Snaza, Rob: Alleged Violations of RCW 42.17A.320 for failure to include party affiliation on political advertising (EY22, Jan23)

Case

#119960

Respondent

Rob Snaza

Complainant

Kyle Wheeler

Description

On December 30, 2022, the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) staff received a complaint alleging that Rob Snaza, an incumbent Lewis County Sheriff running for re-election to the same office in the 2022 election year, may have violated RCW 42.17A.320 by failing to disclose or include party preference/affiliation on political advertisement.

Staff review found that if a candidate has expressed a party affiliation or independent/no party preference designation on the declaration of candidacy, that designation should be depicted on all political advertisement presented to the public. In Mr. Snaza’s case, since his campaign expressed a party preference/affiliation on the declaration of candidacy filed on May 16, 2022, he was required to include “Republican” or “R” on all his campaign advertisements. Staff issued a formal written warning to Mr. Snaza for violating the statutory requirements in RCW 42.17A.320. In the Warning letter, Mr. Snaza was informed the Commission will consider the formal written warning issued by staff in deciding on further Commission action if there are future violations of PDC laws and rules.

Disposition

Case Closed with Written Warning

Date Opened

January 09, 2023

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.320