Tater, Jeannine: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.335 for sponsoring political advertising that falsely claims the 42nd Leg. Dist. Democrats endorses six candidates. (EY '20; Aug '20)

Case

#74623

Respondent

Jeannine Tater

Complainant

James Russell Douglass

Description

A complaint was filed against Jeannine Tater, a Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) for the 42nd Legislative District Democrats (Committee), alleging violations of RCW 42.17A when Ms. Tater reproduced a slate card political advertisement originally produced by the Committee endorsing candidates for the 2020 primary election, that included additional candidate endorsements that had not been approved by the Committee.

Staff's review found that Ms. Tater reproduced the Committees original slate card adding candidate endorsements that were not included in the original flyer, and she included her name as an endorser of the candidates listed as well as the sponsor of the advertisement at the bottom of the flyer.  The added information stated: “Endorsement by 42nd LD Democrats &/or Your PCO Jeannine Tater”  and “Printing and Distribution Paid By Jeannine Tater, Precinct Committee Officer #210.”

Ms. Tater stated “There was never any malice on my part. I only wanted to provide my constituents in the 42nd LD Precinct 201 a complete slate of Democratic candidates.  She stated that she spent several hours revising her flyer which needed to be re-designed after conversations she had with other party members. The revised flyer included the Committee’s logo, and two columns that stated “Official 42nd LD Endorsements” and “PCO Tater Recommends” followed by the lists of candidates endorsed by the Committee and Ms. Tater.  The flyer included the sponsor identification listed above and added the following clarifying statement “Endorsements and Recommendations Included in Precinct 201 ballot order. When candidates are dual endorsed, or no endorsement on race, PCO #201 Jeannine Tater from LD#42 PCO Tater selected the best electable Democratic Party candidate without 42nd LD Endorsement. The 42nd LD Never Endorses PCO Candidates. Voters make that determination!”

The PDC dismissed the complaint in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).

Disposition

Case Closed with No Evidence of Violations

Date Opened

August 06, 2020

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.335

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