Senn Says, "Stop Republican Smear Campaign"
For Immediate Release
September 7, 2004
Senn Says, "Stop Republican Smear Campaign"
Seattle,WA- The Deborah Senn for Attorney General campaign says to Republican candidate Rob McKenna, "Tell your undisclosed Republican supporters to stop their last minute smear campaign." Senn has faced a barrage of negative television ads that began airing just before Labor Day. Senn's campaign today released an open letter to Republican candidate for Attorney General Rob McKenna. In the letter Senn challenges McKenna to denounce the tactics of the secretive Voters Education Committee (VEC). Senn challenges McKenna to demand the group stop running its negative attack ads statewide, and to disclose the identity of its contributors. VEC has unleashed a $1.2 million smear advertising campaign against candidate Deborah Senn without disclosing its funding sources with the Public Disclosure Commission. Through its attorney, John White, VEC claims the committee is "non-political." VEC launched its ad campaign with less than two weeks remaining before the state's primary election. VEC committee attorney, John White, is also General Counsel for the Washington State Republican Party. "It's absurd to maintain that VEC is an independent entity. This just doesn't pass the smell test," Senn said.
VEC was incorporated by Bellevue developer, William Conner, who has donated $44,000 to Republican candidates and causes in 2004.
VEC's "Director" is Bruce Borum, also Executive Director of United for Washington, a business PAC whose board members include prominent Republicans like Pat Herbold, Chairman of the King County Republican Executive Committee. Borum is a strategist and spokesman for Dave Reichert's congressional campaign.
VEC's "record custodian" is Valerie Huntsberry, Associate Director of United for Washington, Secretary of the King County Republican Central Committee and Executive Board member of the Washington State Republican Party.
At a news conference on Monday in Seattle, Senn said, "These attack ads by a secret group undermine civil discourse and our political process. They skirt the law and violate the spirit of public disclosure that is a proud Washington tradition." "Like me, Rob McKenna is running to be Attorney General, Washington's chief legal officer. The least people expect from us is ethical and effective leadership among those who profess to be our friends and followers," Senn said. Senn appealed to McKenna whose campaign biography notes that he is an "Eagle Scout." "Rob frequently identify himself as an Eagle Scout, one who is morally straight and one who believes in value-based leadership. We who aspire to be Attorney General should set a positive example for others by stopping the muck being slung from the shadows," Senn said.
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