Rantz: Candidate goes into debt running campaign with no opponent

John Wilson is the incumbent King County Assessor running for reelection without any opponents. Somehow, however, he has managed to go into debt, spending an extraordinary amount on his campaign.

According to the Public Disclosure Committee (PDC), Wilson’s latest reporting shows he raised $84,130.00, primarily from individual donations. But he’s spent $100,648.20, including $16,518.20 carry-over from his previous campaign, leaving him in a small amount of debt.

Wilson has paid Blue Wave Political Partners $19,000 for fundraising services. He also paid $3,050 to Campaign Compliance Solutions. According to LinkedIn, it provides “compliance, accounting, financial management and operations assistance to Democratic political committees.”

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You get really hungry running a campaign against no one

The incumbent assessor’s fundraising efforts appear to involve a lot of pricey catering for his donors. In March 2023, Wilson reported $21,794.41 on event catering at Westin Seattle. It’s categorized under fundraising and other costs. In April 2023, he coughed up another $2,533.68 on event fundraising catering at the Hyatt Regence Bellevue and $361.61 at the Royal Room. Over the course of February, May and July 2023, Wilson reported a total of $3,921.96 in food and beverages at The Rainier Club. Again, this was related to fundraising.

On his personal Facebook page, Wilson announced he had a brand new website while soliciting for donations “to help us make the final push for real property tax reform.” It caught the attention of Clark County Assessor Peter Van Nortwick who wrote, “I didn’t think you had an opponent?” Wilson responded, saying that he still needs “to reach voters.” But he doesn’t appear to be spending much money on reaching voters.

Wilson has only spent $268.09 on lawn signs in 2023, a traditional way to get word out about a campaign. He spent $2,000 with Sermo Digital on building his new website. He spent an additional $775.00 on photography services, and $446.31 on Mailchimp, which could be used to send newsletters to supporters (or fundraising emails). Wilson also used Mailchimp for six months in 2022, when he also spent $2,715.00 on fundraising consultant Zachary Martin and nearly $1000.00 on meals for fundraising.

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Here’s the reason Wilson is spending big

On the surface, this kind of spending is suspicious. But to one local political consultant speaking to The Jason Rantz Show on KTTH, Wilson’s spending makes total sense.

“Wilson is running for King County executive,” the consultant told me, saying it’s a rumor that’s been spreading. “He’s doing what one does when you’re running unopposed and running for higher office. I’ve heard from others he’s angling for executive.”

The consultant, who asked not to be named, argues Wilson is “using a non competitive campaign to position himself for a future competitive race.” Wilson is raising a lot now so he can get in front of donors who he hopes will back him when he announces a run for King County executive. Dow Constantine, the current executive, is not expected to run for re-election.

Wilson did not respond to requests for comment. Wilson’s treasurer, however, reached out after publication to clarify where they stand financially. I asked if Wilson was running for Executive and if he responds, I’ll update the story.

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