Spokane7
33°
August 13, 2010 in City
O’Quinn campaign clarifies statements on polling data
No surveys specifically showed candidate in lead
The campaign of Republican legislative candidate Shelly O’Quinn, which claimed in e-mails to GOP officials that polls showed her “blowing away the competition,” acknowledged Thursday that no such specific polling exists.
The revelation came after a complaint was filed with the state Public Disclosure Commission, questioning why O’Quinn’s campaign hadn’t listed polling expenses even though O’Quinn’s campaign manager had boasted about poll data in e-mails. Polling expenses must be reported under state law.
Thomas Jarrard, O’Quinn’s campaign manager, said in an interview Thursday his e-mails were accurate even though the claims were based on more generic polling that did not mention O’Quinn or her opponents, former state Rep. John Ahern or incumbent Rep. John Driscoll, by name.
“That e-mail is referring to polling that says conservative candidates are strong candidates in the 2010 election,” Jarrard said. “That is Shelly O’Quinn.”
The primary election for the 6th Legislative District House seat held by Driscoll has been marked by intense bitterness between the Republican campaigns. O’Quinn has been fighting back against Ahern supporters who say she isn’t conservative enough.
Late last month, Chuck Skirko Jr., president of the Spokane County Young Republicans, filed the complaint, which included copies of two e-mails from Jarrard. “Recent polling data shows that Shelly O’Quinn is blowing the competition away,” one of Jarrard’s e-mails from July 14 said. A message sent June 23 said, “Recent polling is also showing that Shelly is beating the competition,” according to a copy attached to Skirko’s complaint.
Spokane County Republican Party Chairwoman Cindy Zapotocky confirmed that Jarrard sent e-mails touting polling to party officials.
“I asked him to show us (the poll), and he didn’t do it,” Zapotocky said. The party has endorsed Ahern.
A written response from the O’Quinn campaign to an inquiry about the PDC complaint said “the polling referred to is not the type that requires campaign expenditure or reporting.
“The accusations made by John Ahern’s volunteer that this campaign has violated the rules of the Public Disclosure Commission are false and are an improper attempt to create a headline immediately prior to the close of the primary,” the statement said.
Skirko said Thursday he’s glad Jarrard provided more explanation about the polling.
“Perhaps he should publicly admit that he was misleading, at the least, to the Spokane County Republican Party board members and all of those who frequently receive his e-mails,” said Skirko, who said he filed the complaint without informing Ahern’s campaign.
Meanwhile, O’Quinn’s campaign alleges that Ahern’s campaign has distributed campaign fliers referring to Ahern as the incumbent state representative. State election law bars candidates from implying they are incumbents unless they are. Jarrard provided a copy of a brochure that says “re-elect John Ahern” that Jarrard said was distributed on the South Hill.
“John Ahern’s campaign has attempted to turn this primary into an intra-party mudslinging exercise and this campaign steadfastly refuses to participate,” said the statement from O’Quinn’s campaign.
Reached Thursday evening, Ahern said he was unaware the PDC complaint had been filed. His campaign has not used material that says “re-elect,” but if some were distributed, they may have been passed out by other Republicans campaigning for precinct committee officer who had material left from his 2008 campaign, Ahern said.
“I think we’ve conducted our campaign at a high level,” Ahern said. “I think I’ve done that. I think (O’Quinn has) done it, too.”
Ahern, a Republican, is running against O’Quinn and Democrat Driscoll for the seat he held until Driscoll edged him out in an election two years ago.
The top two candidates in Tuesday’s primary will advance.
Snow rules will be considered 
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ZagChuck on August 13 at 6:05 a.m.
Thomas Jarrard, a practicing attorney, sent out multiple lies via mass-email in a blatant attempt to influence an election. I wonder what the WA Bar Association will think.
Does this show how desperate the O’Quinn campaign has always been?
Also, the other two violations listed in my complaints to the PDC are accurate, even though they are not listed in the article.
PDC violations are important for a number of reasons. It shows willful disobedience, purposeful deception, or a lack of understating of the Public disclosure laws. If elected officials can’t get these laws correct, how can we trust them to read/write/interpret or obey any other laws.
In this case it is clear there is willful deception / (known in these parts as a Flat Out Lie!) / and an apparent lack of understanding of the PDC regulations. Clearly O’Quinn and her Campaign Manager, attorney Thomas Jarrard, are still not ready for the rigors of a campaign, let alone the rigors of a legislative session.
Chuck
JBlim on August 13 at 7:06 a.m.
Just what we need, another liar in Olympia.
ZagChuck on August 13 at 7:32 a.m.
Jarrard tried to spin it as “accurate” but sent out follow-up emails indicating they had paid for a poll that never existed.
Despicable
they lie, they can’t report accurate information in a timely manner, but they really want your vote…..
Vote Ahern, and avoid the O’Quinn disaster.
kaywrightmcg2003 on August 13 at 8:05 a.m.
