{"id":91,"date":"2020-03-19T20:38:31","date_gmt":"2020-03-19T20:38:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/?page_id=91"},"modified":"2026-08-23T12:45:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-23T19:45:34","slug":"news","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/news\/","title":{"rendered":"In The News"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"91\" class=\"elementor elementor-91\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a4682b0 elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a4682b0\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-16 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b811e00\" data-id=\"b811e00\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-89407eb elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"89407eb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.electtarrasimmons.com\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"350\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TS-Dark-Banner-1.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2682\" alt=\"Tarra Simmons for State Rep Banner with image of Tarra\" srcset=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TS-Dark-Banner-1.png 350w, http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TS-Dark-Banner-1-300x86.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c85034e\" data-id=\"c85034e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91a028d elementor-widget-mobile__width-initial elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-ekit-nav-menu\" data-id=\"91a028d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"ekit-nav-menu.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<nav class=\"ekit-wid-con ekit_menu_responsive_tablet\"\n\t\t\tdata-hamburger-icon=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-hamburger-icon-type=\"icon\"\n\t\t\tdata-responsive-breakpoint=\"1024\"\n\t\t\tdata-close-on-anchor=\"no\">\n\t\t\t            <button class=\"elementskit-menu-hamburger elementskit-menu-toggler\"  type=\"button\" aria-label=\"hamburger-icon\">\n                                    <span class=\"elementskit-menu-hamburger-icon\"><\/span><span class=\"elementskit-menu-hamburger-icon\"><\/span><span class=\"elementskit-menu-hamburger-icon\"><\/span>\n                            <\/button>\n            <div id=\"ekit-megamenu-header-navigation\" class=\"elementskit-menu-container elementskit-menu-offcanvas-elements elementskit-navbar-nav-default ekit-nav-menu-one-page-no ekit-nav-dropdown-hover\"><ul id=\"menu-header-navigation\" class=\"elementskit-navbar-nav elementskit-menu-po-center submenu-click-on-icon\"><li id=\"menu-item-2249\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-2249 nav-item elementskit-dropdown-has relative_position elementskit-dropdown-menu-default_width elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/meet-tarra\/\" class=\"ekit-menu-nav-link ekit-menu-dropdown-toggle\">Meet Tarra<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"icon icon-down-arrow1 elementskit-submenu-indicator\"><\/i><\/a>\n<ul class=\"elementskit-dropdown elementskit-submenu-panel\">\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-1021\" class=\"home menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1021 nav-item elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/home\/\" class=\"home dropdown-item\">Leadership &#038; Impact<\/a>\t<li id=\"menu-item-2169\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2169 nav-item elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/issues\/\" class=\" dropdown-item\">Priorities<\/a><\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-2162\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2162 nav-item elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/endorsements\/\" class=\"ekit-menu-nav-link\">Endorsements<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-2946\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2946 nav-item elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/my-calendar\/\" class=\"ekit-menu-nav-link\">Events<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-2163\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2163 nav-item elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/join-the-team\/\" class=\"ekit-menu-nav-link\">Volunteer<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-2952\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-2952 nav-item elementskit-dropdown-has relative_position elementskit-dropdown-menu-default_width elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/updates\/\" class=\"ekit-menu-nav-link ekit-menu-dropdown-toggle\">Updates<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"icon icon-down-arrow1 elementskit-submenu-indicator\"><\/i><\/a>\n<ul class=\"elementskit-dropdown elementskit-submenu-panel\">\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-2953\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2953 nav-item elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/news\/\" class=\" dropdown-item\">In The News<\/a>\t<li id=\"menu-item-2167\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2167 nav-item elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/press-releases\/\" class=\" dropdown-item\">Press Releases<\/a>\t<li id=\"menu-item-2945\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-2945 nav-item elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"https:\/\/secure.ngpvan.com\/cjIJuPr64Eai4tiz5D5KLw2\" class=\" dropdown-item\">Subscribe<\/a><\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul><div class=\"elementskit-nav-identity-panel\"><button class=\"elementskit-menu-close elementskit-menu-toggler\" type=\"button\">X<\/button><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementskit-menu-overlay elementskit-menu-offcanvas-elements elementskit-menu-toggler ekit-nav-menu--overlay\"><\/div>        <\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-16 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3634927\" data-id=\"3634927\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-12c921b elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-shape-rounded elementor-grid-0 e-grid-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-social-icons\" data-id=\"12c921b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"social-icons.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-social-icons-wrapper elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon elementor-social-icon elementor-social-icon-facebook elementor-animation-grow elementor-repeater-item-485b355\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Facebook<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fab fa-facebook\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon elementor-social-icon elementor-social-icon-instagram elementor-animation-grow elementor-repeater-item-3164ca7\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Instagram<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fab fa-instagram\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon elementor-social-icon elementor-social-icon-youtube elementor-animation-grow elementor-repeater-item-e19f052\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Youtube<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fab fa-youtube\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon elementor-social-icon elementor-social-icon-envelope elementor-animation-grow elementor-repeater-item-4a271bf\" href=\"https:\/\/secure.ngpvan.com\/li7c4l6vMkKinuKyU9d2Gw2\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Envelope<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-envelope\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a30ced5 elementor-align-center elementor-tablet-align-center elementor-widget-tablet__width-initial elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"a30ced5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-grow\" href=\"https:\/\/secure.ngpvan.com\/D2Thj5JwF0mUWUeQlu7yYA2\" id=\"header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Donate<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e454f3f elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e454f3f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-16 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7b7f8cb\" data-id=\"7b7f8cb\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b151223 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b151223\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.electtarrasimmons.com\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"350\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TS-Dark-Banner-1.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2682\" alt=\"Tarra Simmons for State Rep Banner with image of Tarra\" srcset=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TS-Dark-Banner-1.png 350w, http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TS-Dark-Banner-1-300x86.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-827d535\" data-id=\"827d535\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba89fc1 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-shape-rounded elementor-grid-0 e-grid-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-social-icons\" data-id=\"ba89fc1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"social-icons.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-social-icons-wrapper elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon elementor-social-icon elementor-social-icon-facebook elementor-animation-grow elementor-repeater-item-485b355\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Facebook<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fab fa-facebook\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon elementor-social-icon elementor-social-icon-instagram elementor-animation-grow elementor-repeater-item-3164ca7\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Instagram<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fab fa-instagram\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon elementor-social-icon elementor-social-icon-youtube elementor-animation-grow elementor-repeater-item-e19f052\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Youtube<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fab fa-youtube\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon elementor-social-icon elementor-social-icon-envelope elementor-animation-grow elementor-repeater-item-4a271bf\" href=\"https:\/\/secure.ngpvan.com\/li7c4l6vMkKinuKyU9d2Gw2\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Envelope<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-envelope\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-060ea25 elementor-align-center elementor-tablet-align-center elementor-widget-tablet__width-initial elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"060ea25\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-grow\" href=\"https:\/\/secure.ngpvan.com\/D2Thj5JwF0mUWUeQlu7yYA2\" id=\"header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Donate<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-16 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2118cba\" data-id=\"2118cba\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eda4473 elementor-widget-mobile__width-initial elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-ekit-nav-menu\" data-id=\"eda4473\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"ekit-nav-menu.