in creating jobs and otherwise making government more efficient,” he said.

There are three charges: Violation of Idaho’s Sunshine law; violations regarding whether vote-tabulating machines were properly certified and functioning; and violations in the canvass and election results. Becker said he’s representing Katsilometes on the Sunshine law issue; Katsilometes, who also is an attorney (as is Nye), will represent himself on the election results and certification of the ballots.