A Washington state Democratic legislator resigned in the middle of the legislative session Friday for “family and personal reasons,” a House Democratic leader said Friday.
Rep. Jim Jacks, D-Vancouver, submitted his letter of resignation Friday morning and immediately vacated his office in Olympia, Democratic Majority Leader Pat Sullivan said.
“(Jacks) said he needed to take care of some things at home,” said Sullivan, who refused to divulge any more details. “There’s not much more to say about it.”
The resignation raises more questions than it answers. His departure came to light as a leadership statement accepting his resignation. There was no official announcement of his quitting.
A call to Jacks’ cellphone by The Associated Press was not immediately returned. His official legislative website has been shut down and his legislative aide did not arrive at the office Friday.
Sullivan said leadership did not ask for his resignation and added that Jacks was not in legal trouble.
Barbara Baker of the Clerk’s Office said her office has no documentation of a formal complaint filed against Jacks by another lawmaker, a staff member or another person who works in the Legislature.
Jacks won his seat in the 49th legislative district in 2008 and was re-elected in 2010. He served an assistant whip in the House’s leadership team. The 41-year-old was born in Spokane. Jacks was Gov. Chris Gregoire’s liaison to southwest Washington before becoming a lawmaker.
Jacks is married and has two children.
“We supported his decision,” Sullivan said.
Sen. Craig Pridemore, a Democrat who serves in the same district, said his resignation had been discussed for a couple of days.
Sullivan and Pridemore added that Clark County and party officials will move to replace Jacks as fast as possible.
