Brandi Kruse, Let's Go Washington Cleared in Campaign Finance Complaint

Washington's Public Disclosure Commission has dismissed a campaign finance complaint involving podcaster Brandi Kruse and Let's Go Washington after investigators found no evidence that Let's Go Washington purchased Kruse's services in support of its ballot initiatives. The complaint was filed by Sammamish City Councilmember Pam Stuart on behalf of Washingtonians for Ethical Government and alleged that Let's Go Washington failed to report political advertising and in-kind contributions connected to Kruse and her Undivided podcast. Washingtonians for Ethical Government alleged there were at least 159 instances of political advertising supporting Let's Go Washington initiatives and estimated the value of the alleged advertising at between approximately $345,000 and $1.25 million. Those dollar amounts were allegations made in the complaint, not findings by the Washington Public Disclosure Commission. After investigating, PDC staff said they found no evidence that Let's Go Washington purchased Brandi Kruse's services in support of its initiatives. Investigators also said they were unable to establish that Kruse's promotion of Let's Go Washington initiatives or her participation in the organization's events constituted in-kind campaign contributions. The PDC nevertheless reminded Let's Go Washington that professional services provided to benefit the organization must be properly reported when they qualify as expenditures or in-kind contributions. Brandi Kruse is now responding to the PDC decision and argues that the complaint was politically motivated and designed to generate negative headlines ahead of Washington's November election. Let's Go Washington has also criticized the complaint and raised First Amendment concerns. Those claims about the motivation behind the complaint are the positions of Kruse and Let's Go Washington. The PDC's decision addressed the campaign-finance allegations and did not determine the complainant's political motivation. The controversy comes as Let's Go Washington backs ballot initiatives heading toward Washington's November 3 election. Washington in Focus breaks down the original campaign finance allegations, the PDC investigation, the final findings involving Brandi Kruse and Let's Go Washington, and the political fight following the dismissal. Follow The Center Square for continuing coverage of Washington elections, ballot initiatives, campaign finance, the Washington Public Disclosure Commission, government accountability and Washington state politics. Want the next important update by text? Get the Washington state government and policy developments worth your attention sent straight to your phone. Text TCSWA to 206-944-3016 or sign up here: https://joinsubtext.com/c/thecentersquarewa Msg & data rates may apply. #BrandiKruse #LetsGoWashington #WashingtonPDC #WashingtonElection #CampaignFinance #WashingtonState #BallotInitiatives #FreeSpeech #WashingtonPolitics #WashingtonNews #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus