Bob Wilcox Responds to Diane Buckshnis' Questioning of Contribution

On Tuesday, in which incumbent City Councilwoman Diane Buckshnis said a newspaper report detailing campaign contributions had erred in reporting that an independent expenditure of $700 was listed as opposing Bob Wilcox, her competitor for a council seat in the general election next month.

That detail was incorrect, and the newspaper admitted the error. The $700 contribution was made to Wilcox’s campaign.

Buckshnis went on to say: “Mr. Wilcox received a $700 independent expenditure, exceeding the spirit of the Edmonds maximum contribution limit of $500, and refused to answer any questions regarding this contribution or if there will be more. Additionally, this independent expenditure came from the Affordable Housing Council, which is a Political Action Committee (that) is a shill of the Master Builders Association.

Wilcox has now responded to Buckshnis’ allegation. Here is his statement:

“In response to Ms. Buckshnis, it is clear that she continues to both misunderstand basic campaign finance law and misrepresent the facts of this matter. I have explained before and will again, this was an independent expenditure by the Affordable Housing Council. I have no more control over what they do with their money than I do over what Buckshnis does with hers.

"The campaign finance limits in place in Edmonds limit the money I can solicit and receive. It doesn't limit the amount of independent money other groups can spend. It is campaign finance law 101 and apparently Buckshnis is still struggling with it. I had no knowledge of the independent expenditure until after the primary, and when I found out about it through the local press, I contacted Scott Hildebrand with the Affordable Housing Council and thanked him.

“I think it is sad to see The Master Builders and their political arm, The Affordable Housing Council, called a 'shill' and disparaged by a sitting councilwoman. They are a valued and solid corporate citizen in our community. Their Builders Care Foundation has donated $8.5 million to the King and Snohomish County communities with in-kind and cash contributions.

"Through their works, they have provided over 60,000 annual bed nights locally for the homeless and saved the 36-year-old house building program in the Edmonds school district. This just scratches the surface of the philanthropic impact they have. Their information is readily available online to anyone who wishes to look.

“I am proud that they have endorsed me, along with the Firefighters, Associated General Contractors, Carpenters Union and Laborers Union. We also have a cross section of endorsements from current and past civic leaders as well as citizens in the community. I received a donation of $500 dollars on Monday from the AHC and it will be posted next Monday with the PDC in our C-3 filings.

"If they are such a horrid organization, as is alleged by Buckshnis, I would doubt other candidates, past and present, such as Dave Orvis, Michael Plunkett, D.J. Wilson and Dave Earling would have accepted their help. They did and they should have. 

“As to our campaign, we will continue to move forward in a positive manner with the help of those who have endorsed and supported us.”