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David Simmons
David Simmons (Republican Party) was a member of the Florida State Senate, representing District 9. Simmons assumed office in 2016. Simmons left office on November 3, 2020.
Simmons (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the Florida State Senate to represent District 9. Simmons won in the general election on November 8, 2016.
Simmons previously served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 to 2008.
Biography
Simmons earned his bachelor's degree from Tennessee Technological University and his J.D. from Vanderbilt Law School. His professional experience includes working as the financial managing partner of the law firm of de Beaubien, Knight, Simmons, Mantzaris & Neal.
Committee assignments
2019-2020
Simmons was assigned to the following committees:
- Community Affairs Committee
- Senate Appropriations Committee
- Education Pre-K - 12 Committee
- Senate Judiciary Committee, Chair
- Senate Rules Committee
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Florida committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Appropriations |
| • Community Affairs |
| • Education |
| • Environmental Preservation and Conservation |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Simmons served on the following committees:
| Florida committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Appropriations |
| • Banking and Insurance |
| • Environmental Preservation and Conservation |
| • Higher Education |
| • Judiciary |
| • Rules, Chair |
| • Joint Legislative Budget Commission |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Simmons served on the following committees:
| Florida committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Banking and Insurance, Chair |
| • Criminal Justice |
| • Education |
| • Governmental Oversight and Accountability |
| • Rules |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Simmons served on the following committees:
| Florida committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Agriculture |
| • Budget |
| • Judiciary |
Campaign themes
2010
Simmons' website did not list specific issues, but emphasized his past accomplishments in the Florida House of Representatives, representing [1]
Additionally, his homepage stated, "none of my opponents qualified for Senate District 22 by the noon deadline on June 18. Therefore, I am the unopposed member-elect of the State Senate District 22 and will not appear on the election ballot. I will take office on November 3, 2010, and be sworn in as your Senator on November 16, 2010.[2]
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2020
- See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2020
David Simmons was not able to file for re-election due to term limits.
2016
- See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2016
Elections for the Florida State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 30, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 24, 2016.
Incumbent David Simmons ran unopposed in the Florida State Senate District 9 general election.[3][4]
| Florida State Senate, District 9 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican |  David Simmons Incumbent (unopposed) | |
| Source: Florida Division of Elections | ||
Incumbent David Simmons ran unopposed in the Florida State Senate District 9 Republican primary.[5][6]
| Florida State Senate, District 9 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | David Simmons Incumbent (unopposed) | |
2014
- See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2014
Elections for the Florida State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 26, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 20, 2014. Incumbent David Simmons was unopposed in the Republican primary and defeated Walter Osborne (I) in the general election.[7][8]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | David Simmons Incumbent |
69.2% | 101,241 | |
| Independent | Walter Osborne | 30.8% | 44,959 | |
| Total Votes | 146,200 | |||
2012
- See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2012
Simmons won re-election in the 2012 election for Florida State Senate District 22. Simmons ran unopposed in the Republican primary on August 14, 2012, and defeated Leo Cruz (D) and James Patrick Adamczyk (I) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[9][10]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | David Simmons Incumbent |
55.5% | 117,784 | |
| Democratic | Leo Cruz | 44.5% | 94,483 | |
| Independent | James Patrick Adamczyk | 0% | 5 | |
| Total Votes | 212,272 | |||
2010
- See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2010
Simmons won election to the 22nd District. He did not have any opposition in the August 24 primary and was unopposed in the November 2 general election.[11]
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Endorsements
2014
In 2014, Simmons' endorsements included the following:[12]
- National Rifle Association (rated A+)
- Unified Sportsmen of Florida (rated strong pro-gun)
- Associated Industries of Florida
- Business Force
- Coastal Police Benevolent Association
- Florida Medical Association
- Florida Police Benevolent Association
- Florida Retail Association
- Florida Schoolboard Association
- National Association of Social Workers
- Orange County Classroom Teachers Association
- Ronald Reagan Republican Assembly of Central Florida
- Seminole County Teachers Association
- National Association of Social Workers
- The Florida Sheriff’s CCE
- Karen Almond
- Dede Schaffner
- Tina Calderone
- Scott Sturgill
- Clay Archey
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Florida scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2020
In 2020, the Florida State Legislature was in session from January 14 to March 19.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2019, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 5 through May 3.
|
2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2018, the Florida State Legislature was in session from January 9 through March 11.
|
2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2017, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 7 through May 8. There was also a special session from June 7 to June 9.
|
2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2016, the Florida State Legislature was in session from January 12 through March 11.
|
2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2015, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 3 through May 1.
|
2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2014, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 3 through May 5.
|
2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2013, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 5 through May 3.
|
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Simmons has two children.
See also
- Florida State Senate
- Senate Committees
- Florida State Legislature
- Florida state legislative districts
External links
- Official campaign website
- Profile from Open States
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Legislative Profile from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign Contributions: 2012, 2010
Footnotes
- ↑ David Simmons for Senate, "Biography," accessed April 22, 2014
- ↑ David Simmons for Senate, "Homepage," accessed April 22, 2014
- ↑ Florida Department of State, "Candidate listing for 2016 general election," accessed September 12, 2016
- ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "November 8, 2016 Official Election Results," accessed November 23, 2016
- ↑ Florida Department of State, "Candidates and Races," accessed July 1, 2016
- ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "August 30, 2016 Official Election Results," accessed September 22, 2016
- ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "2014 Florida Election Watch - Multi-County or District Offices," accessed September 3, 2014
- ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "Candidate Listing for 2014 General Election," accessed June 23, 2014
- ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "Candidate List," accessed April 15, 2012
- ↑ Florida Department of Elections, "Official Primary Results," accessed December 18, 2014
- ↑ Florida Department of Elections, "November 2, 2010, Election Results," November 2, 2010
- ↑ dsimmonsforsenate.com, "Endorsements," accessed October 23, 2014
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Audrey Gibson (D) |
Florida State Senate District 9 2016-present |
Succeeded by Jason Brodeur (R) |
| Preceded by Ronda Storms (R) |
Florida Senate District 10 2012–2016 |
Succeeded by Wilton Simpson (R) |
| Preceded by Lee Constantine |
Florida Senate District 22 2010–2012 |
Succeeded by Jeff Brandes |
