Campaign season has kicked into high gear across Spokane, but one new mailer from District 3 State Senate Republican Candidate Nancy McLaughlin is causing quite the stir.
The mailer was sent out to 16,000 homes in the area. One picture on the ad is of McLaughlin, Mayor David Condon, three city council members who have come out in support of her and Council President Ben Stuckart, who has endorsed her opponent, Andy Billig.
Stuckart says he didn't know a picture of him was going to be in the ad and found out when a supporter called him asking why his picture was on the ad.
"I think from running my own campaign, everybody's picture that you use you get their permission as well I think it's a professional courtesy if you are going to use somebody's picture you ask them beforehand. You don't let them find out from constituents out in the community," Stuckart added.
McLaughlin says she picked out pictures that represent her, in the ad there is also a picture of her grandkids and another one with her and a small business owner.
"The intent of the picture was never an endorsement but rather just depicting my service on the city council," McLaughlin said.
Democratic State Representative Andy Billig, who's running against McLaughlin, said he's disappointed with McLaughlin for using one of his strongest supporters in her ad.
"It's really misleading, inappropriate and unethical to use a photo of somebody without their permission," Billig said.
McLaughlin emphasizes that pictures shouldn't be the buzz.
"I hope we aren't going to continue to have conversations like things over pictures we are about the issues," she said.
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