Wiklem, Brian: Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.205, .235, .240 & .700 for failure to file candidate registration & personal financial affairs statement within two weeks of candidacy & report contributions & expenditures. (EY '21; Aug '21)

Case

#98034

Respondent

Brian Wiklem

Complainant

John Svilarich

Description

A complaint was filed against Brian Wiklem, a 2021 write-in candidate for the office of Mayor of Camas,  alleging he may have violated: (1) RCW 42.17A.205 by failing to timely file a candidate registration; and (2) RCW 42.17A.700 for failing to file a Personal Financial Affairs Statement (F-1 report), both due within two weeks of announcing his write-in candidacy or making an expenditure in support of his candidacy. 

On September 3, 2021, Brian Wiklem filed a candidate registration declaring his candidacy as a write-in candidate for Mayor of Camas in the 2021 election, selecting the Mini Reporting option, and listing himself as Treasurer.  Mr. Wiklem was a first-time candidate for public office in 2021.

Mr. Wiklem stated the Campaign website was not launched in July as alleged in the complaint, but instead he merely registered the domain name in July of 2021.  He stated the website did not go public or live until later in August. 

On September 14, 2021, Mr. Wiklem stated that he was “no longer running as a write in candidate.  My website (fixcamas.com) has removed all traces of myself as a write-in candidate (and has transitioned into a blog) and I've also begun removing signs.” 

Mr. Wiklem stated that his Campaign expenditures for his brief write-in candidacy totaled $344.12, and those Campaign activities included: (1) website registration for fixcamas.com (Godaddy, $53.95); (2) Printed signs for fixcamas.com (Gotprint, $237.42); and (3) website construction (Fiverr, $52.75).   He stated he used personal funds to pay for all his Campaign expenditures, he did not solicit or receive any contributions, and that the Fixcamas.com is still up and running.  He removed all information related to his write-in candidacy from the website in early September, and stated his Campaign website was “only live for 4 weeks from early August to early September.” 

Mr. Wiklem discontinued his campaign prior to filing an F-1 report.   Staff reviewed the November 2, 2021, general election results posted by Clark County Elections and found Steve Hogan received 3,644 votes, Jennifer Senescu received 2,690 votes, and there were 19 write-in votes cast for Mayor for the City of Camas as of November 8, 2021. 

Based on these findings, staff has determined in this instance that Mr. Wiklem was a first-time candidate for public office who conducted a short-term write-in candidacy for Mayor of Camas between the August 3, 2021, primary election, and the November 2, 2021, general election.  PDC staff does not believe these facts amount to a material violation warranting further investigation or any enforcement action.   PDC staff will be sending Brian Wiklem a letter reminding him about the importance of timely filing a candidate registration and a Personal Financial Affairs Statement (F-1 report) within two weeks of declaring his candidacy in the future, even for a write-in candidacy.  

Based on this information, the PDC dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).   
 

Disposition

Case Closed with Reminder

Date Opened

September 03, 2021

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.205, RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240, RCW 42.17A.700

Documents

• Email responses from Brian Wiklem (PDC Case 98034).pdf
• Wiklem, Brian Complaint Return Letter with Reminder Ltr (PDC Case 97875).pdf
• 98034 Wiklem Brian Complaint.pdf