Alex Ramel: Alleged violations of Chapter RCW 42.17A.560 for accepting contributions during Legislative Session Freeze (EY25 APR25)

Case

#170711

Respondent

Rep Alex Ramel

Complainant

Kenton Gartrell

Description

The complaint alleged a violation of RCW 42.17A.560 for accepting contributions during the legislative session freeze between December 14, 2024, and April 27, 2025.

Applicable Laws and Rules

 RCW 42.17A.560 states, (1) During the period beginning on the thirtieth day before the date a regular legislative session convenes and continuing through the date of final adjournment, and during the period beginning on the date a special legislative session convenes and continuing through the date that session adjourns, no state official or a person employed by or acting on behalf of a state official or state legislator may solicit or accept contributions to a public office fund, to a candidate or authorized committee, or to retire a campaign debt. Contributions received through the mail after the thirtieth day before a regular legislative session may be accepted if the contribution is postmarked prior to the thirtieth day before the session.  (2) This section does not apply to activities authorized in RCW 43.07.370.

Background and Findings

•  Alex Ramel currently serves as a member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 40th legislative district, serving San Juan, Whatcom, and Skagit Counties.  The People for Alex Ramel (the Committee) filed Candidate Registrations (C-1) with the PDC on February 8, 2023, for the 2024 election, and January 13, 2025, for the 2026 election. 
• Representative Ramel participated in a Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) event by the Whatcom County Democrats on October 19, 2024, at the Hotel Leo.  According to the Committee Treasurer, Jason Bennett, “The GOTV event was billed and paid by the Ramel campaign by mistake as it should have been paid in full by the Whatcom County Democrats since it was a GOTV event.  We requested a reimbursement from them in early October [2024] and did not receive that reimbursement until February 2025.” The GOTV event was not a fundraiser for candidates.
• The Committee reported a $2028.70 expenditure to the Hotel Leo, where the GOTV event was held, on Receipts & Expenditure Summary (C-4) report 110257306, for the period September 1 to October 14, 2024,   When the Committee received the $2028.70 reimbursement, on February 9, 2025, from the Whatcom County Democrats, it was reported on the Cash Receipts, Monetary Contributions (C-3) report 110272788. As is allowed, and because the funds were not a contribution, the funds were reported to the PDC as a Miscellaneous Receipt. These funds may be received and deposited during the legislative session freeze period. 
• The Respondent does not have previous similar warnings or violations of PDC requirements.

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

Disposition

Case Closed with No Evidence of Violations

Date Opened

April 18, 2025

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.560

Documents

• 170711 Alex Ramel Complaint.pdf
• 170784 Alex Ramel Response.pdf
• 170711 Alex Ramel Dismissal Letter.pdf