The watchdog group’s complaint says over 150 instances of online content amounted to political advertising in support of Let’s Go Washington’s initiatives.
SEATTLE — A Washington campaign finance watchdog alleges Let’s Go Washington failed to disclose political advertising from Brandi Kruse tied to two 2026 ballot initiatives, according to a complaint filed with the state Public Disclosure Commission.
Washingtonians for Ethical Government said it filed the complaint Tuesday, asking the PDC to investigate whether Let’s Go Washington violated state campaign finance and disclosure laws.
The complaint centers on at least 159 instances of online content that the group says amounted to political advertising in support of Let’s Go Washington’s 2026 initiatives, identified as IL26-638 and IL26-001. The complaint says the content appeared on Kruse’s platforms between September 2025 and February 2026 and was not reported as an expense or in-kind contribution.
Per Washington State House Republicans, IL26-638 centered around “protecting girls sports,” by designing “to reserve participation in girls’ sports for students who are biologically female.” Per Ballotpedia, IL26-001 “concerns parental rights relating to their children in public schools.”
The group estimated the value of the disputed posts, podcast segments and other online promotions at between $345,900 and $1.25 million.
The complaint also alleges Let’s Go Washington failed to report at least two in-kind contributions connected to Kruse’s appearances at political rallies, including a Let’s Go Washington political event on February 3 and another Let’s Go Washington political event on October 4, 2025.
“Washingtonians For Ethical Government is requesting an investigation into Brian Heywood’s group, Let’s Go Washington, for flagrant disregard for state laws meant to provide transparency and build trust in our political system,” Pam Stuart, communications liaison for the group, said in a statement.
The complaint argues that Kruse’s content urged people to sign initiative petitions, promoted support for the measures and criticized groups opposed to the initiatives.
It also says Kruse should not be exempt from state political advertising rules because she sells advertising on her platforms and has more than 800,000 followers across multiple platforms.
Kruse denied the allegation in a statement:
“I have never received any form of funds or contribution—undisclosed and unreported or otherwise—from Let’s Go Washington. The claim that I have violated state disclosure law is therefore false and defamatory as a factual matter, and further ignores that state law explicitly makes clear that political commentary and editorials do not constitute political advertising. See RCW 29B.10.160(2)(d); WAC 390-05-290(3). This false statement therefore appears to be solely intended to harm my reputation, and I demand that you immediately issue a correction or clarification pursuant to RCW 7.96.040.”
The complaint also points to a prior PDC case involving Let’s Go Washington. The commission fined the political action committee $20,000, with half suspended under certain conditions, after finding the committee Let’s Go Washington violated Washington state campaign finance laws.
In that case, representatives for Let’s Go Washington argued the charges should be dismissed and said the committee followed the law in how it reported expenditures and kept records.
PDC staff have 90 days to review the new complaint and decide whether to investigate further.
If staff move forward, the case would be referred to the commission for a hearing.
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