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<nav class=\"ekit-wid-con ekit_menu_responsive_tablet\"\n\t\t\tdata-hamburger-icon=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-hamburger-icon-type=\"icon\"\n\t\t\tdata-responsive-breakpoint=\"1024\"\n\t\t\tdata-close-on-anchor=\"no\">\n\t\t\t            <button class=\"elementskit-menu-hamburger elementskit-menu-toggler\"  type=\"button\" aria-label=\"hamburger-icon\">\n                                    <span class=\"elementskit-menu-hamburger-icon\"><\/span><span class=\"elementskit-menu-hamburger-icon\"><\/span><span class=\"elementskit-menu-hamburger-icon\"><\/span>\n                            <\/button>\n            <div id=\"ekit-megamenu-header-navigation\" class=\"elementskit-menu-container elementskit-menu-offcanvas-elements elementskit-navbar-nav-default ekit-nav-menu-one-page-no ekit-nav-dropdown-hover\"><ul id=\"menu-header-navigation-1\" class=\"elementskit-navbar-nav elementskit-menu-po-center submenu-click-on-icon\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-2249 nav-item elementskit-dropdown-has relative_position elementskit-dropdown-menu-default_width elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/meet-tarra\/\" class=\"ekit-menu-nav-link ekit-menu-dropdown-toggle\">Meet Tarra<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"icon icon-down-arrow1 elementskit-submenu-indicator\"><\/i><\/a>\n<ul class=\"elementskit-dropdown elementskit-submenu-panel\">\n\t<li class=\"home menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1021 nav-item elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/home\/\" class=\"home dropdown-item\">Leadership &#038; Impact<\/a>\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2169 nav-item elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/issues\/\" class=\" dropdown-item\">Priorities<\/a><\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2162 nav-item elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/endorsements\/\" class=\"ekit-menu-nav-link\">Endorsements<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2946 nav-item elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/my-calendar\/\" class=\"ekit-menu-nav-link\">Events<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2163 nav-item elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/join-the-team\/\" class=\"ekit-menu-nav-link\">Volunteer<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-2952 nav-item elementskit-dropdown-has relative_position elementskit-dropdown-menu-default_width elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/updates\/\" class=\"ekit-menu-nav-link ekit-menu-dropdown-toggle\">Updates<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"icon icon-down-arrow1 elementskit-submenu-indicator\"><\/i><\/a>\n<ul class=\"elementskit-dropdown elementskit-submenu-panel\">\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2953 nav-item elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/news\/\" class=\" dropdown-item\">In The News<\/a>\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2167 nav-item elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/press-releases\/\" class=\" dropdown-item\">Press Releases<\/a>\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-2945 nav-item elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"https:\/\/secure.ngpvan.com\/cjIJuPr64Eai4tiz5D5KLw2\" class=\" dropdown-item\">Subscribe<\/a><\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul><div class=\"elementskit-nav-identity-panel\"><button class=\"elementskit-menu-close elementskit-menu-toggler\" type=\"button\">X<\/button><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementskit-menu-overlay elementskit-menu-offcanvas-elements elementskit-menu-toggler ekit-nav-menu--overlay\"><\/div>        <\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5c522df elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5c522df\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-bbb32ae\" data-id=\"bbb32ae\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5db1433 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5db1433\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.electtarrasimmons.com\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"350\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TS-Dark-Banner-1.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2682\" alt=\"Tarra Simmons for State Rep Banner with image of Tarra\" srcset=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TS-Dark-Banner-1.png 350w, http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TS-Dark-Banner-1-300x86.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-30c0daa\" data-id=\"30c0daa\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b1a4b2 elementor-align-center elementor-tablet-align-center elementor-widget-tablet__width-initial elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"7b1a4b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-grow\" href=\"https:\/\/secure.ngpvan.com\/D2Thj5JwF0mUWUeQlu7yYA2\" id=\"header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Donate<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a0025dd elementor-widget-mobile__width-initial elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-ekit-nav-menu\" data-id=\"a0025dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"ekit-nav-menu.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<nav class=\"ekit-wid-con ekit_menu_responsive_tablet\"\n\t\t\tdata-hamburger-icon=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-hamburger-icon-type=\"icon\"\n\t\t\tdata-responsive-breakpoint=\"1024\"\n\t\t\tdata-close-on-anchor=\"no\">\n\t\t\t            <button class=\"elementskit-menu-hamburger elementskit-menu-toggler\"  type=\"button\" aria-label=\"hamburger-icon\">\n                                    <span class=\"elementskit-menu-hamburger-icon\"><\/span><span class=\"elementskit-menu-hamburger-icon\"><\/span><span class=\"elementskit-menu-hamburger-icon\"><\/span>\n                            <\/button>\n            <div id=\"ekit-megamenu-header-navigation\" class=\"elementskit-menu-container elementskit-menu-offcanvas-elements elementskit-navbar-nav-default ekit-nav-menu-one-page-no ekit-nav-dropdown-hover\"><ul id=\"menu-header-navigation-2\" class=\"elementskit-navbar-nav elementskit-menu-po-center submenu-click-on-icon\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-2249 nav-item elementskit-dropdown-has relative_position elementskit-dropdown-menu-default_width elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/meet-tarra\/\" class=\"ekit-menu-nav-link ekit-menu-dropdown-toggle\">Meet Tarra<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"icon icon-down-arrow1 elementskit-submenu-indicator\"><\/i><\/a>\n<ul class=\"elementskit-dropdown elementskit-submenu-panel\">\n\t<li class=\"home menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1021 nav-item elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/home\/\" class=\"home dropdown-item\">Leadership &#038; Impact<\/a>\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2169 nav-item elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/issues\/\" class=\" dropdown-item\">Priorities<\/a><\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2162 nav-item elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/endorsements\/\" class=\"ekit-menu-nav-link\">Endorsements<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2946 nav-item elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/my-calendar\/\" class=\"ekit-menu-nav-link\">Events<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2163 nav-item elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/join-the-team\/\" class=\"ekit-menu-nav-link\">Volunteer<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-2952 nav-item elementskit-dropdown-has relative_position elementskit-dropdown-menu-default_width elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/updates\/\" class=\"ekit-menu-nav-link ekit-menu-dropdown-toggle\">Updates<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"icon icon-down-arrow1 elementskit-submenu-indicator\"><\/i><\/a>\n<ul class=\"elementskit-dropdown elementskit-submenu-panel\">\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2953 nav-item elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/news\/\" class=\" dropdown-item\">In The News<\/a>\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2167 nav-item elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/press-releases\/\" class=\" dropdown-item\">Press Releases<\/a>\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-2945 nav-item elementskit-mobile-builder-content\" data-vertical-menu=750px><a href=\"https:\/\/secure.ngpvan.com\/cjIJuPr64Eai4tiz5D5KLw2\" class=\" dropdown-item\">Subscribe<\/a><\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul><div class=\"elementskit-nav-identity-panel\"><button class=\"elementskit-menu-close elementskit-menu-toggler\" type=\"button\">X<\/button><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementskit-menu-overlay elementskit-menu-offcanvas-elements elementskit-menu-toggler ekit-nav-menu--overlay\"><\/div>        <\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-449c583d elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"449c583d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5e170b2f\" data-id=\"5e170b2f\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65a67d0b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"65a67d0b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">In The News<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e00dc82 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2e00dc82\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-start=\"309\" data-end=\"628\"><strong data-start=\"309\" data-end=\"397\">Tarra\u2019s work has been recognized by news organizations across Washington and beyond.