Newspaper Admits Mix-Up In Campaign Contribution Article

City Councilwoman Diane Buckshnis said on Tuesday that a newspaper report detailing funds and expenditures by Edmonds candidates in the Nov. 8 general election erred in reporting her contributions.

The report was to be fixed online by the The Weekly Herald and the article's writer, Evan Smith.

The article originally reported: “The most expensive City Council race is the one between incumbent Councilwoman Diane Buckshnis and challenger Bob Wilcox. Wilcox has raised $15,684 and spent $8,909. Buckshnis has raised $11,523 and spent $2,444. An independent expenditure of $700 is listed as opposing Wilcox.” 

Buckshnis said that the attribution of an independent contribution to her campaign was in fact made to Wilcox.  

“The way this is written implies that I received an independent expenditure of $700,” Buckshnis said. “I have received no such independent expenditure or any independent expenditure to date.  In fact, I would have denied this type of contribution as it is in excess of Edmonds’ $500 maximum contribution limits.” 

Buckshnis adds: “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.

Smith admitted to the error, saying that he "confused the independent-support column with the independent-oppose column."