A controversy over political vendor access at the Washington State Fair has ended in a compromise, with Pierce County Republicans once again allowed to sell merchandise and collect petition signatures inside the fairgrounds.
The dispute began after certain vendors, including the Pierce County GOP and pro-life groups, received letters from the fair imposing new restrictions, and in some cases flat out rejecting their participation.
Puyallup Peace Deal: GOP Booth Will Be At The Washington State
“This wasn’t fixed by social media anger. It was fixed because people sat down and talked. We got exactly what we wanted, a return to the status quo, and now it’s time to fill that booth with volunteers.” pic.twitter.com/M4g0QQBd05
— Ari Hoffman 🎗 (@thehoffather) August 15, 2025
The GOP was told they could no longer sell merchandise or collect signatures at their usual high-traffic location in the Showplex building. Instead, they were offered space in a less-frequented area. Pro-life groups received an even sharper letter, saying their values might be “more welcome somewhere else.”
The changes sparked calls for a boycott among some conservatives. But rather than escalating the conflict, Talk Radio 570 KVI brought both sides on the Ari Hoffman Show earlier this week. On Monday, listeners heard directly from fair public relations manager Stacy Van Horn and Pierce County GOP Chair Dave McMullen.
By Thursday, the standoff was resolved. In a Van Horn announced that the GOP would be able to sell merchandise and gather signatures at their traditional booth inside the Showplex.
Van Horne wrote in her statement, “The Washington State Fair Event Center and Chair of the Pierce County Republican Party met and discussed the parameters of their booth at the upcoming Fair. We have come to a mutual understanding to allow the GOP to continue gathering signatures and selling merchandise at their booth inside the ShowPlex building.”
She added, “If official nationally recognized political parties apply to be in the ShowPlex amongst other paying vendors, they can operate under those policies and guidelines. All vendors at the Fair must do all business from inside their booths.”
Van Horne noted that, “Other politically-focused groups may still apply to be in the free speech area (located inside the Green Gate) at no cost.”
Fair officials emphasized their mission “to welcome everyone to our fair to create extraordinary moments from guests to partners,” while still maintaining the event’s focus on entertainment, food, and commerce.
Petitions at the Booth
Among the petitions the Pierce County GOP will have available this year is an initiative that will require voter identification for all elections in Washington to help restore election integrity.
Call for Volunteers
With the dispute resolved just weeks before the fair opens, the Pierce County GOP now faces a scramble to recruit volunteers for nearly a month of staffing needs. “They really have to catch up,” Hoffman said. “If you were one of those people saying you’d boycott the fair, you got what you wanted. Now help fill that booth.”
Hoffman urged supporters to show the same enthusiasm online for the resolution as they did for the original controversy, and to consider volunteering or visiting the booth. “If it looks empty, the other side will say, ‘See, there aren’t that many Republicans anyway.’ Let’s not give them that narrative.”
Bigger Picture
Hoffman noted the episode shows the value of finding solutions rather than just fueling outrage. “This wasn’t fixed by social media anger. It was fixed because people sat down and talked,” he said. “We now have a clear policy going forward, and that’s a win for everyone.”
The Washington State Fair runs for nearly four weeks in Puyallup. KVI will host “Military Mondays” at the fair, and the GOP booth will feature merchandise, flags, and petitions.
As Hoffman summed it up: “You can be part of the solution or you can keep being mad. I say, come buy a scone, sign a petition, buy some merch, visit us at the KVI booth, and enjoy the fair.”