<\/strong><\/p><p data-start=\"309\" data-end=\"628\">\u00a0<\/p><p>From her historic path to the Legislature to her work on healthcare, public safety, transportation, reentry, and opportunity, Tarra continues to bring the voices and lived experiences of her community into the public conversation.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p data-start=\"630\" data-end=\"817\">The coverage below highlights the people, issues, and work that have shaped Tarra\u2019s leadership\u2014and the impact she continues to make in the 23rd Legislative District and across Washington.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4f423f1\" data-id=\"4f423f1\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b78d4cb elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"5b78d4cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/qLJFdReQGe8?si=M58uOqKltrPYKN5l&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2f7b0ac elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2f7b0ac\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3225837\" data-id=\"3225837\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-998b56f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"998b56f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Recent Articles<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa43df5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-elementskit-accordion\" data-id=\"aa43df5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"elementskit-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ekit-wid-con\" >\n        <div class=\"elementskit-accordion accoedion-primary\" id=\"accordion-6a965828265ce\">\n\n            \n                <div class=\"elementskit-card active\">\n                    <div class=\"elementskit-card-header\" id=\"primaryHeading-0-aa43df5\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"3\">\n                        <a href=\"#collapse-b4f43846a965828265ce\" class=\"ekit-accordion--toggler elementskit-btn-link collapsed\" role=\"button\" data-ekit-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#Collapse-b4f43846a965828265ce\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"Collapse-b4f43846a965828265ce\">\n                            \n                            <span class=\"ekit-accordion-title\">Formerly Incarcerated Women Are Pushing Systemic Change in Elected Office  | Truthout (March 2026)<\/span>\n\n                            \n                                <div class=\"ekit_accordion_icon_group\">\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_normal_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Normal Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-down-arrow1\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_active_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Active Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-up-arrow\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n\n                            \n                                                    <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div id=\"Collapse-b4f43846a965828265ce\" class=\" show collapse\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"primaryHeading-0-aa43df5\" data-parent=\"#accordion-6a965828265ce\">\n\n                        <div class=\"elementskit-card-body ekit-accordion--content\">\n                            <div class=\"headline\">Formerly Incarcerated Women Are Pushing Systemic Change in Elected Office<\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">From voting rights to wages to housing assistance, these officials advocate for systemic change to reduce incarceration.Simmons is among a handful of formerly incarcerated women elected to public office. All are open about their past convictions and incarceration, and have used those experiences to challenge longstanding \u201ctough-on-crime\u201d policies as well as bolster social resources that best prevent social violence, harm, and poverty.<\/div><div>\u00a0<\/div><p><a href=\"https:\/\/truthout.org\/articles\/formerly-incarcerated-women-are-pushing-systemic-change-in-elected-office\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p>                        <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n                <\/div><!-- .elementskit-card END -->\n\n                \n                <div class=\"elementskit-card \">\n                    <div class=\"elementskit-card-header\" id=\"primaryHeading-1-aa43df5\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"3\">\n                        <a href=\"#collapse-41a8ae16a965828265ce\" class=\"ekit-accordion--toggler elementskit-btn-link collapsed\" role=\"button\" data-ekit-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#Collapse-41a8ae16a965828265ce\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"Collapse-41a8ae16a965828265ce\">\n                            \n                            <span class=\"ekit-accordion-title\">Day In The Life Of A Lawyer And Legislator | Roadtrip Nation (April 2026)<\/span>\n\n                            \n                                <div class=\"ekit_accordion_icon_group\">\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_normal_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Normal Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-down-arrow1\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_active_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Active Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-up-arrow\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n\n                            \n                                                    <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div id=\"Collapse-41a8ae16a965828265ce\" class=\" collapse\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"primaryHeading-1-aa43df5\" data-parent=\"#accordion-6a965828265ce\">\n\n                        <div class=\"elementskit-card-body ekit-accordion--content\">\n                            <p>My focus is to pass laws that restore rights, expand access to education, and reduce harm in the legal system. I\u2019ve worked on multiple bills, including ones to expand education in prisons, vacate records, and restore voting and firearm rights. I also help other lawmakers understand prison education policy by prepping advocates and building coalitions. I work hard to represent people like me, who were once told they didn\u2019t belong in rooms like these.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/roadtripnation.com\/leader\/tarra-simmons?fbclid=IwVERDUAQ6zTlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR5Cr9mTFOLAgM4Tm_q0WahC38OiaRU5r-HmxWN_QUyPEXPm2OLB7yJBcAp0Pg_aem_w7FkY72UT06EaHHDH54VSA\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p>                        <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n                <\/div><!-- .elementskit-card END -->\n\n                \n                <div class=\"elementskit-card \">\n                    <div class=\"elementskit-card-header\" id=\"primaryHeading-2-aa43df5\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"3\">\n                        <a href=\"#collapse-d1deea66a965828265ce\" class=\"ekit-accordion--toggler elementskit-btn-link collapsed\" role=\"button\" data-ekit-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#Collapse-d1deea66a965828265ce\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"Collapse-d1deea66a965828265ce\">\n                            \n                            <span class=\"ekit-accordion-title\">House Democrats Push to Strip Corporate Break from \u2018Millionaires Tax\u2019 | The Seattle Times (February 2026)<\/span>\n\n                            \n                                <div class=\"ekit_accordion_icon_group\">\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_normal_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Normal Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-down-arrow1\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_active_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Active Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-up-arrow\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n\n                            \n                                                    <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div id=\"Collapse-d1deea66a965828265ce\" class=\" collapse\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"primaryHeading-2-aa43df5\" data-parent=\"#accordion-6a965828265ce\">\n\n                        <div class=\"elementskit-card-body ekit-accordion--content\">\n                            <div class=\"excerpt\">With lawmakers facing mounting budget pressures and potential cuts to child care and K-12 education, 13 House Democrats urged the finance committee to strip a corporate tax break from the proposed \u201cmillionaires tax\u201d before advancing the bill. Rep. Tarra Simmons was among the co-signers of the letter supporting the amendment.<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.seattletimes.com\/seattle-news\/politics\/house-democrats-push-to-strip-corporate-break-from-millionaires-tax\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p>                        <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n                <\/div><!-- .elementskit-card END -->\n\n                \n                <div class=\"elementskit-card \">\n                    <div class=\"elementskit-card-header\" id=\"primaryHeading-3-aa43df5\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"3\">\n                        <a href=\"#collapse-2bdeba66a965828265ce\" class=\"ekit-accordion--toggler elementskit-btn-link collapsed\" role=\"button\" data-ekit-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#Collapse-2bdeba66a965828265ce\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"Collapse-2bdeba66a965828265ce\">\n                            \n                            <span class=\"ekit-accordion-title\">Simmons Offers Personal Commitment and Legislative Solutions | Kitsap Sun (February 2026)<\/span>\n\n                            \n                                <div class=\"ekit_accordion_icon_group\">\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_normal_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Normal Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-down-arrow1\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_active_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Active Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-up-arrow\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n\n                            \n                                                    <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div id=\"Collapse-2bdeba66a965828265ce\" class=\" collapse\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"primaryHeading-3-aa43df5\" data-parent=\"#accordion-6a965828265ce\">\n\n                        <div class=\"elementskit-card-body ekit-accordion--content\">\n                            <div class=\"excerpt\">Former State Rep. Sara Eubank of Bremerton praised Simmons: \u201cWhat stands out most is her humanity. She offers not only legislative solutions, but her time, guidance, and connections to local resources. That kind of steady, personal commitment goes far beyond what is required of a part-time citizen legislator.