Nick Simmons (politician)
Nick Simmons | |
|---|---|
 Simmons Campaign in 2024 | |
| Candidate for Connecticut State Senate for the 36st district | |
| Assumed office February 26, 2024 | |
| Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Ned Lamont | |
| In office February 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Nicholas S. Simmons May 1, 1989 Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Rachel Yat Munsie (m. 2022) |
| Relations | Caroline Simmons (sister) |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | Yale University (BA) Harvard Business School (MBA) Harvard Kennedy School (MPA) |
| Occupation | Educator, civil servant, politician |
| Signature |  |
| Website | Official website |
Nicholas "Nick" S. Simmons (born May 1, 1989) is an American educator, civil servant and politician who served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Ned Lamont in 2023, as well as Senior Advisor to the Biden Administration in 2021.
In February 2024, Simmons announced his candidacy for Connecticut State Senate in the 36th district, encompassing parts of Greenwich and Stamford, against Republican Ryan Fazio.[1][2] In September 2024, he was endorsed by the Independent Party of Connecticut.[3]
Early life and education
[edit]Simmons was born May 1, 1989 in Greenwich, Connecticut, one of five children, to Steven J. Simmons (born 1946), a cable entrepreneur turned contemporary artist, and Mary "Eileen" Simmons (née Haggerty; born 1949).[4][5][6] His father, who is Jewish and originally from Long Island, has been described as centrist or moderately Republican whilst his mother, an Irish Catholic from California, as being a Democrat.[7][8] His older sister is Caroline Simmons, who serves as Mayor of Stamford.[9]
He was raised in Greenwich, Connecticut and completed a Bachelor of Arts in Political science followed by a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a Master of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School.[10]
Professional career
[edit]After graduating from Yale University, he worked for a brief time on Wall Street before becoming a 7th grade math teacher at a middle school in Harlem, and by 26 years old, he became one of the youngest Acting Principals in the State of New York. From Harlem, Simmons went to earn a joint Master's in Public Policy and an MBA from Harvard.[11]
Political career
[edit]Simmons then joined Governor Ned Lamont's Administration, most recently serving as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor.
In 2021, Simmons was chosen to serve as a Senior Advisor in the Biden Administration, where he was asked to help lead the work from the Department of Education to reopen schools nationwide during COVID-19.[1]
State Senate race
[edit]Nick announced his candidacy as a Democrat for Connecticut's 36th District in late February.[12] He was set to face fellow Democrat Trevor Crow in the primary until she dropped out of the race on March 29.[13] Simmons was unanimously nominated by the Democratic Town Committees of Greenwich, Stamford, and New Canaan on May 14 as the Democratic candidate for the 36th District.[14]
Personal life
[edit]On July 9, 2022, Simmons married Rachel Yat Munsie (born 1991), with whom he has one child.
Simmons resides in Stamford, Connecticut.
References
[edit]- ^ a b Blye, Andy. "Nick Simmons, Stamford mayor's brother, hopes to challenge Fazio and re-flip CT state Senate seat". Greenwich Time. Retrieved 2024-05-21.
- ^ "Nick Simmons Announces Candidacy For 36th State Senate District". Greenwich, CT Patch. 2024-02-23. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ https://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/greenwich-simmons-fazio-36th-senate-state-19739884.php
- ^ https://www.nytimes.com/1978/05/29/archives/mary-haggerty-bride-of-steven-simmons.html
- ^ "Introducing Greenwich sculptor Steve Simmons and his creative journey". Greenwich Sentinel. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ https://www.greenwichtime.com/local/article/is-greenwich-cable-entrepreneur-connecticut-s-712083.php
- ^ "Meet Nick Simmons, Democratic candidate for State Senate". 2024-05-09. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/State-rep-finds-surprise-proposal-in-The-Advocate-10821325.php
- ^ https://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/nick-simmons-ct-state-senate-36th-election-18667758.php
- ^ "Meet Nick". Nick Simmons for Connecticut. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ Laguarda, Ignacio (9 April 2021). "Stamford man to bring 'Connecticut model to Washington' in new U.S. education department role". Stamford Advocate.
- ^ "Nick Simmons Announces Candidacy For 36th State Senate District". Greenwich, CT Patch. 2024-02-23. Retrieved 2024-05-21.
- ^ Blye, Andy. "Trevor Crow drops out of District 36 CT senate race, sets up fight between Ryan Fazio, Nick Simmons". Greenwich Time. Retrieved 2024-05-21.
- ^ greenwichfreepress (2024-05-15). "Democrats Officially Nominate Nick Simmons for the 36th State Senate District". Greenwich Free Press. Retrieved 2024-05-21.