From OpenCongress Wiki

Robert Ruhl Simmons was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 2001 to 2007, representing the 2nd Congressional District of Connecticut. He was defeated in the 2006 congressional elections by Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.).

Contents 1 Bio 1.1 Background 1.2 Congressional Career 1.2.1 Iraq War 1.2.2 2006 elections 2 Meet the Cash Constituents 3 Controversy 3.1 Link to Tom Delay 4 Committees and Affiliations 4.1 Committees in the 109th Congress (2005-2006) 4.2 Coalitions and Caucuses 4.3 Boards and other Affiliations 5 More Background Data 6 Articles and Resources 6.1 Local blogs and discussion sites 7 Contact

Bio

Background

Robert Simmons was born February 11, 1943 in New York City. Simmons was educated at Haverford College, served in the United States Army and the Central Intelligence Agency, and was a staff member for Senator John Chafee of Rhode Island, and a member of the Connecticut General Assembly.

Congressional Career

In 2000, Simmons defeated ten-term Democratic incumbent Sam Gejdenson by a slim 3,000 vote margin. Despite being in the most Democratic GOP-held seat in the nation and being targeted by the DCCC as a possible pickup, Simmons fought off a well financed challenge from Democrat Joe Courtney in 2002, easily winning 54%-46%.

In 2004 Simmons faced a challenge from Democrat Jim Sullivan and successfully defended his seat by an 8-point margin, 54%-46%.

In 2005, the NRCC listed Simmons as one of their most vulnerable members and his seat is still widely seen as a possible Democratic pickup in 2006. Joe Courtney, Simmons's opponent in 2002, has declared his intention to once again challenge Simmons in 2006.

Iraq War

Simmons voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.^[1]

2006 elections

In 2006, the Democrats nominated Joe Courtney to face Simmons in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) [1] The race was very close, with Courtney leading by less than 200 votes following an initial count, and less than 100 after a counting error was detected. This count did not include provisional ballots. [2] Following a final recount, Courtney was declared the election's winner by less than 100 votes. [3]

Meet the Cash Constituents

Links to more campaign contribution information for Rob Simmons from the Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets.org site.
Fundraising profile:	2008 election cycle	Career totals
Top contributors by organization/corporation:	2008 election cycle	Career totals
Top contributors by industry:	2008 election cycle	Career totals

Controversy

Link to Tom Delay

Simmons was a recipient of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's ARMPAC campaign contributions. DeLay is being prosecuted on charges of felony money laundering of campaign finances and conspiracy to launder money. [4]

Committees and Affiliations

Committees in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

• House Committee on Armed Services
• House Defense Review Threat Panel
  • Subcommittee on Projection Forces
  • Subcommittee on Readiness
• House Committee on Homeland Security
  • Subcommitteeon Emergency Preparedness Science and Technology
  • Subcommittee on Intelligence Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment - Chair
  • Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack
• House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
  • Subcommittee on Highways Transit and Pipelines
  • Subcommittee on Railroads

Coalitions and Caucuses

• Co Chair, Long Island Sound Caucus

Boards and other Affiliations

• Board of Governors, President, Stonington Community Center, 1985-present
• Vestry, Calvary Episcopal Church, 1988-1991
• Fundraising Chair, Mystic Flag Committee, 1986
• Adjutant, American Legion Post 58, Stonington Borough
• ROA
• Former Treasurer, Stonington Cemetery Association
• Life Member, Sierra Club
• Veterans of Foreign Wars

More Background Data

• Background information on Rob Simmons from Project Vote Smart

• Interest group scorecard ratings for Rob Simmons from Project Vote Smart

• Voting record for Rob Simmons from the Washington Post database

• Information on Rob Simmons from Congress Merge
• 2006 Connecticut CD 2 Candidate List from VIS

Wikipedia also has an article on Rob Simmons. This article may use content from the Wikipedia article under the terms of the GFDL.

Articles and Resources

• Official website
• Campaign website
• Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

• Connecticut Local Politics

Contact

DC Office:
215 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-2076
Fax: 202-225-4977
Web Email
Website

District Office - Enfield:
37-39 Pearl Street
Enfield, CT 06082
Phone: 860-741-4053
Fax: 860-741-4059

District Office - Norwich:
2 Courthouse Square
Fifth Floor
Norwich, CT 06360
Phone: 860-886-0139
Fax: 860-886-2974