Representative Tarra Simmons

Tarra Simmons is a Democratic state representative for Washington's 23rd Legislative District, which includes Bremerton, Poulsbo, Bainbridge Island, and parts of North Kitsap. She made history in 2020 as the first formerly incarcerated person elected to the Washington State Legislature.

Simmons grew up in Bremerton in a difficult environment marked by trauma and violence. She dropped out of middle school at age 13 and became pregnant at 14, giving birth to her son at 15. Despite these obstacles, she became the first person in her family to graduate from high school and continued her education at the university level.

Her early adulthood included a career as a registered nurse, during which she advocated for her patients and community for over a decade. However, she struggled with behavioral health issues and substance use disorder stemming from her adverse childhood experiences. In 2011, she was sentenced to 30 months in prison. After her release, she committed herself to legal reform and advocacy work.

Education

Simmons earned an Associate of Arts and Science in General Studies from Olympic College and a Bachelor's degree in Nursing from Pacific Lutheran University . She then graduated magna cum laude from Seattle University School of Law in May 2017, receiving the Dean's Medal and the Graduating Student Award. She received the prestigious Skadden Fellowship, which supports talented lawyers pursuing public interest law.

Political Experience

Simmons serves on several legislative committees, including the Community Safety, Justice, and Reentry Committee , the Appropriations Committee, the Health Care and Wellness Committee, and the Rules Committee. She previously served on the Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee.

Beyond the legislature, Simmons has held significant roles in criminal justice reform:

• Co-founder of the Civil Survival Project, a nonprofit providing legal and policy advocacy to formerly incarcerated people
• Appointed member of the Washington State Reentry Council by Governor Jay Inslee, later elected co-chair by her peers
• Board member of the Economic Opportunity Institute
• Advisory board member to the Washington Supreme Court Gender and Justice Commission

A landmark moment in her career came when the Washington State Bar initially denied her admission due to her criminal history. She challenged the decision before the State Supreme Court and won a unanimous, same-day decision, setting a precedent for opportunities and second chances.

Simmons has been instrumental in passing the New Hope Act, a bipartisan legislation that streamlines reintegration processes for formerly incarcerated individuals. She has received numerous honors, including the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Champion of Justice award, the YWCA Woman of Achievement award, and Senator Patty Murray's Golden Tennis Shoe Award.