Signature gatherers for Let’s Go Washington (LGW), a conservative political action committee backing initiatives on parental rights and protections for girls in sports, faced a series of coordinated attacks this week, according to LGW officials. Within just two days of launching their campaigns, gatherers reported theft, intimidation, and threats in at least three separate incidents across Washington.
“This all happened within the last day,” said LGW Communications Manager Hallie Balch, calling the situation “incredibly disturbing.” The group, founded by entrepreneur Brian Heywood, is pushing forward with two initiatives focused on family and female athlete protections. But those efforts have quickly become the target of aggressive opposition.
In Clark County, a store manager allegedly blocked gatherers using shopping carts and actively discouraged customers from signing the petitions. In Tacoma, an individual pretended to sign but instead defaced completed signature sheets, while an accomplice threatened the gatherer with violence if she didn’t leave the Walmart premises. In Bonney Lake, thieves stole eight completed signature sheets and fled into nearby woods. Surveillance footage has been provided to police.
Heywood condemned the incidents on social media, accusing opponents of using “intimidation, vandalism, violent threats, and theft” to suppress voter engagement. Washington Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh echoed those concerns, saying the disruptors exhibited behavior consistent with “professional agitators,” not grassroots opponents.
Balch emphasized that the targeted harassment isn’t just about stolen paperwork — it puts signers’ private information at risk. “Best case scenario: They just destroy it. Worst case: They hunt these people down,” she warned.
Despite the threats, public support for LGW’s initiatives appears to be growing. “We’re getting all these people saying, ‘Just send it to me and I’ll collect signatures on my own,’” said Balch. “We’re going to get these signatures no matter what they try to throw at us.”
Balch called on state leaders — including the attorney general, secretary of state, and governor — to uphold democracy and protect voters’ rights. As of Tuesday, LGW had received no response from any of those offices.
Washington’s Director of External Affairs for the Secretary of State’s Office, Charlie Boisner, acknowledged that the state has laws to protect voters and the signature-gathering process, but did not specify if enforcement actions were underway.
The initiative campaigns are continuing, but the PAC has confirmed that it is working closely with law enforcement and considering further action to ensure the safety and integrity of the democratic process.
