Oregon Public Broadcasting

Washington state Representative Geoff Simpson will retain his committee chairmanship -- for now -- despite being charged in a domestic dispute case. That's the word Tuesday from House Democratic leaders.

Washington State Legislature

Washington State Rep. Geoff Simpson

Simpson chairs the Local Government and Housing Committee in the Washington state House.

He's pleaded not-guilty to gross misdemeanor assault. The charge stems from a dispute with his former wife at Children's Hospital in Seattle in May. Simpson's daughter was a patient there at the time.

House Speaker Pro Tem Jeff Morris says the Democratic caucus will wait until after the November election to decide if Simpson should retain his chairmanship.

Jeff Morris: "If we were coming back into special session that might be a different situation. But we're not. It would be big waste of taxpayer money to bring everybody back just to remove a chair who's not going to be presiding over anything."

Simpson represents Southeast King County and is in a tough re-election race. Despite the charge against him, he's been endorsed by groups representing women and children including the Children's Campaign Fund, Stand For Children and Planned Parenthood.

Simpson had no comment for this story citing the pending criminal matter.