Campaign complaints were filed this week with the state Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) against 47th District Legislative House Position No. 2 candidates Shukri Olow, D-Kent, and Chris Stearns, D-Auburn.
The two are on the Nov. 8 ballot and the winner will replace state Rep. Pat Sullivan, D-Covington, who decided not to run again after 18 years in Olympia.
Chris Harper, vice chair of the 33rd District Democrats, filed the complaint against Olow for a campaign mailer. He claims Olow violated of RCW 42.17A.335 for political advertising that makes a false claim stating or implying the support or endorsement of any person or organization.
“Shukri Olow blatantly lied about being endorsed by Planned Parenthood,” Harper said in an email to the Kent Reporter. “Candidates know exactly who has and hasn’t endorsed them, so this was no simple oversight.”
In the complaint, Harper wrote, “The public deserves to know who is and isn’t lying on their campaign mailers so they can make an accurate assessment of which candidate best represents their values.”
Courtney Normand, Washington state director of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, said in an email to the Kent Reporter that the group didn’t endorse Olow or Stearns.
“We were very impressed by both Dr. Shukri Olow and Chris Stearns,” Normand said. “Both candidates scored 100% on our endorsement questionnaire, and in interviews both candidates showed an in-depth understanding of Planned Parenthood’s key issues and expressed shared values.
“Since the candidates in this race were both strong contenders, we chose not to endorse one over the other. We believe that whoever wins the seat will be a strong advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights at the Legislature.”
Olow, as of Nov. 7, had not yet responded to a Kent Reporter email for comment.
Stearns complaint
Jacob Simpson filed a complaint against Stearns for violation of RCW 42.17A.335 for false claim of endorsement.
“Chris Stearns’ (candidate for 47th district representative) campaign literature falsely claims exclusive
endorsements from various groups,” according to the complaint. “Candidate Shukri Olow has also been endorsed by several of the listed organizations. Falsely stating sole endorsements gives voters incorrect information about the race.”
Stearns claimed to be the only candidate endorsed by local Democrats, unions, and Advocates for Safe, Green, and Affordable Communities, according to the complaint.
But Olow has endorsements from Washington State Labor Council, One America Votes, Washington Conservation Voters, Humane Voters of Washington and The Alliance for Gun Responsibility, according to the complaint.
“Therefore, the Chris Stearns campaign is using false political advertising to influence the outcome of the election,” according to the complaint.
Stearns, a member of the Auburn City Council, disagreed with allegations.
“I am the only candidate endorsed by the 47th District Democrats and King County Democrats which are highlighted as the sole endorsements on my mail piece,” Stearns said in a Nov. 4 email. “My opponent’s allegation comes after multiple complaints to the PDC against her campaign for listing endorsements on her own campaign materials that she does not have and misreporting campaign finances, including attributing contributions to individuals who have not contributed.”
PDC staff opened each complaint Nov. 4 for assessment of facts.
Previous Olow complaint
As reported Oct. 31 by the Kent Reporter, Olow also faces a false political advertising complaint with the state PDC after she reportedly claimed an endorsement she didn’t have in her 47th Legislative District House Position No. 2 race.
Republican Carmen Goers, who lost in the August primary to Olow and Stearns, filed the formal complaint after she was informed of a campaign flyer/mailer from Olow that listed an endorsement from Goers along with her photo. Goers said that is a false endorsement.
Olow told the Kent Reporter it was a misunderstanding and that she spoke to Goers and she was supportive of my candidacy. She said she instructed her campaign team to refrain from listing Goers’ endorsement on any materials.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with a responses from Chris Stearns.
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