James Pitzer: Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.235., 240 and .320 for failure to timely & accurately report contributions & expenditures for EY 2021 & 2025, and for failure to provide complete sponsor ID on candidate website (EY21 & 25 JUL25)

Case

#175428

Respondent

James Pitzer

Complainant

Conner Edwards

Description

Allegation: Violations of RCW 42.17A.235., 240 and .320 for failure to timely & accurately report contributions & expenditures for EY 2021 & 2025, and for failure to provide complete sponsor ID on candidate website
The PDC dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).
However, staff reminded James Pitzer about the importance of following the reporting requirements for the reporting option selected and including sponsor identification on his campaign website.
The complaint alleged the following:
- That the C-4 Report covering the period May 15 to May 31, 2025, due June 10, 2025, was filed 26 days late on July 6, 2025. Report No. 110 296 131. (RCW 42.17A.240)
- That for the two deposits reported on the C-4 report, no C-3 reports were filed.
- That the campaign's website does not contain the required sponsor identification (RCW 42.17A.320)
Applicable Laws and Rules
RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 - A committee that selects the Full Reporting option on their C-1pc report is required to report contributions and expenditures to the PDC on C-3 reports and C-4 reports pursuant to RCW 42.17A.235 & RCW 42.17A.240. The due dates for these reports are based upon the election cycle, the committee’s election participation, and their financial activity.
RCW 42.17A.320 requires sponsor identification to be included on political advertising. The sponsor identification is required to include the words "Paid for by" or "Sponsored by," followed by the name and mailing address of the sponsor. There are also size and visual contrast requirements. These include that the sponsor identification must be the larger of ten-point type or type that is at least ten percent of the largest size type used in an advertisement directed at more than one voter, such as a yard sign, not be subject to the half-tone or screening process and be set apart from any other printed matter.
Background and Findings
·       James Pitzer was a first-time candidate when he ran for Pullman City Council in 2025. Pitzer did not advance to the General Election.
·       Pitzer initially filed Candidate Registrations on May 5 and July 15, 2025, selecting the Mini Reporting Option. Pitzer stayed within the limits of the Mini Reporting Option.
·       Although not required to file C-3 and C-4 reports of contributions and expenditures, Pitzer filed a C-4 report covering the period May 15 to May 31, 2025 on July 6, 2025, which was 26 days after the due date for a C-4 with a report end date of May 31. The report included $700 in contributions and $654.14 in expenditures.
·       Even though C-3 reports are not required for candidates under the Mini Reporting Option, Pitzer filed C-3 reports on July 15, reporting a $200 contribution from the candidate, two contributions totaling $500, and two $500 contributions. Pitzer filed two additional C-4 reports on July 15, covering the periods June 1 to July 14, 2025 and July 15 to July 28, 2025.
·       Pitzer states he understood the limits of the Mini Reporting Option but did not understand that he was not required to file C-3 and C-4 reports.
·       Pitzer stated that, moving forward, he will continue to maintain accurate financial records and will update his campaign website to reflect the required sponsor identification.
·       Pitzer added sponsor identification to his website after being made aware of the requirement.
PDC staff determined that in this instance, filing C-3 and C-4 reports late when they were not required to be filed and failing to include sponsor identification on his campaign website did not amount to a finding of a violation warranting further investigation.

Disposition

Case Closed with Reminder

Date Opened

July 10, 2025

Areas of Law*

RCW 29B.25.090/42.17A.235, RCW 29B.25.100/42.17A.240, RCW 29B.30.050/42.17A.320

*On January 1, 2026, RCW 42.17A was recodified to RCW 29B