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#175878
JoAnn Tolentino
Michael Loughry
The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) completed its review of a complaint filed with the PDC.
Applicable Laws and Rules
Per RCW 42.17A.320, all written political advertising, whether relating to candidates or ballot propositions, shall include the sponsor's name and address. The use of an assumed name for the sponsor of electioneering communications, independent expenditures, or political advertising shall be unlawful. For partisan office, if a candidate has expressed a party or independent preference on the declaration of candidacy, that party or independent designation shall be clearly identified in electioneering communications, independent expenditures, or political advertising.
RCW 42.17A.320 and WAC390-18-010, 020, 030, and 040 further outline requirements for sponsor identification on political advertising.
Background and Findings
• The Respondent is a first time candidate running for a School Director position on the Northshore Sd 417 in the 2025 election.
• On July 12, 2025, the PDC received a complaint that the Respondent's campaign yard signs did not include complete sponsor identification. PDC staff notified the Respondent of the complaint and they took prompt action to address the issue. They have indicated that they have collected the yard signs and remedied the sponsor ID issue.
• The Respondent does not have prior Warnings or Violations from the PDC
Summary and Resolution
Having reviewed the complaint and the supporting evidence, PDC staff has determined that the Respondent has violated RCW 42.17A. After consideration of all the circumstances, further proceedings would not serve the purposes of the Fair Campaign Practices Act. Under WAC 390-37-070, the executive director, at any time prior to consideration by the Commission, may dismiss a complaint which on its face, or as shown by investigation, provides reason to believe that a violation has occurred, but also shows that the respondent is in substantial compliance with the relevant statutes or rules, or shows that formal enforcement action is not warranted.
Based on this, the PDC has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1) and WAC 390-37-060(1)(d). PDC staff reminded the Respondent about the importance of providing complete sponsor identification on political advertising. They are expected to comply with PDC statutes and rules in the future.
Case Closed with Reminder
July 17, 2025
RCW 42.17A.320
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