State representative from SW Washington abruptly resigns

A member of the state House has suddenly resigned his seat. Democrat Jim Jacks of Hazel Dell in Southwest Washington departed the legislature Friday without any public announcement.

The Chief Clerk of the House says there were no formal complaints pending against Jacks. 

House Majority Leader Pat Sullivan refused to release any details other than to say Jacks resigned for personal and family reasons.

“This is an institution that always has issues. But there were no issues that forced Representative Jacks to resign. There were issues that he was dealing with that led to his decision," says Sullivan.

Jacks, a 41-year-old, two-term lawmaker, served as a member of the House Democratic leadership team and is married with two children.

Previously he worked as Gov. Chris Gregoire’s representative in Southwest Washington. Jacks is the second lawmaker from the area to resign in recent years. In 2007, Republican Richard Curtis left office amid a sex scandal.