King County Democrats chair rejects calls for resignation

SEATTLE – An internal memo says the chair of the King County Democrats has been asked to resign by three vice-chairs of the party following allegations of “harassment, intimidation and creation of a hostile work environment.”

The Seattle Times reported Friday that the party memo alleges, among other things, that Bailey Stober repeatedly called an employee derogatory names and pressured her to have shots and drinks with him.

Stober denied the allegations Friday and said the vice-chairs had “issued preliminary findings without conducting a fair investigation or having any sort of due process.”

The memo says the vice-chairs consulted legal counsel, interviewed witnesses and found cause to believe Stober had made the comments and that “staff continuously is intimidated by him.”

County party executive board member David Ginsberg said Friday the board would appoint an ombudsman to conduct a “proper and thorough investigation.”