Republican candidates slammed for fundraiser attendance

In the week since Skagit Valley Herald reporter Brandon Stone broke the story of “Republican fundraiser draws 400” to its annual Lincoln/Reagan Day Gala, held at an airplane hangar Aug. 29, numerous letters in the Herald have criticized participating elected officials. County Commissioner Ron Wesen and state LD 39 Rep. Carolyn Eslick (R-Sultan) and the appointed LD 10 state Sen. Ron Muzzall attended.

County commissioner candidate Peter Browning and LD 10 state Rep. candidate Bill Bruch, chair of the Skagit County Republican Party were also taken to task in the over 14 letters published through Sunday.

Wesen chairs the County Board of Health and for 18 years Browning was the County’s director of public health.

The fundraiser violates County public health guidelines of no gatherings of more than five people, put in place last spring to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

County Health Officer Dr. Howard Leibrand told Stone that 400 people together is not safe. “In a group of that size, the chance that someone is infected is pretty close to 100%,” he said.

In the Sep. 9 article Leibrand said “this kind of gathering is disrespectful to those who have had to adapt to life under COVID-19 and have lost loved ones or their livelihoods as a result.” Stone quotes him as saying “Everyone else has adapted. You don’t get a bye because this is political.”

The commissioners, as the County Board of Health administers the County’s Public Health Department and relies on Leibrand for public health recommendations. Leibrand works for the Department.