WENATCHEE — The trial in the governor's election lawsuit is scheduled to begin May 23 and last two weeks.

Chelan County Superior Court Judge John Bridges set the date today, denying a request by the state Democratic Party to wait six months before starting the trial.

"I am attempting to be as sensitive as I can to everyone's desires as to when we have this trial," Bridges said during a hearing. "But there comes a point when the court has to say, 'This is when it's going to be,' and I think the point is today."

Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi has sued to overturn the November election, saying illegal votes and numerous errors by election workers resulted in an illegitimate victory for Democrat Christine Gregoire. Rossi won two statewide counts after the Nov. 2 general election, but following a hand recount Gregoire was declared the winner by a margin of 129.