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kitsapsun.com\/story\/opinion\/readers\/2026\/02\/23\/simmons-offers-personal-commitment-and-legislative-solutions-letters\/88746717007\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p>                        <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n                <\/div><!-- .elementskit-card END -->\n\n                \n                <div class=\"elementskit-card \">\n                    <div class=\"elementskit-card-header\" id=\"primaryHeading-4-aa43df5\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"3\">\n                        <a href=\"#collapse-c67533d6a965828265ce\" class=\"ekit-accordion--toggler elementskit-btn-link collapsed\" role=\"button\" data-ekit-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#Collapse-c67533d6a965828265ce\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"Collapse-c67533d6a965828265ce\">\n                            \n                            <span class=\"ekit-accordion-title\">Setting Priorities for the 2026 WA Legislative Session | Kitsap Sun (January 2026)<\/span>\n\n                            \n                                <div class=\"ekit_accordion_icon_group\">\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_normal_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Normal Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-down-arrow1\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_active_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Active Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-up-arrow\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n\n                            \n                                                    <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div id=\"Collapse-c67533d6a965828265ce\" class=\" collapse\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"primaryHeading-4-aa43df5\" data-parent=\"#accordion-6a965828265ce\">\n\n                        <div class=\"elementskit-card-body ekit-accordion--content\">\n                            <div class=\"excerpt\">Rep. Tarra Simmons outlines her priorities heading into the 2026 legislative session, sharing her perspective on the key issues facing Kitsap residents and Washington state.<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kitsapsun.com\/story\/opinion\/columnists\/2026\/01\/13\/setting-priorities-for-the-2026-wa-legislative-session-opinion\/88054154007\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p>                        <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n                <\/div><!-- .elementskit-card END -->\n\n                \n                <div class=\"elementskit-card \">\n                    <div class=\"elementskit-card-header\" id=\"primaryHeading-5-aa43df5\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"3\">\n                        <a href=\"#collapse-bb3c6a06a965828265ce\" class=\"ekit-accordion--toggler elementskit-btn-link collapsed\" role=\"button\" data-ekit-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#Collapse-bb3c6a06a965828265ce\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"Collapse-bb3c6a06a965828265ce\">\n                            \n                            <span class=\"ekit-accordion-title\">Legislation Would Give Prisoners Serving Longer Sentences a Path to Release | Publicola (January 2026)<\/span>\n\n                            \n                                <div class=\"ekit_accordion_icon_group\">\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_normal_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Normal Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-down-arrow1\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_active_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Active Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-up-arrow\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n\n                            \n                                                    <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div id=\"Collapse-bb3c6a06a965828265ce\" class=\" collapse\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"primaryHeading-5-aa43df5\" data-parent=\"#accordion-6a965828265ce\">\n\n                        <div class=\"elementskit-card-body ekit-accordion--content\">\n                            <div class=\"excerpt\">Simmons, the first formerly incarcerated person elected to the legislature, addressed victims\u2019 advocates\u2019 concerns about early release: \u201cI empathize with that position. I was a survivor of crime long before I was incarcerated.\u201d She argued that keeping rehabilitated individuals incarcerated for pure punishment offers neither hope nor incentive to engage in rehabilitation.<\/div><div>\u00a0<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/publicola.com\/2026\/01\/13\/legislation-would-give-prisoners-serving-long-sentences-a-path-to\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p>                        <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n                <\/div><!-- .elementskit-card END -->\n\n                                        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-65bdd23 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"65bdd23\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-38fd1b6\" data-id=\"38fd1b6\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d3b197 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0d3b197\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Previous Pieces<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b46214 elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"1b46214\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2851\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2851\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">2025<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2851\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2851\"><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>Kitsap Sun (November 20, 2025)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>Simmons\u2019 Dedication Isn\u2019t in Question<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">Kitsap County Prosecutor Chad Enright wrote: \u201cIn this moment of budget shortfalls, lawmakers have the unenviable task of allocating scant resources. Scrutinizing legal aid and other important program funding is not obstruction; it is due diligence. Rep. Simmons is rightly focused on stabilizing our fragile safety net as access to food, housing, and healthcare is on the precipice.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kitsapsun.com\/story\/opinion\/readers\/2025\/11\/20\/simmons-dedication-isnt-in-question-letters\/87343733007\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>Kitsap Sun (April 15, 2025)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>WA Bill Requires Insurance Coverage of Medically Necessary Mental Health Care<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">Rep. Tarra Simmons, the primary sponsor of HB 1432, pushed to close a loophole allowing insurance companies to deny critical mental health and substance use disorder care. The bill requires private insurers to cover services a patient\u2019s doctor deems medically necessary, using the same transparent, evidence-based standards applied to other medical care.<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kitsapsun.com\/story\/news\/2025\/04\/15\/wa-bill-requires-insurance-coverage-of-medically-necessary-mental-health-care\/83092315007\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2852\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2852\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">2024<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2852\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2852\"><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>Washington State Standard (May 31, 2024)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>Lawmakers Look at Bill to Allow Resentencing of People Serving Long Prison Terms<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">Rep. Tarra Simmons sponsored the Judicial Discretion Act, which would allow people serving long prison sentences to petition the court for resentencing if they can demonstrate substantial rehabilitation and minimal risk of reoffense. Simmons, the first formerly incarcerated lawmaker in Washington, called it an opportunity for judges to take a second look at sentences in the interest of justice.<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/washingtonstatestandard.com\/2024\/05\/31\/lawmakers-look-at-bill-to-allow-resentencing-of-people-serving-long-prison-terms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><\/div><div>\u00a0<\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>The Seattle Times (March 6, 2024)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>Bill that Would Up Oversight of WA Hospital Consolidations Dies<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">Washington\u2019s Keep Our Care Act, the House companion bill sponsored by Rep. Tarra Simmons, failed to advance before the legislative deadline. The bill would have expanded the attorney general\u2019s authority to review hospital mergers and acquisitions to protect patient access to reproductive, gender-affirming, and end-of-life care. Simmons, a former registered nurse, called the issue \u201cvery personal\u201d given the impact of consolidations on Kitsap Peninsula communities.