Will this kill Kirby Wilbur's GOP Chair shot?

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I believe that new blood is needed at all levels of the GOP; national, state and local.

Earlier, I had mentioned that Kirby Wilbur had announced. He ran Americans for Prosperity Washington, the group that launched Pro-Ridgefield Barbie commercials about 60 seconds after the primary count was released.

That ad, a rather obvious effort at coordinating an independent expenditure, (given that everyone in the ad was mysteriously and surely only coincidentally showing pro-Barbie supporters) is also under investigation for obvious reasons.

The problem for Wilbur seems to be this: his group failed to comply with campaign laws of this state. That was either a deliberate move, or it was based on an issue of competence. Either way, it serves to cast doubt on Wilbur's suitability for party chair.

Would he be preferable to Esser?

Is there any other option?

Please?

Violation? Conservative group files with state 8 days after election

By CHRIS GRYGIEL
SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF

A conservative political group accused of illegally targeting legislators with campaign mailers filed formal registration forms on Nov. 10 - eight days after the election and
the same day Democrats filed a complaint against Americans for Prosperity Washington with the state elections watchdog.

According to state law, political committees must file with the Public Disclosure Commission within two weeks of organizing, or of receiving or spending money. Americans for Prosperity Washington announced its creation on March 5. AFPWA is the state arm of a national political group that supports conservative candidates.

But in its filing with the PDC, Americans for Prosperity Washington registered as a grass roots lobbying organization, not a political action committee. The group listed $30,815 in expenses in a two-page report. It said it spent $2,615, apparently on newspaper and magazine advertisements and $27,876.50 on printing and mailing. It details $32,250 in contributions from 10 individuals in the greater Seattle area, who gave between $250 and $10,000. The report does not detail how the money was spent or when contributions were received.

The group is the subject of a PDC complaint which alleges it "violated campaign finance law in hiding from public scrutiny its financial contributions, expenditures, communications and even its existence from the public eye." AFPWA sent out mailers targeting Democratic candidates like state Sens. Eric Oemig in King County 45th legislative district and Randy Gordon in the 41st. Oemig lost to Republican Andy Hill; Gordon will likely lose a close race to Republican Steve Litzow.

The local arm of Americans for Prosperity lists a P.O. box in Duvall as its headquarters. Registration papers with the state say Kirby Wilbur, a former conservative talk radio host who is now running to be chairman of the state Republican Party, is the group's state director. Seattlepi.com left a message for Wilbur Wednesday afternoon.

AFPWA filed as a grass roots lobbying organization with the state of Washington. The form filled out is known as an "L6," and regulators say it must be given to state authorities within 30 days of becoming a "sponsor of a grass roots lobbying campaign. Thereafter, sponsors file monthly reports on the 10th of the month covering the preceding calendar month."

The national arm of Americans for Prosperity spent more than $1.3 million this last election cycle, according to OpenSecrets.org.

Open government advocates complained that many independent political groups didn't disclose the source of funding. A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling allows campaign donors to remain secret under certain conditions in federal elections. Washington state law requires disclosure of campaign contributions.

Lori Anderson of the state PDC said the investigation into AFPWA began in October. She said it's unclear when the probe would be complete.

Chris Grygiel can be reached at 206-448-8363 or chrisgrygiel@seattlepi.com.

Follow Chris on Twitter at twitter.com/seattlepolitics.