Political campaigns move quickly. Legal questions involving campaign advertising, disclosure, and enforcement require clear advice grounded in both the law and the practical realities of reaching voters.
KUOW recently turned to Tomlinson Bomsztyk Russ attorney Tallman Trask for his perspective on digital political advertising in Washington. Amy Radil’s October 28, 2026 article examines advertising by an independent political committee in a contested Washington Supreme Court race—and the tension between state disclosure requirements and advertising purchase restrictions imposed by Google and Meta. Read the full article here: In heated WA judicial race, labor PAC buys ads on Google, Meta despite prohibitions
The “Worst of Both Worlds” for Political Advertising
As KUOW reported, Google and Meta prohibit Washington political advertisements. At the same time, the companies have faced legal questions about their compliance with the state’s advertising disclosure requirements for political advertisements that appear on the platforms despite the platforms’ rules and prohibitions.
Mr. Trask described the resulting situation as “the worst of both worlds,” explaining that uneven enforcement of the platforms’ policies can leave candidates unable to respond through the same channels outside groups use to reach voters, voters without the information they are entitled to, and advertising buyers and sellers in limbo.
His observation highlights a practical challenge for campaigns: access to an advertising platform can shape both the message voters receive and a candidate’s ability to answer it.
Experience With Washington’s Disclosure System
Mr. Trask’s involvement in these issues extends beyond commentary. Mr. Trask’s previous complaint to the Washington Public Disclosure Commission concerning Facebook’s disclosure practices was referred to the Attorney General’s Office and helped lead to its 2020 lawsuit. Additional complaints filed by Mr. Trask led to six-figure settlements between alleged violators and the State.
That experience brings a valuable perspective to political legal questions, where disclosure obligations, technology, and enforcement intersect.
Political Legal Advice for Washington Campaigns and Organizations
For candidates, political committees, and organizations participating in public affairs, advertising decisions can carry immediate financial and reputational consequences. Planning an advertising campaign, or filing or responding to a complaint requires advice that accounts for deadlines, public scrutiny, and the campaign’s broader objectives.
Tomlinson Bomsztyk Russ provides political legal advice to help clients understand their obligations, evaluate risk, and make informed strategic decisions. We bring the same direct advice and focused advocacy to politically sensitive matters that guide our litigation practice.
If your campaign or organization needs political legal advice in Washington, contact Tomlinson Bomsztyk Russ to discuss how our team can help.