<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.seattletimes.com\/seattle-news\/health\/bill-that-would-up-oversight-of-wa-hospital-consolidations-dies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><div class=\"news-item\"><div>\u00a0<\/div><div class=\"meta\"><em>Post Alley Seattle (January 10, 2024)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>Two State Reps Share Troubled Pasts<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">\u201cThe first time I thought about maybe I can actually serve and help make a difference was hearing Tarra make a speech on the Capitol steps on Martin Luther King Day in 2020,\u201d says Nance. \u201cSeeing her share her story so openly and honestly was inspiring and really beautiful. It made me realize that maybe the challenges I\u2019ve faced and overcome could actually be a source of great strength instead of shame, and my superpower.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.postalley.org\/2024\/01\/10\/two-state-reps-share-troubled-pasts\/?fbclid=IwdGRjcARFWz1jbGNrBEVbOGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHmKRdU9f0WVG9zYLqtMNz5AqqbB0CEgkdHLfJggxSW6Ooyk7b0M2kAP7ZkGO_aem_X-4T2x_PSAvvzNkTSN2lhQ\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2853\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2853\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">2023<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2853\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2853\"><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>PBS NewsHour (November 6, 2023)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>Formerly Incarcerated Lawmaker Reflects on Breaking Down Barriers After Prison<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">PBS NewsHour profiled Rep. Tarra Simmons as part of its \u201cSearching for Justice\u201d series, tracing her journey from teen mother and convicted felon to lawyer and Washington state\u2019s first formerly incarcerated legislator. The segment highlighted her work eliminating barriers for people returning from prison and her continued advocacy through Civil Survival, the nonprofit she co-founded.<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/newshour\/show\/formerly-incarcerated-lawmaker-reflects-on-breaking-down-barriers-after-prison\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>Washington State Standard\u00a0 (June 12, 2023)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>New Washington Law Eliminates LFO Fines and Fees Debt<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">Rep. Tarra Simmons championed a new law eliminating mandatory, non-restitution court fines and fees for adults experiencing poverty and all youth \u2014 part of her years-long effort to reform Washington\u2019s legal financial obligations system. Advocates noted the law breaks the debt cycle that has long prevented formerly incarcerated people from vacating convictions, finding stable work, and rebuilding their lives.<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/washingtonstatestandard.com\/2023\/06\/12\/new-washington-law-eliminates-lfo-fines-and-fees-debt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2854\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2854\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">2022<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2854\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2854\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>The Center Square (July 1, 2022)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>Washington Mandates More Hospital Charity Care<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">A bill co-sponsored by Rep. Tarra Simmons expanded Washington\u2019s Charity Care Act, extending discounted hospital care to approximately one million additional residents and mandating zero out-of-pocket costs for another million. Simmons said the update would make the state\u2019s healthcare system fairer and more equitable for the four million Washingtonians now eligible for free or reduced hospital costs.<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/washington\/article_2de8a3c2-f98c-11ec-b8ae-77fd90e888ba.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article Here<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2855\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2855\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">2021<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2855\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2855\"><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>The Seattle Times (April 21, 2021)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cFrom Incarceration to the Washington Legislature, Rep. Tarra Simmons Hits Her Stride in First Term in Olympia\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">\u201cBut Simmons\u201a a Bremerton Democrat, lawyer, civil rights activist and freshman state representative\u201a has been a leading figure in the national fight for criminal justice reform for years, breaking barriers in politics and law for people with felonies.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.seattletimes.com\/seattle-news\/politics\/from-incarceration-to-the-washington-legislature-rep-tarra-simmons-hits-her-stride-in-first-term-in-olympia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>Kitsap Sun (April 16, 2021)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cKitsap Mental Health Services Expands Facility in Bremerton for Youth Programs\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">\u201cThose who showed up included KMHS staff members and leadership, as well as state legislators, Sen. Christine Rolfes and State Rep. Tarra Simmons of the 23rd Legislative District, who help secure a $321,000 state budget to fund the construction. The project was Simmons\u2019s first capital budget request after she joined the Legislature in January 2021, she said.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kitsapsun.com\/story\/news\/2022\/04\/16\/kitsap-mental-health-expands-facility-bremerton-youth-programs\/9515790002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>ABC News (April 9, 2021)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cSome States Work to Expand Voting Rights for People with Felony Convictions\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">\u201cSimmons, one of the bill\u2019s sponsors, knows the impact of disenfranchisement first hand. After being \u2018born into generations of addiction and incarceration and poverty and violence,\u2019 Simmons was sentenced to prison in 2011 for selling a small amount of prescription drugs to financially fuel her own drug addiction, which she said resulted from trying to suppress the post-traumatic stress of her childhood.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.go.com\/Politics\/states-work-expand-voting-rights-people-felony-convictions\/story?id=76948779\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>The Appeal (April 8, 2021)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cShe Lost Her Right to Vote Over a Felony. Now This Lawmaker Has Helped Enfranchise Thousands\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">\u201cTarra Simmons became the first formerly incarcerated lawmaker in Washington State\u2019s recent history after she won a seat in the state House in November. Five months later, she is celebrating her first win as a legislator: A bill she sponsored was signed into law yesterday by Governor Jay Inslee, who credited her advocacy. It enables all formerly incarcerated Washingtonians to vote.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/theappeal.org\/politicalreport\/washington-voting-rights-tarra-simmons\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2856\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2856\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">2020 <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2856\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2856\"><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>Business Insider (November 28, 2020)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cInterview: Tarra Simmons, the First Felon Elected to Washington\u2019s State Legislature, Wants to Give Formerly Incarcerated People a Chance\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">\u201cShe led her campaign with her personal story and won both her primary and general election, earning endorsements from Rep. Pramila Jayapal and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/interview-tarra-simmons-first-formerly-incarcerated-wa-state-rep-2020-11\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>The Appeal (November 4, 2020)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cTarra Simmons Becomes First Person Formerly Convicted of a Felony Elected to Washington State Legislature\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">\u201cIf we create thriving and healthy communities, where people have their needs met and where if they have an issue they have someone to talk to about it and have support, I think we can really reduce crime and our reliance on prisons,\u201d Simmons told The Appeal in October.<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/theappeal.org\/tarra-simmons-washington-state-legislature\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>The Washington Post (November 02, 2020)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cShe Is a Former Addict and Prisoner. This Week She Was Elected to the Washington State House\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">\u201cSimmons said she decided to run for public office as a \u2018second chance\u2019 candidate focused on prison reform in the hope of helping those with prison records find housing and jobs and start anew with their loved ones.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/lifestyle\/2020\/11\/07\/she-is-former-addict-prisoner-this-week-she-was-elected-state-house-washington\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>The Kitsap Sun (September 18, 2020)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cFormer Democratic Presidential Candidate Pete Buttigieg Weighs In on Kitsap Legislative Race\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">\u201cOne of the things that really attracted me to this campaign is the understanding of the personal stakes of political choices,\u201d he said. \u201cLife experience is going to affect their take on policy. If you\u2019re going to be making healthcare policy it helps to have the experience of a doctor, or a patient, or somebody struggling with an insurance company, let\u2019s say.