Caroline Simmons

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Caroline Simmons
Simmons sitting on a chair for a mayoral debate
Simmons in 2021
32nd Mayor of Stamford
Assumed office
December 1, 2021
Preceded byDavid Martin
Member of the
Connecticut House of Representatives
from the 144th District
In office
January 7, 2015 – December 1, 2021
Preceded byMichael Molgano
Personal details
Born (1986-02-10) February 10, 1986 (age 35)
Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)
​
(m. 2017)​
[1]
EducationHarvard University (BA)
George Washington University (MA)

Caroline Simmons (born February 10, 1986) is an American politician serving as the mayor of Stamford, Connecticut. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served as State Representative for Connecticut's 144th District, where she was the youngest woman legislator in Connecticut state office.[2] She is married to former Republican State Senator Art Linares. Simmons won the 2021 Stamford mayoral election, becoming the city's first female mayor.[3]

Early life and career[]

Simmons was born in Greenwich, Connecticut and raised in a family of five children with a Democratic mother and Republican father.[4] She was the president of her high school, captain of three varsity sports and a two-time All-American lacrosse player.[5] She earned her bachelor's degree from Harvard College in 2008, where she majored in Government.[5] While in college, Simmons played on the varsity lacrosse team and spent a semester studying abroad at the American University in Egypt.[5]

After graduating Harvard she worked on Barack Obama's Presidential Transition Team, before accepting a job at the Department of Homeland Security.[6][7] At the Department of Homeland Security, Simmons served as Director of Special Projects in the Counterterrorism Coordinator's Office and traveled to Kabul many times for her work.[5][7] 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.[5]

Connecticut General Assembly[]

Elections[]

In 2014, Simmons became a state representative candidate for the 144th district.[8] 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.[9] In 2016, Simmons won re-election, defeating her challenger with 67% of the vote.[10] In 2018 and 2020, Simmons won re-election, while pregnant during both elections.[11]

Tenure[]

In her first term, Simmons Introduced or co-sponsored 53 bi-partisan bills, two which reduced regulations for small businesses and six of which lowered taxes on hospitals, businesses, and residents.[12] She also secured $65 million in funding for schools, passed legislation improving public safety, gun safety, and pedestrian safety, and co-sponsored legislation for a Connecticut Competitiveness Council.[13] Simmons introduced and led debate on a bill to enhance the state's cyber security.[14] During her second term, Simmons continued advocating for improvements to Stamford public schools, infrastructure, and public safety.[13] She was appointed as Chair of the Commerce Committee, becoming one of the youngest women to ever do so.[15] As chair, she has focused on small business development and job growth, especially given the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor of Stamford (2021-Present)[]

2021 election[]

Main article: 2021 Stamford mayoral election
Simmons sits at a table next to Valentine for the Chamber of Commerce debate.
Simmons debates Valentine for the televised debate hosted at Giovanni's in Darien.

On February 10, 2021, Simmons declared her run for mayor of Stamford, Connecticut in the 2021 Stamford mayoral election.[16] Simmons was endorsed by the Stamford Democratic City Committee against two-term incumbent Mayor David Martin.[17] Simmons was also endorsed by the Independent Party of Connecticut.[18] Martin collected enough signatures to force a Democratic primary election which took place on September 14, 2021. Simmons defeated Martin in a landslide, winning the majority of votes in every voting district.[19][20] Simmons had raised over $239,000 for her primary campaign, outpacing Martin's $78,000.[21]

Simmons faced unaffiliated candidate Bobby Valentine in the general election. The Republican-endorsed candidate dropped out prior to the Democratic primary and endorsed Valentine.[22] The race attracted several high-profile donors,[23] amounting to a total of $1.2M between both candidates.[24] Simmons garnered national attention after she announced she was expecting her third child,[25] and again when she was endorsed by President Barack Obama.[26] The race was characterized as "tense" with Simmons claiming Valentine had used misogynistic language and Valentine claiming Simmons was ageist.[27]

