Bad Republican and Bad Reporting.

State House Republican Floor Leader Doug Ericksen is being challenged for his 42nd Legislative District seat by Democrat Jasper MacSlarrow.

At last nite's Bill Mize political Forum, Rep. Ericksen (R-Ferndale) misrepresented his vote on biofuels.

Democrat Jasper MacSlarrow said that his opponent had not supported bio energy legislation.

During the question time, a guy got up and asked Ericksen how he'd voted. Ericksen said he'd supported the bill.

Later, when Jasper MacSlarrow had time to make final comments, he pointed out that bill votes are now available on-line at the State Legislature website. They had checked Ericksen's vote (during the few minutes after Doug's comment), and in fact he had voted "no" on the bio fuels bill. It was clear to all in the audience that Doug had misrepresented his vote.

However; in today's Bellingham Herald's four whole sentences worth of coverage, there's no mention of it.:

State Rep. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, stressed the importance of supporting Whatcom County rural lands and the farming on them.

"If we lose that (farmland), we lose our heart and soul," Ericksen said. "We lose our guiding compass on issues such as family, faith and freedom."

Ericksen's opponent, Democrat Jasper MacSlarrow, said the county could only address its growth concerns through "moderation." MacSlarrow also sought to attach himself to the work of U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Lake Stevens, who he served as a local aide until June.

I can't figure it out: is it piss-poor reporting or is it just that Ericksen has misrepresented himself so often that it's not news anymore.