VIA MESSENGER

Hon. Benjamin F. Wilson
Chairman
District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics
441 Fourth Street, N.W.
Room 250-North
Washington, D.C. 20001

RE: DC Presidential Primary

Dear Chairman Wilson:

I am writing to you to inform the DC Board of Elections and Ethics in writing of my decision to opt out of the DC presidential primary and withdraw my name from the DC presidential primary ballot, in conformance with the recently enacted Presidential Primary Petition and Filing Waiver Emergency Act of 2003.

I am following the rules of the Democratic National Committee, which provide that no presidential primary, other than that of New Hampshire, may be held prior to the first Tuesday in February (Rule 10A), and that "presidential candidates should take all steps possible not to participate" in non-binding presidential preference events (Rule 12H).  I am following these Democratic Party rules across the board and will not participate in any presidential primary prior to the first Tuesday in February other than New Hampshire, or in any non-binding presidential primary or straw poll at any time.

I will compete as strong as I can for the support of DC Democrats in the DC Democratic presidential caucuses on February 14, 2003 in accordance with the DC delegate selection plan, and will work side by side with DC citizens and elected officials, after I am elected to the White House, to make statehood for the District of Columbia not just a goal, but a reality.
 

Sincerely,

Dick Gephardt