There's new evidence in Washington state that enforcement of campaign finance laws often isn't about better government—it's about punishing political opponents.
Consider four recent cases there that reveal the system's nature.
The Service Employees International Union Healthcare 1199NW—a union of more than 30,000 healthcare workers across Washington, created by employees to advocate for common interests—failed to report $430,000 in political contributions until after the 2024 election, including $200,000 each to the Kennedy Fund, an arm of the Washington State Senate Democratic Caucus, and the Harry Truman fund, a PAC connected to the House Democratic Caucus.
