Meet Simone Carter, McClatchy’s new Washington state government reporter
Reporter Simone Carter, a Texas native who previously worked for the Dallas Observer and Newsweek, has joined The Olympian to cover Washington state government for the state capital’s newspaper as well as McClatchy’s three other sites in the state.
Most recently she covered the Tacoma city government and education for The News Tribune, which also is a McClatchy newspaper and sister publication to The Olympian.
Carter fills the position vacated by reporter Shauna Sowersby, who now writes for Cascade PBS, previously known as Crosscut.
Carter is not a stranger to writing about politics. She covered the political scene for the Dallas Observer, an alternative weekly, and did the same for Newsweek.
“I enjoy my role in keeping the community informed about pressing issues, distilling often complex matters into everyday language,” Carter said. “It’s so important to me that journalists hold public officials’ feet to the fire when they step out of bounds, which helps to ensure a more just and fair society. I also love giving voice to historically underrepresented communities.”
Already she has alerted readers about how the state could address the major shortfall facing the state’s operating budget and Gov. Jay Inslee’s freeze on hiring and other spending as a result of the shortfall. She also has written about Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson and his efforts to safeguard the state against potential threats from the Trump administration.
She also is organizing a live stream legislative preview with state political leaders for early January.
“We are so lucky to find such a hard-working, enthusiastic reporter to fill Shauna’s shoes and keep the tiny Capitol press corps as strong as possible,” Olympian editor Dusti Demarest said of Carter. “Covering the state Capitol requires a reporter to hit the ground sprinting, and Simone has done just that.
“In Texas, she covered a legislature that was dominated by one party, as it is in Washington, so she is familiar with the dynamic. I am really looking forward to her work this coming legislative session.”
In her spare time, Carter said she likes to go running and listen to heavy metal music — it helps her keep pace during her jog, she says — as well as spend time with her husband and two dogs. Other down time pursuits include watching bad reality TV.
“Anything on Bravo, like Vanderpump Rules or the Real Housewives. Sign me up,” said Carter in a video introducing herself to readers.
If you have suggestions for her state Legislature and government coverage in 2025, send her an email at scarter@mcclatchy.com.
This story was originally published December 18, 2024 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Meet Simone Carter, McClatchy’s new Washington state government reporter."