Initial results on election night indicated a close race, but absentee ballots swung heavily in Simmons' favor resulting in a 5-point victory.[28] Valentine originally claimed duplicate ballots may have influenced the result,[29] but conceded soon afterward. Valentine did not contact Simmons on election night,[30] and characterized local press coverage as "lousy", adding he could not compliment Simmons' victory "with an open heart and clear mind."[31]

Tenure[]

photo of Simmons receiving oath of office
Mayor Simmons receives the oath of office from Connecticut Attorney General William Tong.

Prior to being sworn into office, Mayor-elect Simmons appointed State Senator Patricia Billie Miller, Cradle to Career President Bridget Fox, and Stamford Health President Kathleen Silard to serve as co-chairs for her transition team.[32] Miller was the most senior legislator among the Stamford delegation and an ally to Simmons throughout her mayoral campaign.[33] Fox previously served in the City of Stamford under Mayors Malloy and Pavia. Fox was later appointed as Simmons' chief of staff.[34]

After being sworn in as Mayor, Simmons announced she would nominate three cabinet members: Sandra Dennies as Director of Administration, Ted Jankowski as Director of Public Safety, Health, and Welfare, and Matthew Quinones as Director of Operations.[35] Dennies and Jankowski were both incumbents in their positions who served under Mayor David Martin. Dennies previously held her position under Mayor Malloy.[36] Jankowski was originally appointed to his position by Mayor Pavia in 2012 and was reappointed by Martin for both of his terms.[37][38] Quinones served on Stamford's Board of Representatives since 2013, including as President of the Board from 2017 to 2021.

Personal life[]

Simmons lives in Stamford with her Republican husband and two children. Outside of political office, she is involved in the community and serves on the Board of the Women's Business Development Council and the Executive Committee of the Stamford Partnership.[39]

References[]

