Rep. Geoff Simpson (D-47) has been charged with domestic violence against his ex-wife, the second time he has been accused of assaulting her, PubliCola has learned.

The Everett Herald has a detailed account of the alleged assault, including a statement from Rep. Simpson. According to the Herald:

Simpson is accused of pushing his ex-wife as she tried to stop him from entering a hospital room where their young daughter was recovering from surgery.

Once he got inside the ex-wife said she tried to open the door and go in and he “pushed her out of the room and used the door to force her all the way out,” according to a Seattle police report.

A social worker told police she saw Simpson “barrel” into the room, push the former wife and shut the door.

He “closed the blinds and barricaded himself inside using his body” and was yelling inside, according to the report. Once he came out, he left the property, witnesses said.

Simpson was arrested for domestic violence against his ex-wife, with whom he was then in the midst of an acrimonious divorce, back in 2008.

Simpson, who represents a swing district in Southeast King County, is currently in a tough race for reelection against two Republican challengers. We have a call out to Simpson's campaign consultant, Rory Steele, as well as Simpson's campaign office in Covington, and will post more details when we have them.

In the meantime, here is the statement Simpson released to the media:

If there were any truth in the accusations made against me, I would immediately resign my seat in the legislature. I believe strongly that there is no excuse for domestic violence and our system should always err on the side of protecting victims. Unfortunately, I also know that the system can be misused.

In, 2005, after considerable and very difficult contemplation, I decided to end my 22 year marriage. That decision began an extremely difficult cycle of false and outrageous allegations being made against me for various motives as the divorce settlement was mediated and since then as changes have been sought. All of the allegations raised against me in various venues over the past few years have been determined to be unfounded or dismissed time and again.

I sincerely apologize to my constituents and especially my children that these issues continue to raise their ugly head every two years during election season. It is hurtful to everyone involved and keeps my family from being able to move forward. I have proudly spent my life protecting the citizens of my community as a 20 year firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician and serving as a city council member and state representative because I care about our future.

I work very hard to represent our community with integrity even when it isn't the easy the thing to do. The people of the 47th legislative district deserve someone who will stand for what is right even in the face of extreme odds.

I accept responsibility for my role in these difficult circumstances and will continue to do everything I can to ensure we can finally move on. I am confident that once these allegations are investigated they will be determined like all the others have to be untruthful and remain hopeful that these negative attacks will no longer be newsworthy and therefore will cease.