James Ruchti, a former Democratic state representative and the attorney today representing Sen. Mark Nye, D-Pocatello, in his GOP opponent’s challenge of the Senate election results, told the Senate State Affairs Committee such contests have only been filed twice before in state history, one in 1980-81 and one in 1945.

“In the previous contests of the election, the Senate did not do away with the election, and it makes sense as to why,” Ruchti said. “One of the most fundamental aspects of our democracy is the idea that the people in a given area can choose who represents them in the Legislature, who represents them on the bench in some instances, and who represents them in executive office. It’s fundamental to our democracy, and it’s necessary so that people have confidence in what their government does. What is being asked of you today … is extraordinary.”

“Mr. Katsilometes  is asking you to contemplate using the power of government to throw out the democratically expressed will of the people of District 29 in Pocatello. Thousands of people voted in that election. My guess is only a very, very small handful know that this morning a committee of the state Senate is contemplating whether they should do away with those election results. That’s significant. … I think all districts in the state would be extremely alarmed that the government would come in and essentially undo what the people had done.”