The Moxie Media scandal was a 2010 political scandal in Washington state. In that year's state senate primary elections, small political consulting firm Moxie Media engaged in astroturfing that resulted in a surprise loss for incumbent Jean Berkey. In an out-of-court settlement, the state fined Moxie $290,000, but the scandal had no negative long-term consequences for them. Winner Nick Harper stated he knew nothing about the scheme and became state senator despite efforts to delay his swearing in. Though the state's Democratic Party recognized Harper's achievements, rumors of an extramarital affair dogged him, and he resigned in late 2013.

Background and overview

Washington's 38th legislative district primarily covers the Snohomish County city of Everett.

In 2010 the race for state senator from Washington's 38th legislative district was a three-way contest between two candidates from the Democratic party – Everett, Washington attorney Nick Harper and incumbent legislator Jean Berkey – and third-party challenger Rod Rieger, a relatively unknown contender who ran as a candidate from the non-existent "Conservative Party" (under Washington elections law, candidates can declare themselves a member of any party, whether it exists or not). Under Washington's nonpartisan blanket primary system, the two candidates with the highest number of total votes advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation. This created the possibility that the two Democrats, Harper and Berkey, would face each other in the general election, where many believed Berkey would likely win.

In the run-up to the primary election, a small political consulting firm, Moxie Media, covertly directed upwards of $300,000 in undeclared spending from Harper's supporters to a variety of shell PACs.[1] These committees, in turn, launched a series of direct mail attacks against Berkey, who had been known as a moderate Democrat likely to be supported by the district's conservative voters, purporting to be from a variety of groups with names like "Cut Taxes PAC" and "Conservative PAC." The mailings portrayed Berkey as a left-wing legislator and encouraged conservatives to vote for the third-party candidate, Rod Rieger.[2] The campaign helped propel Rieger to a surprising second-place finish in the primary election, eliminating Berkey and setting up a general election contest between Harper and Rieger. In the general election Harper handily crushed Rieger, who had only raised and spent $800 relative to Harper's $55,000 campaign war chest.[3]

Reaction and aftermath

Nick Harper denied knowledge of the scheme.

Following the election, Berkey asked the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission (PDC)[4] to nullify the election results, and Democratic Senator Jim Kastama introduced a measure to prevent Harper from being seated in the Senate.[5] Calling the scandal one of "the most reprehensible efforts in recent Washington state history to mislead voters," former Washington Supreme Court justice Phil Talmadge issued a public appeal to lieutenant governor Brad Owen to delay Harper's swearing-in until after a court ruling.[6] Despite the campaign to block his seating, Harper, who denied any knowledge of the scheme – was sworn into the Senate in January 2011.

Acting on a recommendation from the PDC, Attorney-General Rob McKenna sued Moxie Media. An out-of-court settlement saw the firm agreeing to pay the state $290,000 in penalties ($140,000 was suspended provided the company committed no more violations before 2015), representing one of the largest election-related fines in the state's history. Within a year, however, the firm was doubling its pre-scandal revenue. In 2012 it grossed $2 million, primarily from new business contracts with the Washington Democratic Party.[1]

In September 2013, the Washington state Democratic Party named Harper its "Male Elected Official of the Year." Two months later, however, Harper abruptly resigned, following rumors he had been involved in an extramarital affair with a lobbyist.[7] Harper said his resignation was motivated by a desire to spend more time with his family.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 Jim Brunner (4 December 2012). "Political consultant Moxie Media has huge year after huge fine". Seattle Times. Retrieved 2013-11-23.
  2. ↑ Scott Guttierez (16 December 2011). "AG's office settles campaign finance lawsuit against Moxie Media". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 2013-11-23.
  3. ↑ Jerry Cornfield (21 August 2010). "Returns drop Sen. Berkey to third; 5,000 more ballots left to be counted". Everett Herald. Retrieved 2013-11-23.
  4. ↑ Thompson, Lynn (17 August 2010). "State Sen. Jean Berkey asks PDC to set aside election results". Seattle Times. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  5. ↑ "Puyallup Sen. Jim Kastama says he'll introduce resolution to not seat fellow Democrat Nick Harper due to Moxie Media scandal". News Tribune. 6 January 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  6. ↑ Smith, Erik (16 November 2010). "Republicans Say Senate Should Deny Seat to Nick Harper — and Force Dems to Make a Mighty Uncomfortable Decision". Washington State Wire. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  7. ↑ Jerry Cornfield (2013-11-10). "Harper quits state Senate". Everett Herald. Archived from the original on 2013-11-11. Retrieved 2013-11-23.
  8. ↑ Erica Barnett (11 November 2013). "GMOs, the Boeing Break, a Sudden Departure, and More". Seattle Metropolitan. Retrieved 2013-11-23.
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