Teachers Union Sues Campaign Watchdogs

The state’s largest teachers union said Monday it has sued the state’s campaign finance watchdog, contending the agency abused its authority and harassed the union over the past year.

Melissa Warheit, executive director of the state Public Disclosure Commission, said she had not seen the lawsuit and could not comment on it.

A news release from the Washington Education Association said the union filed the suit in Thurston County Superior Court, contending the disclosure commission had harassed and mistreated the union while investigating allegations of illegal campaigning.

The suit asks the court to limit the agency’s ability to “harass (WEA) through abuse of authority.”