David H. Simmons

David Simmons
Member of the Florida Senate
from the 22nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office
2010
Preceded by Lee Constantine
Personal details
Born June 13, 1952 (1952-06-13) (age 59)
Nashville, Tennessee
Political party Republican
Profession Attorney, Financial Managing Partner of de Beaubien, Knight, Simmons, Mantzaris, & Neal, LLP
Religion Catholic

David Simmons is the Majority Whip [1] of the Florida Senate, a body in which he represents the 22nd District. His district of almost 500,000 residents includes parts of Orange and Seminole Counties in Central Florida. Senator David Simmons was sworn in as the State Senator from the 22nd District on November 16, 2010. Previously, he was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 to 2008.

Contents

Personal life

Simmons was born in Nashville, Tennessee. He graduated first in his class with the highest distinction in Mathematics from Tennessee Technological University in 1974. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Vanderbilt Law School, one of the nation’s premier law schools, where he has served on its National Council.

Simmons is the financial managing partner of de Beaubien, Knight, Simmons, Mantzaris & Neal, LLP,[2] one of the largest law firms in Central Florida with over 50 attorneys. He is board certified by The Florida Bar both in Business Litigation and Civil Trial. He is also board certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He holds the highest ranking an individual attorney can receive (AV) as designated by Martindale-Hubbell Directory. He is known as one of Central Florida’s premier trial attorneys.

Political career

Florida House of Representatives

Simmons was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 through 2008 and served his constituents in Seminole and Orange Counties. During his terms in office, The Orlando Sentinel consistently rated Simmons as one of the top three most effective Representatives in Central Florida. In 2007, speaking about Simmons’ accomplishments, The Sentinel said that Simmons is “the definition of substance over style.” In 2008, The Sentinel said Simmons was the House’s problem solver.

As a member of the Florida House of Representatives, Simmons was responsible for obtaining the funding for the University of Central Florida’s Interactive Entertainment Academy; obtaining significant funding for Seminole Community College, including its new Altamonte Springs campus.; being a major force behind the legislation that saved nursing homes for our senior citizens during the 2001 nursing home crisis; sponsoring the landmark Florida constitutional amendment that passed requiring 60% approval by voters of any amendment to our constitution; rewriting Florida law so as to permit citizens to stand their ground in self defense of themselves and their family members, which became model legislation used throughout the United States and the world.

In addition, Simmons sponsored the landmark DUI legislation that requires interlock devices (breathalyzers) on vehicles of repeat DUI offenders. Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) awarded Simmons its Legislator of the Year Award for this important DUI legislation. The Florida Sheriffs’ Association, the Florida Medical Association, and the Florida Restaurant Association have also awarded Simmons Legislator of the Year Awards. He received the Faith and Family Award from the Christian Coalition of Florida.

Florida Senate

Simmons filed to run for the State Senate with Senator Lee Constantine being term-limited for re-election. With no opponents qualifying to run against him, Simmons won unopposed and was sworn in as the next State Senator from District 22 on November 16, 2010.

Simmons is currently the Chair of the Budget Subcommittee on Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations. He is also a member of the Committees on Budget, Agriculture, Budget Subcommittee on Higher Education Appropriations, Judiciary, and Rules Subcommittee on Ethics and Elections in addition to his role as Majority Whip.

Community & Civic Participation

Simmons has a history of service and commitment to the Central Florida community. He has served as a member of the City of Orlando Citizens Review Committee; United States Senator Connie Mack’s Federal Judicial Advisory Committee; and the Long-Term Care Policy Advisory Council. Simmons volunteered as the past President and Board Member of Lakeside Alternatives, Orange County’s non-profit facility that provides community mental health services, and he is a member of the Orlando Chamber of Commerce.

References

  1. ^ http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/haridopolos-adds-senate-team-david-simmons-anitere-flores-evelyn-lynn
  2. ^ http://www.dbksmn.com/a-dhs.htm

External links

Members of the Florida State Senate
President of the Senate: Mike Haridopolos (R) • President pro Tempore: Mike Bennett (R) • Majority Leader: Andy Gardiner (R) • Minority Leader: Nan Rich (D)
   
  1.    Audrey Gibson (D)
  2.    Greg Evers (R)
  3.    Charlie Dean (R)
  4.    Don Gaetz (R)
  5.    Stephen R. Wise (R)
  6.    Bill Montford (D)
  7.    Evelyn J. Lynn (R)
  8.    John E. Thrasher (R)
  9.    Andy Gardiner (R)
  10.    Ronda Storms (R)
  1.    Mike Fasano (R)
  2.    Jim Norman (R)
  3.    Dennis L. Jones (R)
  4.    Steve Oelrich (R)
  5.    Paula Dockery (R)
  6.    Jack Latvala (R)
  7.    J.D. Alexander (R)
  8.    Arthenia Joyner (D)
  9.    Gary Siplin (D)
  10.    Alan Hays (R)
  1.    Mike Bennett (R)
  2.    David H. Simmons (R)
  3.    Nancy C. Detert (R)
  4.    Thad Altman (R)
  5.    Ellyn Bogdanoff (R)
  6.    Mike Haridopolos (R)
  7.    Lizbeth Benacquisto (R)
  8.    Joe Negron (R)
  9.    Chris Smith (D)
  10.    Maria Sachs (D)
  1.    Eleanor Sobel (D)
  2.    Jeremy Ring (D)
  3.    Oscar Braynon II (D)
  4.    Nan Rich (D)
  5.    Gwen Margolis (D)
  6.    Miguel Diaz de la Portilla (R)
  7.    Garrett Richter (R)
  8.    Anitere Flores (R)
  9.    Larcenia Bullard (D)
  10.    Rene Garcia (R)