Commission Candidate Hucthings poster about his donors,
yet campaign contributor also funded decried robocalls.
Photo credit: Vote Hutch

* County Commission Candidate Hutchings decries Robocalls against Cooper.
* Was unaware of calls, says of them: ‘cheap tactics and slimy activism.’
* Large donor to Hutchings campaign also funded robocalls.
* Robocalls also directed at JZ Knight’s donations to Dem candidates.
* Thurston Democrats turn to Police, Attorney General, FCC for use of their number.
* Federal election laws may have been violated.
* This Blog calls on Hutchings to return donor’s funds, distance himself further from this.
* WAC 480-120-253 on robocalls: Automatic dialing-announcing device (ADAD)


– District 1 County Commission Candidate Hutchings Decries Robocalls in The Olympian
“A robocall that went out to many South Sound residents Friday [Oct. 22] that said “Why does Democrat commissioner candidate Jim Cooper treat women like Donald Trump does?” was not paid for by his opponent John Hutchings.

Tenino’s former police chief, who is running as an independent, said he didn’t know about the message before it went out, and he fears it will cost him potential supporters. He called the message ‘cheap tactics and slimy activism.’

The message states that it was paid for by Friends of Jimmy and We Want to Be Friends of Jimmy Too [Gene and Janet Weaver are donors]. Both political committees are led by property rights activist Glen Morgan of Rochester, a frequent critic of the Board of County Commissioners,” quoting Lisa Pemberton, The Olympian.
Read more


– From the Thurston County Democrats
“About 60 women gathered at the Olympia water-front Saturday afternoon [October 22] to show their support for Jim Cooper, candidate for Thurston County Commissioner. Jim was the subject of a hateful “robo” call that alleged he ill-treats women.”

“Besides violating a number of Public Disclosure Commission rules, the call was set up to appear to come from the Thurston County Democrats’ phone number,” said Katie Nelson, chairwoman of the Thurston County Democrats, in the Thurston Democrats Weekly Newsletter.


– A Hutchings Campaign large donor is Gene Weaver, contributor to the robocalls fund
The WA Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) reports Gene Weaver of Rochester, WA. (Self-Employed Real Estate Mgr.) donated $1,000 to the Hutchings Campaign on September 19, 2016, the maximum allowed.
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Gene Weaver donated to the “We Want to be Friends of Jimmy Too” Robocalls.


– Robocalls also received about JZ Knight’s donations to Democratic candidates
A simple internet look-up showed the original phone number for this robocall was Jim Cooper’s 2013 Campaign for Olympia City Council phone number.
Read more


– Editor’s note:
If District 1 County Commission Candidate Hutchings is serious about what he calls these ‘cheap tactics and slimy activism,’ then he needs to immediately return Gene Weaver’s campaign contributions and further distance himself publicly from this kind of behavior.

While I stand-up for the constituents that have had their donations and support disenfranchised in the democratic process, Thurston Democrats Chair Katie Nelson is turning to the police, the Attorney General’s office, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), indicating the unauthorized use of their phone number may violate federal rules. I can not support the acceptance/retention of funds from folks that may be involved in a federal investigation.

With the involvement of the police, the Attorney General’s office, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Hutchings MUST return Weaver’s donations, at the very least until an investigation has concluded.

Conservatives who disparaged JZ Knight’s donations in 2008 demanding Democrats return her campaign monies, can’t have it both ways. “You reap what you sow.”


– UPDATE: October 30, 2016
“County commission campaigns turn ugly with PAC-funded robocalls and mailers”
By Lisa Pemberton, The Olympian.
Read more