PDC finds 2024 candidate Laurieann McPherson violated reporting rules, chair announces $150 penalty with $100 suspended

The Public Disclosure Commission held an adjudicative hearing on Nov. 21 in PDC Case 157639 and found that Laurieann McPherson, a 2024 candidate for state representative in Legislative District 26, failed to file required campaign finance C‑4 reports. The commission’s chair announced a $150 penalty with $100 suspended provided McPherson files the missing reports and pays $50.

PDC staff summarized the case, saying McPherson registered under the full reporting option and had reporting obligations including a May C‑4 due 06/10/2024, a 21‑day preprimary C‑4 due 07/16/2024, a 7‑day preprimary C‑4 due 07/30/2024, and a post‑primary C‑4 due 09/10/2024; staff told the commission it received the first complaint on 08/01/2024 and sent nine reminder emails between 07/17/2024 and 09/11/2024. Staff cited RCW 42.17A.235 and RCW 42.17A.240 as the statutory filing requirements. As staff stated in its presentation, “the penalty schedule for this 1 would be $150.”

McPherson testified under oath that after her initial May filing she and family members experienced a series of medical emergencies that prevented further campaign activity and access to her campaign login. She described an adult son who “ended up in the hospital with a dehydration case where he almost died,” and recounted discovering a large mass that required surgery and an additional hernia repair, saying those events left her “out of commission.” She also said she did not accept contributions and had only paid the initial filing fee herself.

The chair explained the disposition to the respondent: “It’s a $150 with a 100 suspended, as long as you pay the $50 and file the required c fours, you’re good with us.” Staff told McPherson to contact them for help completing the required filings. The transcript records no formal roll‑call vote on the disposition; the chair announced the finding and the conditional penalty during the hearing.