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Nick Simmons

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This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Nick Simmons
Image of Nick Simmons

Independent Party, Democratic Party

Elections and appointments
Last election

November 5, 2024

Contact

Nick Simmons (Democratic Party, Independent Party) ran for election to the Connecticut State Senate to represent District 36. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Simmons completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Elections

2024

See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2024

General election

General election for Connecticut State Senate District 36

Incumbent Ryan Fazio defeated Nick Simmons in the general election for Connecticut State Senate District 36 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Ryan Fazio
Ryan Fazio (R)
 
51.7
 
29,293
Image of Nick Simmons
Nick Simmons (D / Independent Party) Candidate Connection
 
48.3
 
27,334

Total votes: 56,627
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Nick Simmons advanced from the Democratic primary for Connecticut State Senate District 36.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Ryan Fazio advanced from the Republican primary for Connecticut State Senate District 36.

Endorsements

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Nick Simmons completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Simmons' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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I was born and raised in Greenwich, and my wife and I are so excited to have recently started our family here in Connecticut’s 36th District. After graduating college, I left a short stint on Wall Street to become a 7th-grade math teacher in Harlem, New York. At 26 years old, I became one of the youngest Acting Principals in the state of New York, where 75% of my students were from low-income families, yet performed among the highest achieving students in New York. After attending graduate school, I joined Governor Lamont’s administration, most recently serving as Deputy Chief of Staff, where I worked to implement policies to improve Connecticut’s economy, infrastructure, schools, and transition to a clean energy future. In 2021, I was appointed as Senior Advisor in the Biden administration, where I helped lead the Department of Education's nationwide school reopening program during COVID-19. We also facilitated $190 billion of federal education aid to address student learning loss, teacher shortages, and the national student mental health crisis. I am running for State Senate because I’m passionate about furthering the Lamont economic growth track record; improving our infrastructure; and standing up for reproductive freedoms, common-sense gun laws, and climate resiliency.
  • Lower Our Taxes and Grow Our Economy

    Connecticut needs taxpayers, not more taxes.

    I am committed to lowering taxes, growing the economy and maintaining fiscal responsibility in Hartford by passing balanced budgets, and adhering to the fiscal guardrails that have helped restore our state to fiscal stability.
  • Secure More Funding for Our District Quality infrastructure is essential for a thriving community, and Connecticut deserves better. I am dedicated to advancing Connecticut’s 36th District into the 21st century without tolls or extra taxpayer burdens by: (1) Fixing I-95 and Metro-North: I will champion securing state funds and prioritize transportation projects in the CTDOT budget. (2) Modernizing Our Schools: I will coordinate with the state budget process and local Boards of Education to secure more state funds for our schools. (3) Fighting Climate Change: I will enhance flood defenses by improving drainage systems, reinforcing seawalls, and promoting sustainable urban planning to reduce flood risks.
  • Fight Back Against Extremism I believe protecting our community’s rights is fundamental to fostering a safe, equitable, and prosperous future for all. This includes strong, common sense gun laws and the protection of reproductive freedoms.
Economic Growth and Opportunity For All: We must foster economic growth in a way that elevates everyone, and empowers small businesses and companies to grow and innovate.

Equitable Funding For Our District: I believe in putting more money back into people’s pockets here at home, and reinvesting in our communities to enhance infrastructure and provide essential services.

Reproductive Freedom and Safe Communities: I am committed to protecting women’s reproductive rights and taking decisive action to prevent gun violence in our communities.

Education and Workforce Development: As a former teacher and educator, I deeply value the power of education. It is the foundation of opportunity that enables us all to pursue the American dream.
It’s important to solve the everyday problems that members of our community face. Elected officials must work tirelessly to make people’s lives better. This requires leaders to listen attentively to the concerns of residents and put aside cheap political fights for the sake of progress. We need more leaders who are willing to work across the aisle and find balanced ways to solve our everyday problems.
The role of public service is to enhance the lives of others and to make the world a better place for the next generation.

As I reflect on the world my wife and I hope to leave to our son, I envision a world that is better equipped to empower him and his generation to achieve the American dream.
I began my career as an analyst on Wall Street. However, I quickly realized that I wasn’t passionate about the work I was doing. I decided to leave Wall Street and become a 7th grade math teacher in Harlem. This was the first step in a path of public service that I’ve followed for the past 12 years.
(Answering this within a few days of the new album release) Tortured Poet’s Department

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.


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.


Nick Simmons campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* Connecticut State Senate District 36Lost general$203,816 $60,761
Grand total$203,816 $60,761
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also


External links

Footnotes


Current members of the Connecticut State Senate
Leadership
Majority Leader:Bob Duff
Minority Leader:Stephen Harding
Senators
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
MD Rahman (D)
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
District 18
District 19
District 20
District 21
District 22
District 23
District 24
District 25
Bob Duff (D)
District 26
District 27
District 28
District 29
District 30
District 31
District 32
District 33
District 34
District 35
District 36
Democratic Party (25)
Republican Party (11)