2 WA Representatives Sign Brief To Overturn Presidential Election

OLYMPIA, WA — The latest battle over the results of the 2020 Presidential Election may be centered around Texas, but it has ties all over the country, including in Washington.

Earlier this week, the state of Texas filed a lawsuit asking the U.S. Supreme Court to invalidate President-elect Joe Biden's victory over Donald Trump. Though analysts predict the move will fail, the Associated Press describes the suit as a "conservative litmus test" with supporters signaling devotion to Trump, even as he is on his way out the door.

And many have risen to show their loyalty. 106 Republican members of Congress have signed a brief supporting the lawsuit. Among those, two are from Washington: Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who represents Washington's 5th district, and Dan Newhouse, who represents the 4th. Notably Jaime Herrera Beutler, Washington's third and final conservative congress member, did not sign the brief.

Ultimately, Trump's lawsuit ended in failure: Friday afternoon the Supreme Court rejected the suit, in what CNN called "the strongest indication yet that Trump has no chance of overturning election results."

It may have amounted to nothing, but the fact that the suit was filed at all has some critics crying foul, with many calling the move a blatant attempt to steal the votes of millions of Americans. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee weighed in over Twitter Friday, singling out Newhouse and McMorris Rodgers for their part in the lawsuit:

"It is shameful that two of Washington’s leaders are backing this anti-democratic charade," Inslee said. "Attempting to overturn a free and fair election is absolutely indefensible. They know that. And Washingtonians deserve better."

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson has also weighed in, similarly criticizing the suit as futile and an attempt to steal the election.

Both of Washington's signees have issued statements justifying their support for the lawsuit. Newhouse released his over Twitter, it reads in part:

"Joining this amicus brief is not about trying to overturn the results of an election, but is simply about ensuring the American people have faith in our elections and our Constitution."

A statement from McMorris, obtained by KHQ, argues that the suit is necessary to defend free and fair elections:

"This amicus brief specifically focuses on Constitutional requirements for elections and the legal requirement that changes to election processes be approved by state legislatures, as well as the state laws which require election officials to check signatures on mail-in ballots. These are Constitutional principles of free and fair elections, and if they have been violated, the American people have a right to know."