Caroline Simmons

Caroline Simmons (born February 10, 1985) is a State Representative in Connecticut representing the 144th District. She is the youngest female legislator in Connecticut state office.[1]

Early life and education

Simmons was born in southern Connecticut and raised in a family of five children with a Democrat mom and Republican father.[2] She was the president of her high school, captain of three varsity sports and a two-time All-American lacrosse player.[3] She earned her bachelor's degree from Harvard College in 2008, where she majored in Government.[3] While in college, Simmons played on the varsity lacrosse team and spent a semester studying abroad at the American University in Egypt.[3]

After graduating Harvard she worked on Barack Obama's Presidential Transition Team, before accepting a job at the Department of Homeland Security.[4][5] At the Department of Homeland Security, Simmons served as Director of Special Projects in the Counterterrorism Coordinator’s Office and travelled to Kabul many times for her work.[3][5] She also worked to enhance the department’s law enforcement training programs for countering violent extremism and active shooter awareness and response.[5] Simmons also earned a Master of Arts degree in Middle East Studies from the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University in 2011[3]

Political career

In 2014, Simmons returned to her home state and declared her bid to run for state representative of the 144th district.[6] Simmons ran on a promise to fight for education, small businesses and public safety.[6] Simmons defeated incumbent Republican Michael Molgano with 53.8% of the vote, and was the only Connecticut Democrat in 2014 to defeat an incumbent Republican[7]

In her first term, Simmons focused on making the state more competitive for businesses by co-sponsoring legislation for a Connecticut Competitiveness Council.[8] Simmons introduced and led debate on a bill to enhance the state's cyber security.[9] Simmons also made a reputation for herself as bi-partisan and an advocate for Stamford public schools, infrastructure, and public safety[8]

In 2016, Simmons handily won reelection. She defeated her challenger with 67% of the vote[10]

References

  1. ↑ Skalka, Liz (November 9, 2016). "Simmons wins second term in 144th District". Stamford Advocate.
  2. ↑ Skalka, Liz (December 27, 2016). "State Rep finds surprise proposal in The Advocate". Stamford Advocate.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Representative Hopes to Lead By Example". Stamford Advocate. August 31, 2015.
  4. ↑ Skalka, Liz. "Representative hopes to lead by example". Stamford Advocate. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 "Caroline Simmons Biography". Connecticut House Democrats. Connecticut House Democrats.
  6. 1 2 Simmons, Caroline (March 29, 2014). "Why I'm Running in the 144th District". Stamford Advocate.
  7. ↑ "Connecticut House of Representatives elections, 2014". Ballotpedia. BallotPedia.
  8. 1 2 Tomlinson, Pat (February 4, 2016). "Simmons announces re-election bid to Stamford's 144th". Stamford Advocate.
  9. ↑ "Stamford's Simmons backs cybersecurity bil". Stamford Advocate. April 17, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Connecticut 144th District State House Results: Caroline Simmons Wins". New York Times. December 13, 2016.
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