The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission has released the recall Councilmember Kshama Sawant political action committee “A Better Seattle” from its campaign contribution limits.
New PAC forms amid bid to recall Kshama Sawant, petitions for release from spending limits
On the eve of the Thanksgiving holiday, attorneys representing both the recall effort and the Kshama Solidarity campaign debated the action, with Judge William Downing ultimately ruling that the now unlimited campaign contributions afforded the recall effort are within the confines of the law: A Better Seattle does not pose a corruption risk as it does not sponsor a candidate for Sawant’s District 3 seat were she to be recalled.
The anti-Sawant campaign is among two recall efforts, the other being Recall Sawant. The two campaigns have raised $825,375 between them. Kshama Solidarity Campaign has raised $844,362.
A Better Seattle registered Oct. 27. The PAC began with $1,000 pledges from PINE Street Group’s Matt Griffin, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, as well as Washington Multi-Family Housing Association.
The appearance of a second recall PAC effectively allowed for interested donors to contribute $2,000, for the contribution maximum was a previously enforced $1,000. A Better Seattle was released from that maximum as of Nov. 24.
An attorney representing Kshama Solidarity argued that the suspension of the contribution limit would be irregular considering ballots are already in the mail, with the election only weeks away.
“Federal courts have said time and again that changing the rules of an election late in the day close to an election is a no