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kitsapsun.com\/story\/news\/2020\/09\/18\/former-democratic-presidential-candidate-pete-buttigieg-weighs-kitsap-legislative-race\/5828213002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>The Seattle Times (September 17, 2020)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>Washington\u2019s Prisons May Have Hit Pivotal Moment as They Eye Deep Cut in Their Population<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">\u201cI think this is a transformational moment in our overall movement,\u201d said Tarra Simmons, a lawyer and director of the Civil Survival Project, which advocates for previously incarcerated people.<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.seattletimes.com\/seattle-news\/politics\/a-transformational-moment-washingtons-prison-system-backs-reforms-as-it-faces-covid-19-budget-cuts-and-protests-over-racial-injustice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>The Kitsap Sun (August 4, 2020)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cSimmons Will Advance From 23rd District Primary, Will Face Ferguson\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">\u201cSimmons drew 45% of ballots cast to Ferguson\u2019s 34%. Daugs drew about 16% of the votes in the contest. Lou Krukar, a Democrat from Kingston, garnered around 3% of the vote.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kitsapsun.com\/story\/news\/2020\/08\/04\/23rd-legislative-district-washington-primary-2020-election-results\/5575324002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>The Seattle Times (August 4, 2020)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cWashington State Primary Election: How the Day Unfolded, Plus Results of Key Races\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">Tarra Simmons, an attorney and civil rights activist, was leading in the primary race for Kitsap County\u2019s 23rd Legislative District. If elected in the November general election, Simmons would be the first Washington state lawmaker who was previously incarcerated. Simmons had 45% of the vote, followed by Republican April Ferguson at 34%.<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.seattletimes.com\/seattle-news\/its-primary-election-day-in-washington-heres-what-you-need-to-know\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>The Kitsap Sun (July 28, 2020)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cSimmons Will Be an Advocate in Olympia\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">By Jeromy Sullivan, Chairman of the Port Gamble S\u2019Klallam Tribe: \u201cRecent events have taught us that thoughtful, knowledgeable leaders are essential to how we survive and thrive in good times and bad. We believe Tarra Simmons will be a passionate advocate for all and is the best choice to guide our community into the future.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kitsapsun.com\/story\/opinion\/readers\/2020\/07\/28\/simmons-advocate-olympia\/5530603002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>The Kitsap Sun (July 24, 2020)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cSimmons Has the Character to Lead\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">By Kol Medina, Bainbridge Island City Councilperson: \u201cShe is the very definition of a servant leader. A servant leader is a person who leads by finding out what others in her community want and then providing the inspiration, vision, hard work, and relationship-building needed to help people accomplish what they want.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kitsapsun.com\/story\/opinion\/readers\/2020\/07\/24\/simmons-has-character-lead\/5476659002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>The Kitsap Sun (July 07, 2020)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cSimmons Is an Inspiring Choice for Voters\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">\u201cI am supporting Tarra Simmons for our state representative in Washington\u2019s 23rd Legislative District. Tarra\u2019s story is inspiring. She faced challenges post-incarceration. She overcame them by going to law school, then appealed to the State Supreme Court for her right to take the bar exam as a former felon \u201a\u00c4\u00ee and won. This is what second chances should look like.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kitsapsun.com\/story\/opinion\/readers\/2020\/07\/07\/simmons-inspiring-choice-voters\/5390826002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>Mother Jones &amp; The Marshall Project ( June 23, 2020)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cFor Tarra Simmons, Her Time In Prison Isn\u2019t a Liability. It\u2019s a Campaign-Trail Identity\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">\u201cSimmons is one of a new crop of political candidates in 2020 for whom being formerly incarcerated isn\u2019t a disqualifier or a political liability. It\u2019s an identity \u201a\u00c4\u00ee one they say is vital to represent in state capitals and the hallways of Congress, as lawmakers try to overhaul a system that spends billions to lock up mostly Black and brown people.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.motherjones.com\/politics\/2020\/06\/tarra-simmons-kevin-harris-formerly-incarcerated-candidates-public-office\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>Kitsap Sun (June 19, 2020)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cSimmons Understands the Power of a Second Chance\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">Written by Bainbridge Island resident Mark Hoffman: \u201cShe doesn\u2019t just talk about extreme challenges \u201a\u00c4\u00ee she overcomes them. After graduating from law school with honors, she fought the Washington Bar Association all the way to the state Supreme Court, which ruled that she has impeccable moral character and could sit for the bar exam. She then served on two state boards that advocate for criminal justice reform.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kitsapsun.com\/story\/opinion\/readers\/2020\/06\/19\/simmons-understands-power-second-chance\/3222482001\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>Kitsap Sun (June 15, 2020)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cSimmons Is a Candidate Who Stands Against Injustice\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">Written by Andre Henderson: \u201cOf everyone running to represent us, Tarra Simmons has consistently proven her determination to stand with people whose voices are often forgotten. As a mother of two young black men, Tarra has been fighting systemic racism for decades in our community. As a person who overcame generational poverty, she will stand up for the low-income and working families of our community.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kitsapsun.com\/story\/opinion\/readers\/2020\/06\/15\/simmons-candidate-who-stands-against-injustice\/3191960001\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>Kitsap Sun (May 27, 2020)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>Letter to the Editor by Becky Tatman<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">Written by Becky Tatman, this letter to the editor urges the media and critics to look at Tarra\u2019s past in the context of the incredible achievements she has made throughout her life. \u201cShe is a civil rights attorney. She is the co-founder of a non-profit organization, called Civil Survival, and has spent the last several years fighting at the state capitol for the rights of all people, not just for the justice-involved community.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kitsapsun.com\/story\/opinion\/readers\/2020\/05\/27\/simmons-more-than-one-part-her-past\/5267619002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>Kitsap Sun (April 22, 2020)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cSimmons\u2019 Experience Makes Her a Great Candidate\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">\u201cTarra has forged friendships in Olympia on both sides of the aisle while advocating for non-discriminatory legislation. She formed Civil Survival. She worked with Rep. Drew Hansen and others to get the New Hope Act, a bipartisan criminal justice reform proposal, passed in 2019. Retiring Rep. Sherry Appleton has mentored her.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kitsapsun.com\/story\/opinion\/readers\/2020\/05\/22\/simmons-experience-makes-her-great-candidate\/5243352002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>The Stranger (May 19, 2020)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cWashington Races to Watch in 2020\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">Written by Rich Smith, this article lists Tarra\u2019s campaign as one of Washington\u2019s top races to watch. \u201cTarra Simmons, lawyer and director at the Civil Survival Project, has been campaigning hard for that seat since last October. If elected, she\u2019d be the first former inmate to serve in the Washington legislature.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thestranger.com\/slog\/2020\/05\/19\/43704261\/washington-races-to-watch-in-2020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>Bainbridge Review (May 17, 2020)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cI\u2019m Joining the Circle Supporting Simmons\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">Written by Rasham Nassar, Deputy Mayor of Bainbridge Island: \u201cAs a lawyer, civil rights activist, and national-level political advocate, she has acquired the professional qualifications necessary to fulfill the requirements and expectations of this position. Her remarkable achievements are uniquely complimented by a diversity of personal experience, instilling in Tarra rare leadership qualities that are universally admired.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bainbridgereview.com\/letters\/im-joining-the-circle-supporting-simmons-letter-to-the-editor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>Kitsap Sun (May 6, 2020)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cSimmons Speaks for Second Chances\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">Written by Bremerton resident Darold Bivens: \u201cI ask that you pay close attention to Tarra Simmons, a candidate for 23rd District State Representative. Through her professional and social endeavors, Tarra\u2019s proven she\u2019s capable of creating opportunities for disenfranchised groups to become productive leaders of our community.