Chambers, Kelly: Alleged Violation of RCW 42.17A.320 & WAC 390-18-010 for failure to disclose sponsor information on political advertising (EY20, July20)

Case

#74189

Respondent

Kelly Chambers

Complainant

Joseph Colombo

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed on July 20, 2020. The complaint alleged that Kelly Chambers, incumbent State Representative in Legislative District 25, Position 1 and candidate for re-election in the 2020 general election, may have violated RCW 42.17A.320 and WAC 390-18-010 for failure to disclose sponsor identification on written political advertisement.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements; and the response provided by campaign consultant Alex Hays of AB Hays, LLC, on behalf of Rep. Chambers (“the Respondent”), to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations.

Although Rep. Chambers is not a first-time candidate and her campaign consultant, AB Hays, LLC, has general knowledge of PDC laws and rules regarding written political advertisement and sponsor identification, it appears that the creation and mailing of this specific ad was mistakenly viewed by the campaign as something different than the more traditional type of mailers done in the past. Furthermore, the response to the complaint shows that the campaign is fully aware of the sponsor identification requirements as they used this knowledge in a subsequent mailing.

Based on our findings staff has determined that, in this instance, failure to include sponsor identification on one piece of political advertisement, does not amount to a finding of a violation that warrants further investigation.

PDC staff reminded Rep. Chambers about the importance of including the proper and full disclosure of the sponsor on all future written political advertisement in accordance with PDC statutes and rules.

Based on this information, the PDC finds that no further action is warranted and has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).

Disposition

Case Closed with Reminder

Date Opened

July 28, 2020

Areas of Law

WAC 390-18-010