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Closeted-Gay Republican Mayor Recalled
Yup, another Conservative fruit shows his true rainbow colors.
Dec 7, 1:57 AM EST
Spokane Mayor Recalled in Sex Scandal
By JOHN K. WILEY
Associated Press Writer
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) -- Mayor James E. West was recalled from office Tuesday in a special election over allegations he offered jobs and perks to young men he met in a gay Internet chat room.
West, 54, must leave his position when the election results are certified Dec. 16.
Just over half of the 110,000 ballots mailed to voters were counted in the first batch of results released Tuesday night. Of those, 38,718, or 65 percent, voted to recall West, while 20,681, or 35 percent, voted to retain him.
It was unclear how many more ballots would be received. Ballots had to be postmarked by Tuesday to be valid.
"I said I'd abide by the will of the voters, obviously, and they've spoken," West told The Associated Press. "I'm at peace with their decision and disappointed."
West has spent 27 years in public office and is the city's first elected chief executive to be ousted before his term expired.
The campaign to recall him began last spring after the Spokesman-Review newspaper reported that West was a closeted homosexual who visited gay chat rooms using his city-owned laptop computer, and offered internships and other favors to young men he hoped to have sex with.
West, a former Boy Scout executive and sheriff's deputy, was elected mayor in 2003 after serving more than two decades as a conservative Republican in the state Legislature, where he voted against gay-friendly bills.
Sullivan says the recall campaign has been frustrating for her, and she hopes Mayor West survives his battle with colon cancer.
Latest News
Spokane Mayor Recalled in Sex Scandal
The recall petition contended West used his political office for personal benefit by offering a city internship to someone he thought was an 18-year-old man he had met in a gay online chat room and with whom he had sexually explicit chats.
One person West believed was a high school senior was actually a computer expert hired by the newspaper to track West's online activities.
West, who has not been charged with any crime, acknowledged making mistakes in his personal life but asked voters to give him a second chance. He has said he plans to sue the newspaper.
Spokesman-Review Editor Steven Smith said the public's decision was "the result of the mayor completely misreading the sentiment of this community."
"My guess is they wanted him out five or six months ago, but I don't think he ever got it," Smith said.
City Council President Dennis Hession will become interim mayor until the council appoints someone to finish the two years remaining on West's term.
© 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy.
Dec 7, 1:57 AM EST
Spokane Mayor Recalled in Sex Scandal
By JOHN K. WILEY
Associated Press Writer
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) -- Mayor James E. West was recalled from office Tuesday in a special election over allegations he offered jobs and perks to young men he met in a gay Internet chat room.
West, 54, must leave his position when the election results are certified Dec. 16.
Just over half of the 110,000 ballots mailed to voters were counted in the first batch of results released Tuesday night. Of those, 38,718, or 65 percent, voted to recall West, while 20,681, or 35 percent, voted to retain him.
It was unclear how many more ballots would be received. Ballots had to be postmarked by Tuesday to be valid.
"I said I'd abide by the will of the voters, obviously, and they've spoken," West told The Associated Press. "I'm at peace with their decision and disappointed."
West has spent 27 years in public office and is the city's first elected chief executive to be ousted before his term expired.
The campaign to recall him began last spring after the Spokesman-Review newspaper reported that West was a closeted homosexual who visited gay chat rooms using his city-owned laptop computer, and offered internships and other favors to young men he hoped to have sex with.
West, a former Boy Scout executive and sheriff's deputy, was elected mayor in 2003 after serving more than two decades as a conservative Republican in the state Legislature, where he voted against gay-friendly bills.
Sullivan says the recall campaign has been frustrating for her, and she hopes Mayor West survives his battle with colon cancer.
Latest News
Spokane Mayor Recalled in Sex Scandal
The recall petition contended West used his political office for personal benefit by offering a city internship to someone he thought was an 18-year-old man he had met in a gay online chat room and with whom he had sexually explicit chats.
One person West believed was a high school senior was actually a computer expert hired by the newspaper to track West's online activities.
West, who has not been charged with any crime, acknowledged making mistakes in his personal life but asked voters to give him a second chance. He has said he plans to sue the newspaper.
Spokesman-Review Editor Steven Smith said the public's decision was "the result of the mayor completely misreading the sentiment of this community."
"My guess is they wanted him out five or six months ago, but I don't think he ever got it," Smith said.
City Council President Dennis Hession will become interim mayor until the council appoints someone to finish the two years remaining on West's term.
© 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy.
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