Correction:

The web and print article “Campaign contributions issue ruffles feathers on both sides” incorrectly reported that Port Orchard City Council member Cindy Lucarelli accepted a $950 contribution from the Affordable Housing Council. The organization did not contribute, nor did Lucarelli accept, that amount. The amount given, and the candidate did accept, was $500. Lucarelli is conducting a mini-reporting campaign under $5,000, which has a $500 limit for direct contributions. In addition, challenger Marcus Lane said he did not interview with the Association of Kitsap Realtors, as was attributed in a quote.

Is money from outside organizations unduly flowing into the campaigns of Port Orchard mayoral and city council candidates?

It depends on who you ask.

Postings online and in print from some South Kitsap citizens are alleging that campaign donations from a national real-estate organization have filled the coffers of several Port Orchard political campaigns for public office, including those of mayoral candidate Rob Putaansuu and City Council candidates John Clauson, Cindy Lucarelli and Shawn Cucciardi.

Todd Penland of Port Orchard, who has the Facebook blog “South Kitsap Politics” and posts regularly on other Port Orchard-related pages, contends that the contributions are an attempt to unduly influence the city’s local races. Penland and others say that the Chicago-based National Association of Realtors has contributed almost $25,000 into the local races in an attempt to influence upcoming city government decisions about building impact fees.

They also contend the contributions are providing the candidates with an unfair advantage in the upcoming general election Nov. 3.

Cucciardi, City Council candidate for Position 1, vehemently rejects the charges.

“I can assure you that $5,450 from an outside source does not sit in my campaign account,” he said. The campaigns of Putaansuu, Clausoni and Cucciardi each received contributions of $950 from the Affordable Housing Council of Kitsap County. Putaansuu also received $950 from the Washington Association of Realtors Political Affairs Council, according to records from the state’s Public

A point of contention by Penland and some others is the $8,507 in “independent support” provided to Putaansuu’s campaign as reported in the PDC’s report, as well as $5,450 to Clauson, Lucarelli and Cucciardi.

When contacted for comment, Cucciardi and Putaansuu cautioned that those contributions need to be put into context.

Cucciardi said there’s a clear delineation between how direct contributions and those classified as independent expenditures are assigned and distributed.

“The $5,450 that’s being talked about are funds that may or may not be spent by others not associated with my campaign,” he said.

These funds, he added, are considered independent support by the PDC and aren’t controlled by the candidates’ campaigns.

The Affordable Housing Council is listed as having its headquarters in Bremerton and the Kitsap County Association of Realtors is based in Silverdale.

Penland concedes the contributions — direct and independent — are legal, but is concerned whether it’s appropriate for candidates to accept them.

“Their opponents have committed to self-fund their campaigns and not take money from outside groups.

“There’s a sense in the community that the business community and the people who are running our government have too cozy a relationship.”

Putaansuu, meanwhile, said he’s perplexed by the insinuations of impropriety.

“When I was interviewed (by the Realtors’ association), they asked me if I would accept their endorsement and a $950 contribution,” he said. “I said yes. To me, it’s a bit of sour grapes we’re now hearing because both of us (Putaansuu and his opponent, Mayor Tim Matthes) tried to get their endorsement,” Putaansuu said.

“I have no knowledge about what the individual-support contribution is or how they plan to spend it. I don’t have any control over it. It’s their money.”

Cucciardi said he had no qualms about accepting the Realtors’ endorsement and contribution.

“These are people I respect,” he said. “They’re leaders in our community, they are fathers and mothers, my neighbors and volunteers in our schools. I’m appreciative of their support.”

Cindy Lucarelli, who is running for reelection to her Position 5 council seat, also said the issue has been overblown.

“(The Kitsap Realtors association) gave me a legal contribution, within my campaign limits. There’s nothing shady about it.”

She accepted $500 contributions from Affordable Housing Council and the Realtors association, the legal limit for a mini-reporting campaign under $5,000.

Eliason, CEO and government affairs director of the Kitsap County Association of Realtors, said his organization is “transparent” about their campaign endorsement and contributions process.

“We don’t advocate for individual members or government projects,” Eliason said.

Direct financial campaign contributions have a $950 limit in city races. Independent expenditures, he said, are regulated by a different set of rules.

Political-action committees, or PACs, have no contribution limit.

As far as independent-support money to candidates, Eliason said candidates can’t accept or reject those dollars, nor can they communicate with outside groups.

He said his organization has contributed to both political parties and contributed in the past to Mayor Matthes’ campaign for Kitsap County commissioner, as well as to campaigns by U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer and state Sen. Jan Angel.

As to allegations that the Realtors organization has targeted the Port Orchard city elections for additional financial support, Eliason added that the Realtors also have contributed more money to political campaigns in Bremerton and Poulsbo than in Port Orchard.

“The national organization does not contribute campaign funds or make endorsement decisions in local races,” he said.

“That’s up to our local Realtors.”