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Des Moines council faces deadlock – Wasson resigns, citing state’s investigation

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Des Moines City Councilman Don Wasson resigned in March 2003 amid a campaign finance scandal, after allegations that he concealed $49,000 in undisclosed contributions funded by businessman Hank Hopkins, who sought to build a conveyor system for SeaTac Airport's proposed third runway. The contributions were intended to elect council members more favorable to the runway project, and the state Public Disclosure Commission was investigating whether Wasson and Hopkins broke state law. Wasson's resignation left the six remaining council members deadlocked, raising uncertainty about city governance during a critical period for airport expansion policy.

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Seattle Times news article by Bob Young reporting on the resignation of Des Moines City Councilman and former mayor Don Wasson on March 16, 2003, following a campaign finance scandal involving concealed $49,000 in contributions from businessman Hank Hopkins. Hopkins funded the contributions to elect council members Maggie Steenrod, Richard Benjamin, and Gary Petersen, intending to build a conveyor system to transport fill dirt from the Des Moines waterfront to a proposed third runway at Sea-Tac Airport. The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) alleged Wasson and Hopkins violated state disclosure law; PDC spokesman Doug Ellis commented on whether resignation remedies a legal violation. With six remaining council members expected to deadlock, successor appointment may fall to the Metropolitan King County Council.

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