BREAKING: WA Secretary of State responds to Times article questioning lobbying groups meeting

A New York Times article is calling into question a handful of Republican Secretaries of State, including Washington's Kim Wyman, for meeting with lobbying groups, specifically, a gathering in May with RJ Reynolds and the NRA.

But Wyman says there was nothing nefarious about the meetings.

"This was coming in and sharing my knowledge of the role of the Secretary of State's office and the things we have seen in Washington state related to initiatives and how they might impact those industries, giving them information so they can make decisions, and that is all it was," says Wyman.

Washington is one of a few states that offers citizen initiatives on the ballot, but Wyman also noted her role is purely ministerial.

"Our role, in terms of me in particular or my office having influence on the initiative or referendum process really isn't going to be effected whether I meet with the people from RJ Reynolds or the NRA or the restaurant association," says Wyman.

In fact, the Times article notes that groups aligned with Democrats did the same thing in 2014, despite the limited role in the initiative process of the Secretary of State.