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kitsapsun.com\/story\/opinion\/readers\/2020\/05\/06\/simmons-speaks-second-chances\/5177107002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>Kitsap Sun (April 2020)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cSimmons Has Committed to Helping This Community\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">Written by Bainbridge resident Mary Clare Kersten: \u201cPublic policies that support public education enabled Tarra Simmons to pull herself out of poverty. Recently, she applied her activism and leadership skills to pass The New Hope Act, a piece of public policy that will help formerly incarcerated people reintegrate into society.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kitsapsun.com\/story\/opinion\/readers\/2020\/04\/28\/simmons-has-committed-helping-community\/3044387001\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>The Stranger (February 20, 2020)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cTo the State Legislature: Fulfill the Promise You Made, Pass the Clean Slate Act Today\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">\u201cI am a formerly incarcerated mother who\u2014because of the help and kindness of so many lawyers who fought for me and educated me throughout my incarceration\u2014am now an attorney and advocate helping to pave the way for the successful reentry of my justice-involved brothers and sisters.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thestranger.com\/slog\/2020\/02\/17\/42891210\/to-the-state-legislature-fulfill-the-promise-you-made-pass-the-clean-slate-act-today\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>King5\u00a0 (January 20, 2020)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cHundreds Rally in Olympia to End Mass Incarceration\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">Tarra Simmons, a candidate for the 23rd District seat in this year\u2019s election, was one of the guest speakers on the steps of the capitol building. Simmons\u2019 story made national headlines after she attempted to become a lawyer following her release from prison. Despite graduating near the top of her class, she was initially denied the ability to take the bar exam. A state Supreme Court ultimately ruled in her favor.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.king5.com\/article\/news\/local\/prison-reform-rally-olympia\/281-023e71a9-5615-418a-9771-0dc783f0b813\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>KNKX (January 13, 2020)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cFormerly Incarcerated Advocates Change Their \u2018Label,\u2019 Get Involved in Olympia and Beyond\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">Simmons is the executive director of Civil Survival. She made national headlines when the state Supreme Court ruled in 2018 she could sit for the bar exam despite a previous drug conviction. She is now running for a seat in the state House of Representatives to represent parts of the Kitsap Peninsula and Bainbridge Island. If Simmons wins her election this year, it would be historic. She would be the first formerly incarcerated person to serve in the Washington state Legislature, at least in modern history.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.knkx.org\/post\/formerly-incarcerated-advocates-change-their-label-get-involved-olympia-and-beyond\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2857\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2857\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Earlier<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2857\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2857\"><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>KNKX (October 2019)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cFormer Inmate-Turned-Attorney to Run for Open Statehouse Seat\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">Tarra Simmons, of Bremerton, who in 2017 won a Supreme Court fight to sit for the state bar exam, despite her prior criminal conviction, formally announced her candidacy for the state House on Monday. \u201cI\u2019d like to break this concrete ceiling,\u201d Simmons said in an exclusive interview with the public radio Northwest News Network. \u201cI think we would all fare better if we have diverse people with lived experiences running for all kinds of offices.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.knkx.org\/post\/former-inmate-turned-attorney-run-open-statehouse-seat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>OPB (October 2019)\u00a0<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cTarra Simmons Looks to Become 1st Former Inmate Elected to Washington Legislature\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">\u201cI\u2019d like to break this concrete ceiling,\u201d Simmons said. \u201cI think we would all fare better if we have diverse people with lived experiences running for all kinds of offices.\u201d Simmons co-chaired Washington\u2019s Statewide Reentry Council and played a key role in the bipartisan passage of the New Hope Act during the 2019 legislative session.<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.opb.org\/news\/article\/tarra-simmons-washington-legislature-incarceration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>Yale Law Journal\u00a0 (February 2019)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cTranscending the Stigma of a Criminal Record: A Proposal to Reform State Bar Character and Fitness Evaluations\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">Written by Tarra Simmons herself, this essay is rooted in her experience as a formerly justice-involved individual who overcame numerous barriers to become an attorney and advocate. It argues that bar associations should use a conditional-approval process that informs applicants whether the bar intends to admit them before they begin law school.<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yalelawjournal.org\/forum\/transcending-the-stigma-of-a-criminal-record\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Article Here<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>NW News Network (July 2018)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cVindicated By Supreme Court, Lawyer With Criminal Past Now Finds She\u2019s Campaign Fodder\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">After the Washington Supreme Court overruled the state bar and allowed Simmons to practice law, she became the unlikely subject of a Republican political mailer attacking a Democratic Senate candidate for supporting her. The backlash was swift \u2014 lawmakers from both parties, including a Republican state representative, publicly defended Simmons and condemned the attack.<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nwnewsnetwork.org\/post\/vindicated-supreme-court-lawyer-criminal-past-now-finds-shes-campaign-fodder\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>Seattle Times (June 2018)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201c\u2018Character Is Not Static\u2019: A Soon-to-Be Lawyer Turns Rough Past into Bright Future\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">\u201cAll I needed was someone to give me a seed of hope,\u201d says Simmons, who overcame a history of crime and substance abuse to excel in law school, pass the bar exam, and earn her law license. Arguing before the Supreme Court on her behalf, attorney Shon Hopwood told the justices: \u201cCharacter is not static. People change. And the law should recognize that.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.seattletimes.com\/life\/lifestyle\/character-is-not-static-a-soon-to-be-lawyer-turns-rough-past-into-bright-future\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>Seattle Times (June 2018)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cSeattle Law-School Grad\u2019s Bright Future Outshines Her Rough Past, State High Court Says\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">The Washington Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Simmons could sit for the bar exam, with Justice Mary Yu writing that Simmons \u201cchanged her life to a degree that can only be deemed remarkable.\u201d The court\u2019s opinion concluded: \u201cWe affirm this court\u2019s long history of recognizing that one\u2019s past does not dictate one\u2019s future.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.seattletimes.com\/seattle-news\/seattle-law-school-grads-bright-future-outshines-her-rough-past-state-high-court-says\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>New York Times (January 2018)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cAre Felons Fit to Be Lawyers? Increasingly, the Answer Is Yes\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">Simmons sat down with the New York Times to discuss the challenges facing justice-involved individuals seeking to enter the legal profession. At the time, she had graduated magna cum laude from Seattle University School of Law and won a prestigious Skadden Fellowship, but was fighting the Washington State Bar Association\u2019s denial of her application to sit for the bar exam.<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/01\/19\/business\/are-felons-fit-to-be-lawyers.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>The Atlantic (November 2017)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cWhy It\u2019s Difficult for Former Inmates to Become Lawyers\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">The Atlantic examined the barriers formerly incarcerated people face when trying to enter the legal profession, featuring Simmons\u2019 high-profile fight against the Washington State Bar Association \u2014 which had denied her application despite her graduating magna cum laude, earning the Dean\u2019s Medal, and winning a Skadden Fellowship.<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theatlantic.com\/politics\/archive\/2017\/11\/why-its-difficult-for-former-inmates-to-become-lawyers\/546101\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>KNKX (May 2017)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cFrom Drugs To Prison To Law School, Woman Faces One Extra Hurdle To Become A Lawyer\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">\u201cWhen Simmons graduates from law school on Saturday she will be awarded the Dean\u2019s Medal for the graduating student \u2018who has the greatest potential to achieve the legal profession\u2019s most noble aspirations for justice and ethics.\u2019 But despite all the accolades, all the honors, and all the successes Simmons has achieved, she\u2019s just been dealt a major setback: Simmons may not get to join the legal profession \u201a\u00c4\u00ee at least not right away.