Hinman, Joshua: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.320 for failure to include complete sponsor ID & party preference on campaign advertising (NOV'22 EY'22)

Case

#114045

Respondent

Joshua Hinman

Complainant

Rob Sowell

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed on November 6, 2022. The complaint alleged that Joshua Hinman, a 2022 candidate for Kitsap County Commissioner, may have violated RCW 42.17A.320 for failure to include complete sponsor identification and party preference on political advertisement.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements; the response provided by the Respondent; the applicable PDC reports filed by the Respondent; and other relevant information, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations.

It appears that the omission of party preference on political advertisement for the 2022 Hinman Campaign was due to the limited experience of the Respondent and his campaign volunteers and that the majority of the campaign materials did include the required party preference. Staff found no evidence that Mr. Hinman purposely omitted his party preference in an effort to conceal it from the public.

Based on our findings staff has determined that, in this instance, failure to include party preference on written political advertisement does not amount to a finding of a violation that warrants further investigation.

Pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(d), however, Joshua Hinman will receive a formal written warning concerning failure to include his party preference on political advertisement. The formal written warning will include staff’s expectation that Mr. Hinman will review all future political advertisement to ensure that it includes the required party preference prior to being made available to the general public. The Commission will consider the formal written warning in deciding on further Commission action if there are future violations of PDC laws or rules.

Based on this information, the PDC finds that no further action is warranted and has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).

Disposition

Case Closed with Written Warning

Date Opened

November 09, 2022

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.320

Documents

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