Campaign Cash Limits Paused Over Legal Doubts

The Public Disclosure Commission voted to suspend enforcement of limits on how much candidates can spend of their own money and on how much political committees can accept. The commission fears the statute could be invalidated by a court.

The law caps candidate self‑spending at $75,000 for legislative and statewide races and at $7,500 for local races and committees during a brief period before the primary and general election. Individual contributions to candidates remain limited, and any donation of $1,500 or more must be reported within two days.

Former commissioner Dave Ammons called the decision perplexing and warned that large late‑stage infusions can influence outcomes that are not known until after the election. A business‑backed group, Washington Needs to Compete, moved $100,000 to another PAC that supports and opposes legislative candidates. Republican consultant Chad Minnick thinks the timing reduces the immediate impact, but says future campaigns will adjust their plans. Democratic consultant Dean Nielsen agrees, noting that most campaigns already followed the 21‑day rule.

The commission aimed to treat all campaigns fairly by applying the suspension uniformly. The move followed a complaint about a judicial candidate filed by a consulting firm with ties to Governor Bob Ferguson. Observers expect the decision to shape how money is raised and spent in upcoming elections.