Federal Election Commission ‘found no reason to believe’ in what Kent advisor called ‘baseless lies;

YACOLT — The FEC recently released its decision and an analysis of the employment-related accusations against Joe Kent and stated the following:

“The Commission found no reason to believe that 1) Joseph Kent and Joe Kent for Congress and Thomas Datwyler in his official capacity as treasurer violated 52 U.S.C. §§ 30116(f) or 30118(a) by knowingly accepting excessive or prohibited corporate contributions through salary payments made by Kent’s employer; and 2) Joe Kent for Congress and Thomas Datwyler in his official capacity as treasurer violated 52 U.S.C. §§ 30116(f) or 30118(a) by knowingly accepting excessive or prohibited corporate in-kind contributions in the form of payments for polling. Accordingly, the Commission closed its file in this matter.”

In the 2022 general election, Kent was defeated by Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez by less than a 1 percent margin in the race for the Third Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He has received an early endorsement from the Clark County Republican Party and the Washington State Republican Party. Camas City Councilor Leslie Lewallen, a Republican, is also a candidate in Third Congressional District in the 2024 election.

Kent advisor Erin Van Natta made the following statement:

“Marie Perez and a willing local and national media ran with baseless lies about Joe Kent and his employer and now he has been fully vindicated. We are grateful to the FEC for its investigation that concluded Joe was gainfully employed by American Enterprise Solutions.

“Marie Perez’s blatantly false accusation that Joe, a retired 20-year Army combat veteran and CIA field operative, ‘didn’t work for a living’ is abhorrent and she and the rest of the media that spread this lie owe Joe an apology.’’

The FEC letter and analysis can be found online at https://JoeKentforCongress.com/FEC.