Port of Tacoma cleared in campaign finance case

TACOMA – A judge has ruled in favor of the Port of Tacoma and two other groups, finding that they didn’t violate campaign finance laws.

The News Tribune reported the judge’s decision Wednesday dismisses the case brought against the port, the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County and the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce.

The state Attorney General’s Office had filed a complaint, arguing that port officials should’ve reported the $45,000 they spent in public funds to challenge the constitutionality of two ballot measures as campaign expenditures. The board and chamber both spent about $10,000 in the effort.

The judge found the groups’ lawsuit challenging the validity of the measures from the group Save Tacoma Water doesn’t constitute a campaign activity, keeping them from having to file campaign finance reports.