LAKE STEVENS—Zephaniah Borynack, who is running for the Washington State House of Representatives to represent the 39th District Position 1 as an alleged “Democrat,” has his fair share with legal trouble over the years, from explosives charges to a pattern of sexual misconduct. There also appears to be a possible link to his Republican opponent, former Representative Robert Sutherland, who is vying for the same seat. Borynack is the only declared Democrat in the race.

In 2012 Borynack was charged with unlawful intercourse with a minor more than three years younger than him in age, in Riverside County, California. That March, as part of a plea agreement, Borynack was sentenced to a combined 140 days in a Work Release Program, ordered to stay within 10 yards away from the property of the victim, and ordered to pay restitution. He was also put on probation for 36 months which he appears to have violated that December.

Borynack did, however, submit proof of Work Release Program completion in August of 2014.

In October of 2013, Borynack was arrested along with his brother and father, and charged with 14 counts of Unlawfully Possessing a Destructive/Explosive Device in Riverside County, California. Borynack pled not guilty in that case and all 14 counts were reduced to Manufacturing, Importing, Selling, or Possession of any Metal Knuckles. He was ordered to pay a $140 fine.

It should be noted that in the police records dealing with both cases, obtained by the Lynnwood Times, Borynack’s middle name is filed as “James” but according to Nexis data Borynack’s middle name is “John.” Also, according to Nexis data there is only one Zephaniah Borynack living in the United States.

In December of 2022, Borynack was issued a Washington State Tax Lien in the amount of $5,912.23 in Snohomish County. In July of 2023, the lien was satisfied.

In May of 2022, Borynack’s then-wife Jordyn petitioned for divorce, filing two separate protection orders against Borynack including a Sexual Assault Protection Order. Once the divorce was finalized in 2023, Borynack’s ex-wife had filed approximately eight protection orders, including reissued orders, against him. As part of some of these protection orders, Borynack was ordered to surrender his weapons.

According to Borynack’s candidate statement, which will be included in the voter’s guide, Borynack is a “proud IBEW union member.” His platform revolves around a woman’s right to choose, housing affordability, decreasing violent crime, and working towards a more “joy[ful]” and “peace[ful]” community.

The Public Disclosure Commission of Washington reports that Borynack’s campaign has garnered $0 since he filed to run for office and has yet to file any of contribution nor expenditure statements, as required by law for full reporting registration filing. Also, Borynack does not have a campaign website as of the publication date of this article.

Borynack reported that he is currently unemployed after being laid off from his job as a welder in his F-1 filing that was turned in over a month late. In the voter’s pamphlet, he claimed to have worked in the construction industry since 2009 where he learned “how to work hard and build infrastructure.”

He has a high school diploma, claiming to have graduated “with honors,” and attended power line mechanic trade school where he claims to have graduated “top of [his] class.”

The Lynnwood Times reached out to Zephaniah multiple times for an opportunity to address his background, as well as discuss his platform, but he did not answer the phone, return our calls, nor return our emails. He has yet to participate in any forums or debates.

Borynack is running as the sole Democratic candidate to represent Washington’s 39th District which encompasses parts of Snohomish County, Skagit County, and the Northeastern part of King County.

Democratic Party County Chairs denounce Borynack

Skagit County Democratic Chair Lynn Campbell informed the Lynnwood Times that Borynack is not endorsed, recommended, or otherwise supported by the Skagit County Democrats, adding that any candidate can choose whatever party they identify with when filing to run.

“Mr. Borynack is not a member of the Skagit County Democrats, nor would we accept him as a member,” Skagit County Democrat Chair Lynn Campbell told the Lynnwood Times.

The Snohomish County Democrat Party shared similar sentiments with Chair Monica Chilton informing the Lynnwood Times:

“The Snohomish County Democratic Central Committee (a.k.a. Snohomish County Democrats) did not nominate Mr. Borynack, nor has our organization endorsed Mr. Borynack. To my knowledge, he has never attended any of our meetings and is not affiliated with the Democratic Party in any capacity.”

Democrat Zephaniah Borynack, Republican Robert Sutherland and a common pledge

Upon further investigation by the Lynnwood Times, alleged Democratic candidate Zephaniah Borynack is linked to fellow opponent and former Representative Robert Sutherland, a Republican, who is also vying for the same 39th District Position 1 seat. Both the names of Borynack and Sutherland signed a Declaration of Dependence on God pledge authored by the Truth in Love Project, which, according to its website,” is to make disciples of the nation.”

“We focus on sound doctrine, Christian apologetics, end times Bible prophecy, welcoming all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, shepherding the Body of Christ, and seeing the lost come to salvation through Jesus Christ,” its mission states.

The Declaration of Dependence on God pledge signed by both 39th LD Democratic candidate Zephaniah Borynack and 39th LD Republican candidate Robert Sutherland, aligns both constitutional rights with Christian biblical viewpoints. Critical of the “authority” of state during the COVID lockdowns, the pledge lists the following set of actions or rules:

• We will advance the cause of Christ and our Christ-centered convictions at all costs and without compromise
• We will uphold the Constitution of the United States of America & our individual States
• We refuse to conform to and condone unconstitutional mandates or decrees
• We refuse to close down our churches, businesses and/or meeting centers
• We refuse to push any medical treatment (including masks, untested shots, etc.) as being a spiritual or Christ-like responsibility or as safe and effective
• We will not be financially dependent on government by relying on them for aid to sustain the ministry we trust God to provide for
• We as Believers, pastors, ministry leaders, Christian fathers & mothers, Christian business owners, and medical professionals are united together to unapologetically give our personal support to all legislators and law enforcement that stand with us

The preamble to the pledge mentions that “we are living in the end times” and warns of a coming “Great Reset” that it calls the coming Beast system of Revelation 13.

“We must recognize, based on actual evidence, reasoning and the discernment of the Holy Spirit, that the COVID “pandemic” and the subsequent lockdowns were evil, fraudulent, and served the enemy’s greater purpose of ushering the world into the Great Reset and Beast System,” the document states.

The Lynnwood Times is awaiting a response from former Representative Robert Sutherland on the relationship he and fellow opponent Zephaniah Borynack have.