Background
He was born in 1986 in Pennsylvania, raised in the Lehigh Valley and graduated from Southern Lehigh High School and Saint Joseph’s University.
He was born in 1986 in Pennsylvania, raised in the Lehigh Valley and graduated from Southern Lehigh High School and Saint Joseph’s University.
He represents the 131st District. Simmons served as an intern for then-Congressman Pat Toomey. He later served as a legislative aide for State Senators Rob Wonderling and Bob Mensch, during which time he conducted research for legislation, ran the Northampton County district office and attended events within the district.
He also served as a Republican committeeman within Lehigh County and as president of the Lehigh Valley Young Republicans.
Simmons was elected to the State House in November 2010, after defeating incumbent Republican Karen Beyer in the May primary. He was the only person to defeat an incumbent in any 2010 primary election in the Pennsylvania legislature.
Simmons was reelected to a second term in November 2012. In November 2014, Simmons was reelected by a decisive margin of 61%-39%.
As State Representative, he has stated that he favors selling the state liquor stores and reducing the size of the state Legislature.
Simmons has also promised to refuse per diems, a state-owned vehicle and a pension.
He has also said he supports term limits, part-time status for members of the General Assembly and operating on a two-year budget cycle.