Tarra SimmonsTarra Simmons

Rep. Tarra Simmons is running for re-election to Position 1 in the 23rd Legislative District. Simmons is the former director of Civil Survival, a nonprofit organization that helps formerly incarcerated people reintegrate and become advocates in their communities. Simmons made history as the first formerly incarcerated person to graduate from law school and be admitted to the Washington State Bar Association. Simmons serves in House leadership as deputy speaker pro tempore. Simmons remains a progressive advocate in the Legislature. Her first piece of legislation in 2021 established automatic voter registration for formerly incarcerated people. Throughout her tenure, she has worked to expand civil rights, improve healthcare, and strengthen workers' rights. In 2024, she was the prime sponsor of successful legislation that strengthened funding for the Washington Physician Health Program, supporting mental health resources for healthcare professionals and improving patient access to care. Simmons has also helped secure funding for local projects, including supportive housing with on-site services at St. Vincent de Paul in Bremerton and the Bainbridge Island Senior Community Center. Her votes on labor protections and environmental reforms have also earned her 100% scores from the Washington State Labor Council and Washington Conservation Action. Recently, Simmons has been the subject of an ethics complaint alleging misuse of campaign funds and violations of conflict-of-interest laws. The complaints allege that Simmons used funds from her prior campaigns to assist two nonprofits in Washington state, one of which was her employer. Simmons has denied any wrongdoing and is challenging the findings of the state's Legislative Ethics Board. She also faced a separate ethics complaint over alleged campaign finance violations related to sending campaign funds to a Nevada nonprofit. In August 2026, Simmons was ultimately fined a total of $15,000 Tarra Simmons is the most progressive candidate in this race, but her ethics complaints are cause for some concern. We hope these experiences inform her approach moving forward, particularly in her use of public resources. We recommend re-electing Tarra Simmons to continue representing the 23rd Legislative District in Position 1.