OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Republican Party has been fined $5,000 for multiple violations related to campaign finance and political advertising.
According to a press release from the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission, the party made an illegal contribution to a political committee, accepted anonymous contributions exceeding legal limits, failed to include required sponsor identification in a campaign text message, and delayed reporting an expenditure until after the election.
The commission filed administrative charges against the party in October. Among the violations, the party sent a text message days before the 2023 election that lacked sponsor identification. The message urged recipients to “Reject Han Tran, anti-Semitic Northshore school board candidate who calls for Israel’s destruction and the elimination of Jews. Vote 11/7, protect kids.” Campaigns are required to include sponsor information in such communications.
Additionally, the party submitted an expenditure report related to that text message 87 days late, 80 days after the election.
The commission also found that the party had made a $100,000 expenditure to the Let’s Go Washington ballot measure committee for prohibited activities. Furthermore, the party failed to disclose the sources of monetary contributions during the 2024 election cycle, accepting $106,500 in anonymous contributions on Sept. 17. Campaigns are limited to accepting no more than $500 or 1% of total contributions from anonymous sources in a calendar year. The party amended its report shortly before the hearing to disclose the contributors.
The commission stated that the party has the right to request reconsideration of the order within 10 days or to appeal to Superior Court within 30 days.
The full order can be read here.