  1. ^ "Amid the Partisan Bickering in Hartford, A Republican and a Democrat Found Love".
  2. ^ Skalka, Liz (November 9, 2016). "Simmons wins second term in 144th District". Stamford Advocate.
  3. ^ Gurciullo, Brianna (2021-11-03). "Caroline Simmons wins Stamford mayoral election as Bobby Valentine concedes". Stamford Advocate. Hearst Communications. Retrieved 2021-11-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ Skalka, Liz (December 27, 2016). "State Rep finds surprise proposal in The Advocate". Stamford Advocate.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Representative Hopes to Lead By Example". Stamford Advocate. August 31, 2015.
  6. ^ Skalka, Liz. "Representative hopes to lead by example". Stamford Advocate. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  7. ^ a b "Caroline Simmons Biography". Connecticut House Democrats. Connecticut House Democrats.
  8. ^ Simmons, Caroline (March 29, 2014). "Why I'm Running in the 144th District". Stamford Advocate.
  9. ^ "Connecticut House of Representatives elections, 2014". Ballotpedia. BallotPedia.
  10. ^ "Connecticut 144th District State House Results: Caroline Simmons Wins". New York Times. December 13, 2016.
  11. ^ Munson, Emilie (2018-05-07). "Democrat and GOP lawmakers announce first child together". Laredo Morning Times. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
  12. ^ "Caroline Simmons: Why I am running for re-election". AP NEWS. 2016-11-07. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
  13. ^ a b Tomlinson, Pat (February 4, 2016). "Simmons announces re-election bid to Stamford's 144th". Stamford Advocate.
  14. ^ "Stamford's Simmons backs cybersecurity bil". Stamford Advocate. April 17, 2015.
  15. ^ "Simmons Appointed Commerce Committee Chair | News Break". News Break Hartford, CT. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
  16. ^ Laguarda, Ignacio (2021-02-10). "State Rep. Caroline Simmons to challenge incumbent David Martin for Stamford mayor". StamfordAdvocate. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
  17. ^ Gurciullo, Brianna (2021-07-25). "Simmons narrowly wins Stamford's Democratic endorsement for mayor; Martin looks to force primary". StamfordAdvocate. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
  18. ^ "Broad coalition endorses independent practice for Medicare psychologists". PsycEXTRA Dataset. 2020. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
  19. ^ Del Valle, Veronica (2021-09-14). "State Rep. Caroline Simmons defeats Mayor David Martin in Stamford Democratic mayoral primary". Stamford Advocate. Hearst Communications. Retrieved 2021-10-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ^ "Public Reporting". ctemspublic.pcctg.net. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
  21. ^ Gurciullo, Brianna (2021-07-17). "George Bush, Linda McMahon among donors: Valentine outraises Simmons and Martin in Stamford mayoral campaign". StamfordAdvocate. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
  22. ^ Gurciullo, Brianna (2021-09-08). "Joe Corsello, Republican candidate for Stamford mayor, drops out of race and endorses Bobby Valentine". StamfordAdvocate. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  23. ^ Gurciullo, Brianna (2021-07-17). "George Bush, Linda McMahon among donors: Valentine outraises Simmons and Martin in Stamford mayoral campaign". StamfordAdvocate. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  24. ^ Gurciullo, Brianna (2021-11-18). "Caroline Simmons, Bobby Valentine raised more than $1.2M in Stamford mayoral race. What did they spend it on?". StamfordAdvocate. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  25. ^ Altimari, Daniela (2021-11-08). "Mothers of young children a rising political force as Stewart, Simmons lead two of Connecticut's largest cities". StamfordAdvocate. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  26. ^ Gurciullo, Brianna (2021-10-21). "Former President Barack Obama endorses Caroline Simmons in Stamford mayoral race". StamfordAdvocate. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  27. ^ Keating, Christopher (2021-10-27). "In Stamford mayoral race, 71-year-old Bobby Valentine called his Democratic opponent a '35-year-old girl.' Caroline Simmons said the comments are 'misogynistic' and 'offensive.'". HartfordCourant. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  28. ^ Gurciullo, Brianna (2021-11-03). "A 1,500 vote difference put Caroline Simmons over Bobby Valentine to become Stamford's next mayor". StamfordAdvocate.
  29. ^ Erwin, Joe (2021-11-03). "Bobby Valentine loses tight mayoral race in Stamford, suggests some voted twice". StamfordAdvocate.
  30. ^ Breunig, John (2021-11-06). "John Breunig (opinion): Caroline Simmons made history in CT. Can she make more?". StamfordAdvocate.
  31. ^ Schnell, Michael (2021-11-03). "Ex-MLB manager Valentine hints at election irregularities after mayoral loss". TheHill.
  32. ^ Gurciullo, Brianna (2021-07-17). "Stamford Mayor-elect Caroline Simmons taps Bridget Fox, Patricia Billie Miller, Kathleen Silard to head transition team". StamfordAdvocate. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  33. ^ Billie Miller, Patricia (2021-10-20). "State Sen. Patricia Billie Miller (opinion): Why I am voting for Caroline Simmons". StamfordAdvocate. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  34. ^ Kaufman, Richard (2021-12-02). "Mayor Simmons Announces Cabinet Appointments". Patch. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  35. ^ Gurciullo, Brianna (2021-12-01). "Stamford Mayor Simmons names nominees for three cabinet positions: Some new faces, some old". StamfordAdvocate.
  36. ^ Laguarda, Ignacio (2020-02-28). "Stamford hires former administration director to replace Handler". StamfordAdvocate.
  37. ^ Nickerson, John (2012-03-26). "Jankowski brings N.Y. experience to public safety role". StamfordAdvocate.
  38. ^ King, Kate (2014-01-07). "Mayor assembles administration".
  39. ^ "Board of Directors". Women's Business Development Council. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
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