JW Foster: Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.235, .240 & .320 for failure to timely disclose expenditures on reports and failing to include sponsor identification for political advertising (EY25 JUL25)

Case

#176159

Respondent

JW Foster

Complainant

Conner Edwards

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) completed its review of a complaint filed with the PDC. 

Applicable Laws and Rules

  • RCW 42.17A.235 describes the required filing deadlines for disclosure of campaign finance activities including monetary contributions.
  • RCW 42.17A.240 requires committees file accurate campaign finance reports with the Public Disclosure Commission.
  • RCW 42.17A.320 requires that all political advertising supporting or opposing a candidate or ballot proposition includes the sponsor's name and address.  

​Background and Findings

  • John W. Foster (JW Foster) is a 2025 candidate for City of Yelm Mayor
  • Foster registered with the PDC as a candidate on March 25, 2025 and filed a Financial Affairs Disclosure on April 16, 2025. The report was filed eight days late. 
  • Foster failed to include required expenditure detail on Campaign Summary Receipts and Expenditures (C-4) reports filed to date. 
  • Foster added complete sponsor identification to the website once notified by PDC staff. 
  • PDC staff is reminding you about the importance of full and complete sponsor identification and required expenditure detail. 
  • You are expected to comply with PDC statutes and rules in the future. Failure to do so could lead to additional PDC enforcement action. 

Summary and Resolution

Having reviewed the complaint and the supporting evidence, PDC staff has determined JW Foster appears to have 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. The executive director must report at each regular Commission meeting all complaints dismissed.

Disposition

Case Closed with Reminder

Date Opened

July 23, 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

Documents

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