Sims yanks disputed Twitter posting

King County Executive Ron Sims pulled a Twitter "tweet" from his Web site Monday after state Public Disclosure Commission staff said it improperly supported a candidate in today's election of a county elections director.

A PDC compliance officer contacted Sims' office after the agency received a complaint about the posting on the executive's county Web site, which linked to a Seattle Post-Intelligencer editorial, headlined, "King County election: Deadline day."

The P-I editorial, which stressed the importance of the election and today's deadline for returning ballots, called Elections Director Sherril Huff — who was appointed to her job by Sims — "the clear choice in the nonpartisan race."

"We don't think that it's an appropriate link because it's supporting a candidate," said PDC spokeswoman Lori Anderson.

Former state Rep. Toby Nixon complained Monday about the link, which was posted Sunday night.

Sims' office pulled the tweet after being informed of the complaint Monday. Sims spokeswoman Carolyn Duncan said it was "a very innocent post" intended to alert readers to the election deadline.

"There wasn't any intent to endorse any candidate," she said.

Keith Ervin: 206-464-2105 or kervin@seattletimes.com