Update Regarding Legal Challenge
Dear Friends and Supporters,
I'm writing to share an important clarification about a legal challenge that arose during this campaign.
As some of you may have heard, my opponent Brian Gaspar took legal action against me after I spoke publicly about his history of domestic violence restraining orders and related criminal issues. I am pleased to share that the court heard our case and ruled completely in my favor.
Judge Lapin made extensive oral findings in support of constitutional free speech protections. Among his key determinations:
Speech about candidates for public office is constitutionally protected
My statements were factually true and drawn from public records
Even if my opponent were not a public figure, the statements were not defamatory because they were accurate and provided full context
There was no evidence whatsoever of any threat to Mr. Gaspar or his family
In this era where free speech has been under attack nationwide, it was distressing to see this issue reach my doorstep. I'm incredibly gratified to see our constitutional protections prevail.
I want to be clear that I did not relish revealing this information about my opponent. But I knew it was the kind of information some community members would find relevant, and they deserved to know. I am a person who stands behind my words, and I do not engage in rumors or anonymous online posts. This is exactly what constitutional speech protections are built for, and I'm grateful the court saw it that way as well.
Brian Gaspar has said he is no longer campaigning for office, though you'll still see his name on the ballot and in the voter guide. So I'm continuing to work hard out on the campaign trail—introducing myself and my priorities to voters across Mercer Island, with a goal of strengthening the relationship between the school board and the island community so that together we can make our schools the very best they can be.
Thank you so much for your support as we move forward with this important work.
