Pacific County Sheriff Candidates Face Ethics Complaints Over Campaign Activities Involving Mothers
The contentious race for Pacific County sheriff has led to formal ethics complaints filed with the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) against both incumbent Daniel C. Garcia and challenger Rich A. Byrd. The complaints, filed within a week of each other, allege campaign boundary violations involving the candidates' mothers. The complaint against Garcia, filed by former Long Beach mayor Jerry Phillips, claims Garcia used public assets by attending forums in uniform and a county vehicle, and that his mother, Karma Garcia, used the Sheriff's Office Facebook page to coordinate campaign yard sign pickups. The complaint against Byrd, filed by Kathy Peterson, alleges campaign finance violations related to a bake sale organized by his mother, Doris Byrd, which raised $5,900. Peterson argues the fundraiser was not properly structured as a 'low-cost fundraiser' and that the proceeds constituted an excessive, indirect contribution exceeding state limits. 