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.knkx.org\/post\/drugs-prison-law-school-woman-faces-one-extra-hurdle-become-lawyer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div class=\"news-item\"><div class=\"meta\"><em>Seattle University\u00a0 (December 2016)<\/em><\/div><div class=\"headline\"><strong>\u201cStudent Tarra Simmons Wins Prestigious Skadden Fellowship\u201d<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"excerpt\">\u201cStudent Tarra Simmons has received a prestigious Skadden Fellowship. She is the first law student from Seattle University to join this elite group of dedicated social justice professionals working on behalf of people who are poor, elderly, disabled, or otherwise deprived of human or civil rights.\u201d<\/div><p><a class=\"read\" href=\"https:\/\/law.seattleu.edu\/newsroom\/2016-news\/student-tarra-simmons-wins-prestigious-skadden-fellowship\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the Full Article<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-bf3d315 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"bf3d315\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a752d97\" data-id=\"a752d97\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5c42c76 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5c42c76\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">cONTRIBUTE TO THE CAMPAIGN<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f2da7a1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f2da7a1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><b>There's a place for everyone<\/b><\/h5>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c132cf2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c132cf2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>We&#8217;re building a people-powered campaign cross the 23rd legislative district. Add your voice, your time, or your campaign donations to the movement, and help us keep Tarra fighting for her community.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c4a530a elementor-widget-elementskit-dual-button-center elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-elementskit-dual-button\" data-id=\"c4a530a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"elementskit-dual-button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ekit-wid-con\" >\n                <div class=\"ekit-element-align-wrapper\">\n                    <div class=\"ekit_double_button\">                <a class=\"ekit-double-btn ekit-double-btn-one\" href=\"https:\/\/secure.ngpvan.com\/D2Thj5JwF0mUWUeQlu7yYA2\">\n                    DONATE                <\/a>\n            \n            <a class=\"ekit-double-btn ekit-double-btn-two\" 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data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Paid for by People for Tarra Simmons<br \/>PO Box 774<br \/>Tracyton, WA 98398<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e5f25cd elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e5f25cd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Read our\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/privacy-policy\/\">Privacy Policy<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/sms-terms-and-conditions\/\">SMS Terms<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b61eb81\" data-id=\"b61eb81\" 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href=\"https:\/\/secure.ngpvan.com\/aTTzT-5tgk-BCg1njbqbsA2\">Contact<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-43be59e elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"43be59e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-grow\" href=\"https:\/\/secure.ngpvan.com\/D2Thj5JwF0mUWUeQlu7yYA2\" id=\"web_footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">DONATE<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-11d0e63\" data-id=\"11d0e63\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c318751 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c318751\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d0acc8 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1d0acc8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Tarra\u2019s work takes place in the 23rd Legislative District, on the Salish Coast, a region that has long been cared for by Indigenous peoples. The district is home to several sovereign Tribal Nations, whose communities, cultures, and traditions remain deeply rooted and beloved in this region. We honor these Nations and the Indigenous communities who have stewarded these lands and waters for generations and continue that stewardship today.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9fc999f elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-shape-rounded elementor-grid-0 e-grid-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-social-icons\" data-id=\"9fc999f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"social-icons.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-social-icons-wrapper elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon elementor-social-icon elementor-social-icon-facebook elementor-animation-grow elementor-repeater-item-485b355\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Facebook<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i 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\/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b658b53 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b658b53\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/secure.ngpvan.com\/ITk7GeqDzky7ajuEnudj0A2\">Request a Yard Sign<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c06064 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2c06064\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/home-2\/\">Home<\/a><\/p><p><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/meet-tarra\/\">Meet Tarra<\/a><\/p><p><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/endorsements\/\">Endorsements<\/a><\/p><p><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/issues\/\">Priorities<\/a><\/p><p><a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/events\">Events<\/a><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/secure.ngpvan.com\/YrZtU22BQkOY1t5ZWWmoPg2\">Volunteer<\/a><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/secure.ngpvan.com\/aTTzT-5tgk-BCg1njbqbsA2\">Contact<\/a><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/secure.ngpvan.com\/D2Thj5JwF0mUWUeQlu7yYA2\"><strong>DONATE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ea8fb3 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-shape-rounded elementor-grid-0 e-grid-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-social-icons\" data-id=\"1ea8fb3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"social-icons.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-social-icons-wrapper elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon elementor-social-icon elementor-social-icon-facebook elementor-animation-grow elementor-repeater-item-485b355\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Facebook<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fab fa-facebook\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon elementor-social-icon elementor-social-icon-instagram elementor-animation-grow elementor-repeater-item-3164ca7\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Instagram<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fab fa-instagram\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon elementor-social-icon elementor-social-icon-youtube elementor-animation-grow elementor-repeater-item-e19f052\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Youtube<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fab fa-youtube\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon elementor-social-icon elementor-social-icon-envelope elementor-animation-grow elementor-repeater-item-4a271bf\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Envelope<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-envelope\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c7c11b elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0c7c11b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Paid for by People for Tarra Simmons<br \/>PO Box 774 Tracyton, WA 98398<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-704b42b\" data-id=\"704b42b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c174ab elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9c174ab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8976865 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8976865\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Tarra\u2019s work takes place in the 23rd Legislative District, on the Salish Coast, a region that has long been cared for by Indigenous peoples. The district is home to several sovereign Tribal Nations, whose communities, cultures, and traditions remain deeply rooted and beloved in this region. We honor these Nations and the Indigenous communities who have stewarded these lands and waters for generations and continue that stewardship today.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-87bdf94 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"87bdf94\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e27530c elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e27530c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Read our\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/privacy-policy\/\">Privacy Policy<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/sms-terms-and-conditions\/\">SMS Terms<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Meet Tarra Leadership &#038; Impact Priorities Endorsements Events Volunteer Updates In The News Press Releases Subscribe X Facebook Instagram Youtube Envelope Donate Facebook Instagram Youtube Envelope Donate Meet Tarra Leadership &#038; Impact Priorities Endorsements Events Volunteer Updates In The News Press Releases Subscribe X Donate Meet Tarra Leadership &#038; Impact Priorities Endorsements Events Volunteer Updates In The News Press Releases [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_mc_calendar":[],"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-91","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/91","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=91"}],"version-history":[{"count":49,"href":"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/91\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3788,"href":"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/91\/revisions\/3788"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/electtarrasimmons.com\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=91"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}