How the WSFB PAC works

How the WSFB PAC works

At the 1997 Washington Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, the delegates recommended that Washington Farm Bureau form a political action committee (PAC). The WFB Board of Directors approved the formation of a PAC and directed that its operations reflect the beliefs of Farm Bureau's grassroots membership.

As a result, the Washington State Farm Bureau PAC (WSFB PAC) is unique among political action committees, with decision-making shared by county Candidate Evaluation Committees, county Farm Bureau boards of directors, and the WSFB PAC State Board of Trustees.

Candidate Evaluation Committees, appointed by their county Farm Bureau boards, interview and evaluate candidates. These committees then forward their recommendations to the WSFB PAC State Board of Trustees, but only after receiving approval from their county Farm Bureau boards of directors.

The WSFB PAC State Board of Trustees, appointed by the Washington Farm Bureau board of directors, then reviews the county recommendations and determines which candidates to endorse.

The WSFB PAC is non-partisan. Endorsements are based on the candidates' understanding and support of the agricultural community and Farm Bureau policies.

Only upon a showing of exceptional and compelling circumstances may the WSFB PAC State Board of Trustees reject a recommendation by a county Candidate Evaluation Committee. WSFB PAC bylaws are designed to prevent anyone from substituting their individual judgment for that of the Candidate Evaluation Committee.

In state legislative races, all county Candidate Evaluation Committees in a candidate's district must recommend the same candidate before the WSFB PAC can make an endorsement. If there is not 100% agreement among the affected Candidate Evaluation Committees, the WSFB PAC must remain neutral.

In districts with no county Farm Bureau participation, WSFB PAC bylaws authorize the WSFB PAC State Board of Trustees to make endorsements by a two-thirds vote. The WSFB PAC State Board of Trustees also may make endorsements in races where the affected county Candidate Evaluation Committees have deferred.

In federal and statewide race (U.S. Senate, Washington Supreme Court, governor and other state offices), endorsements require two-thirds agreement by the county Candidate Evaluation Committees. Without two-thirds agreement, the WSFB PAC must remain neutral.

The WSFB PAC State Board of Trustees also determines WSFB PAC contributions. The WSFB PAC State Board of Trustees may only contribute to endorsed candidates. Two-thirds of the WSFB PAC State Board of Trustees must agree to the contribution.

Contributions are made from a WSFB PAC fund that contains voluntary contributions from Farm Bureau members. No dues or other Farm Bureau funds are used to support candidates.

By vesting decision making in the county Farm Bureaus, members determine WSFB PAC endorsements.

For more information about the WSFB PAC, contact Patrick Connor, WFB Director of National Affairs.