Moxie Media scandal

In that year's state senate primary elections, small political consulting firm Moxie Media engaged in astroturfing that resulted in a surprise loss for incumbent Jean Berkey.

Though the state's Democratic Party recognized Harper's achievements, rumors of an extramarital affair dogged him, and he resigned in late 2013.

Under Washington's nonpartisan blanket primary system, the two candidates with the highest number of total votes advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation.

In the run-up to the primary election, a small political consulting firm, Moxie Media, covertly directed more than $300,000 in undeclared spending from Harper's supporters to a variety of shell PACs.

The mailings portrayed Berkey as a left-wing legislator and encouraged conservatives to vote for the third-party candidate, Rod Rieger.