The Spokesman endorsed O’Quinn, so don’t look for anything fair in the reporting from this fishwrap! About thru with the Review, as are thouands.
misjustice on August 13 at 9:13 a.m.
What, a politician lied? I’m SHOCKED!
Dazzeetrader11 on August 13 at 12:49 p.m.
How is it possible that Ahern doesn’t know what is campaign is doing. Seems like he’s “unaware” of too many things.
Shelly is at least even from the polling done a few months ago. Managers are overly enthusiastic…..it’s a demoralizing tactic so contributions go to the presumptive “winner” . Been going on for years. Ahern’s done it in past elections as well.
Remember…the first job of a politician is to get elected. The second job of a politician is to get re-elected. <don’t steal=”” my=”” quote=”” j!=”” :)=”” say=”” anything,=”” do=”” anything…..for=”” that=”” prize.=”” disheartening=”” but=”” life=”” goes=”” on.=”” i=”” do=”” think=”” shelley=”” has=”” a=”” brighter=”” future.=”” ahern’s=”” a=”” very=”” good=”” man=”” but=”” his=”” future=”” just=”” might=”” be=”” in=”” his=”“ past.=”“>
misjustice on August 13 at 4:29 p.m.
It’s not “your” quote, DAZE, my friend. I heard that in a PoliSci class a long time ago…and so it goes.
WFaulkner on August 13 at 9:15 p.m.
I agree Daisy. Shelley can have a great future - as a Democrat.
mmspowaus on August 14 at 12:16 a.m.
Daisy Minken here is your answer true
You don’t read well, so I’ll explain it here for you
Ahern’s does not monitor the campaigns of others
nor should he my citizen, sisters and brothers
But I’d gladly expire before voting in a liar,
for 6th state district rep position number 2
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Sorry it’s late and it was just sooooooo funny….
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Shelly O’Quinn, a recent, former Spokane Valley Girl, moved to the Spokane City 6th district in October 2009.
Despite her several comments to the contrary, she has run less than an ethical campaign with people that apparently will do anything to get her elected. We don’t need anymore of that in Olympia or any elected office…
Reminds me of Ol’ Nancy Pelosi “This will be the most ethical congress ever …blah blah cough blah” and it is one of the most corrupt congress in US history for scandal.
John Driscoll isn’t that fiscal in these difficult economic times and voted for SB 5599 which takes away Washington Citizens right to vote for President of the USA. A despicable act that should disqualify him from political office, forever.
My vote goes to Ahern. A proven State rep with a good track record and some 4 terms of seniority. He is not without his warts but he is a way better bet than his opponents….
ZagChuck on August 14 at 12:56 a.m.
@ Daisy,
To be clear, I am NOT a member of the Ahern Campaign. I am a strong supporter of liberty-minded, freedom-loving candidates, and John Ahern certainly fits the bill.
I believe in holding people accountable regardless their party affiliation, and therefore filed these PDC complaints. 2 of the 3 have proven to be valid, the other complaint will be dismissed only because the O’Quinn Campaign Lied about doing a poll.
It really is that simple.
Chuck Skirko Jr.
mmspowaus on August 14 at 12:57 p.m.
Chuck:
I agree with you and your mission of holding electeds accountable…
Did you read about SB 5599 that Driscoll supported?
eagleproducer on August 18 at 12:09 p.m.
SB 5599 would not have “taken away Washington citizens right to vote for the Presidency.” It was a part of a nationwide movement to elect the President by popular vote and not the archaic, undemocratic electoral college. If you are a member of the GOP I would think you’d welcome such a change. Under the current system you are essentially disenfranchised as all of Washington’s votes in the electoral college are cast for the Democratic presidential candidate in that winner take all system.
Oh, Shelly… Thanks for coming! You finished last and that is probably what your fake polls revealed would happen as well!
mmspowaus on August 22 at 7:42 p.m.
Ms. SpokeTucky,
Let me explain the situation in less confusing way.
Hypothetically, say Washington State wished to vote for candidate “A” for president of the United States of America. Every Citizen who can vote in Washington actually voted for candidate “A”.
The rest of the nation is in a near dead lock between candidate “A” and Candidate “B” splitting the electoral votes almost in half with candidate “B” leading with six more electoral votes and 120 more popular votes (Some speculate the ballots were tampered with in Southern Florida; but that’s Florida’s problem).
If this improbable scenario happened in 2008, the election would go to Candidate “A”, the candidate EVERY WASHINGTON STATE CITIZEN VOTED FOR.
IF IT HAPPENED IN 2012, Candidate “B” would win.
Thanks to Chris Marr, who sponsored the legislation and John Driscoll who voted for it along with Tim Ornsby, it no longer MATTERS how Washington State Citizens vote; since our votes AUTOMATICLY go to who ever has the majority of the popular vote.
Our vote in WA State is decided for us by the larger populated states, now.
If this is not taking away our right to vote for president, then you are not being objective….
We no longer decide, it is automatic….Thanks to Chris Marr…
Great for CA, TX, NY, FL, IL, MA not so good for the rest of us…
We have been betrayed….