SEOBLOGREEN - Trouble is brewing in Washington State politics. It is a classic tale of money and trust. This time, the drama involves a Democrat turning against a fellow Democrat. The stakes are high: $30,000 in campaign funds.
The person under fire is State Representative Tarra Simmons. She is a prominent figure. Her story is one of redemption. She became the first formerly incarcerated person elected to the state legislature. Now, her own party is challenging her actions.
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The $30,000 Question: Where Did the Money Go?
The complaint was filed by the Kitsap County Democrats. Val Torrens, the chair of the 23rd Legislative District Democrats, led the charge. The target is Simmons' use of her surplus campaign funds. Specifically, $30,000.
Simmons made two large donations. Each was for $15,000. They were transferred in the summer of 2025. The recipient was an organization called Better Minds Better Communities.
This group is based in Nevada. That is already a red flag. Historically, Simmons' surplus funds went to Washington-based nonprofits. They were usually smaller amounts. This out-of-state transfer broke that pattern.
The group receiving the money looks suspicious. Better Minds Better Communities has no active website. It has not filed annual tax reports with the IRS since 2021. This lack of transparency is central to the complaint. It raises serious questions about the donation's purpose.
The Las Vegas Connection
The plot thickens with a personal connection. Public records link the nonprofit to Jovan Jackson. Jackson is a Democratic assembly member in the Nevada Legislature. Like Simmons, he is also the first formerly incarcerated lawmaker in his state.
The complaint details Facebook posts. These posts show Simmons and Jackson together. The photos were taken during various trips to Las Vegas. One trip occurred in May 2025. This timeline is critical. The first $15,000 payment followed shortly after this travel.
The complainants are not calling it a direct personal gift. Not yet. But the timing and the relationship are highly suggestive. Torrens' complaint argues that the public deserves to know the justification. They demand clarity on whether the spending complied with state rules for surplus funds.
A Pattern of Ethics Scrutiny
This is not the first time Rep. Simmons has faced ethics issues. She has a history. The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) received the current 13-page complaint on January 12. PDC has a 90-day window to review it.
Two other ethics complaints are currently pending against her. One involves a separate $10,000 donation to another nonprofit. Another alleges she used her legislative position to intimidate a potential political challenger. This paints a picture of a lawmaker struggling with scrutiny.
In 2023, Simmons was actually found in violation of the state's Ethics Act. The offense was accepting a $1,000 speaking fee. This was for discussing her legislative work. That ruling established a precedent of ethical missteps.
House Speaker Laurie Jinkins is waiting for the Legislative Ethics Board's process. She is letting the system work. But the internal friction is visible. Kitsap Democrats are questioning their own representative.
The core issue is transparency. Political donations come with strings. They are for the public good, as defined by campaign finance rules. When $30,000 leaves the state for a group with no public footprint, voters get nervous.
The PDC review will be the next major step. It will determine if the $30,000 was a legitimate donation. Or if it was an improper use of public-interest funds. The public waits. The political world watches. The simple question remains: Why Nevada?
Source: kitsapsun.com
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