Looks like Jay Inslee lost his first roll of the dice on a political appointee this week, when former Democrat State Rep and current public employee union lobbyist Geoff Simpson resigned from the State Gambling Commission. Simpson was appointed to the Commission last fall, but his Senate confirmation ran into trouble over previous charges of domestic violence against him in 2008. Simpson tried to talk his way out of the controversy over his behavior, as he had in previous campaigns, but ultimately the Governor folded his hand on this nomination.
From the Seattle Times:
His resignation marks the first time an appointee of second-year Gov. Jay Inslee has left after getting opposition from the majority-Republican Senate. Inslee is a Democrat.
GOP senators, especially Janea Holmquist Newbry, said Tuesday they opposed the nomination due to the allegation that Simpson pushed his ex-wife while visiting their daughter at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Leave a Reply