The state Republican Party wrote a $15,000 check to the state Democratic Party last week for court costs associated with the governor's election lawsuit — a case that ended formally Friday when Judge John Bridges signed a final order.

Democrats had asked Bridges to approve almost $48,000 in court costs. Attorneys for the two sides negotiated the settlement, though, and a check was delivered Friday, said Democratic Party attorney Kevin Hamilton.

"It's a business decision," said state Republican Party Chairman Chris Vance. "If we had gone to court and fought over it, our lawyers said we might win or we might lose. Everybody who's ever been sued faces that question: Do you want to take the risk or settle?"

On Friday Bridges issued the final order, one sentence affirming his June 6 ruling that dismissed the Republican lawsuit which had asked that the November governor's election be overturned.

"As set forth in the Court's oral ruling of dismissal on June 6, 2005 ... this election contest petition is dismissed with prejudice and the certification of Christine Gregoire as the duly elected Governor of the State of Washington is hereby confirmed," said the judgment signed by Bridges, Hamilton and Republican Party attorney Rob Maguire.

Republicans have said they will not appeal the ruling.

"It's nice to have one final document because that is likely to be the last word on election contests and the standards for governing election contests for a long time," Hamilton said.

Republicans sued in January, claiming that errors and fraud robbed their candidate, Dino Rossi, of his rightful claim to the governor's office. Rossi won the initial count after the Nov. 2 election as well as a machine recount. But Gregoire won the third count, that one by hand, and was certified the winner.

Bridges' decision rejected all the Republican claims.

David Postman: 360-943-9882 or dpostman@seattletimes.com