Broadcaster-turned-candidate off the air for now

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Yakima City Council candidate and AM radio personality Dave Ettl was off the air Monday morning and unsure exactly when he'd be back on.

When broadcasters run for elected office, federal law mandates that the companies that air them offer equal air time to their opponents. In such situations, broadcast companies often pull candidates off the air rather than be forced to give equal time.

"That's the reason they are typically removed from the air, not because we mandate it; stations just don't want to give free equal time," said Bobby Baker, a spokesman for the Federal Communications Commission.

It's the same reason California television stations didn't run Arnold Schwarzenegger movies when he was running for governor of California, he said.

Ettl said Monday that he did not know whether either of his two opponents -- incumbent Councilwoman Sonia Rodriguez and Yakima homemaker Sharon Madson -- had requested equal time.

Calling the situation complicated, Ettl said he was "going on vacation anyway."

"Technically, I'm on vacation, and I'm working on my campaign," he said.

Ettl said he did not know "when or if" he would be back on the air, though he confirmed he's still employed by Gap West Broadcasting. Gap West owns KIT 1280 AM, the station that airs Ettl's morning news-talk show.

"At this point I don't have any detailed information to give you," Ettl said.

The station's manager, David Roederer, did not return a call Monday seeking comment for this story.

* Yakima Herald-Republic staff writer Chris Bristol contributed to this report.

* Pat Muir can be reached at (509) 577-7693 or pmuir@yakimaherald.com.