WA lawmaker fights ethics charges in rare public hearing

By: Jerry Cornfield

Outlets: Washington State Standard

Published: June 10, 2026

Words: 977

Last Updated: 1 day, 19 hours ago

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Washington state Rep. Tarra Simmons got her long-sought opportunity Tuesday to publicly defend herself against an array of ethics charges.

The Bremerton Democrat spent nearly three hours in front of a state panel, rebutting allegations that she improperly used her legislative position to help a friend get a job and to steer funding to a nonprofit where she worked.

Simmons insisted she’s been hypervigilant about complying with the rules since arriving in the …

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