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Robert Ruhl Simmons (born February 11 1943), American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 2001, representing the 2nd Congressional District of Connecticut (map).
Born 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 before entering the House, defeating 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.
Simmons is a member of various liberal/moderate Republican organizations such as The Republican Main Street Partnership, Republicans for Choice, The Republican Majority For Choice, Republicans For Environmental Protection and It's My Party Too.
Under Debate
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. None of the allegations against DeLay have been proven. Ronnie Earle, the Tom Delay prosecutor, has a history of indictments against Democrat and Republican political enemies that have failed (see Kay Bailey Hutchison) and it has been widely reported that Earle had to shop the charges to several grand juries because some refused to indict. One of the charges filed by Earle was summarily dismissed by trial judge Pat Priest. Earle has partnered up with producers making a movie, called The Big Buy, about his pursuit of DeLay that has been filming since before DeLay was notified of the charges.
External links
External links regarding his district (Anti-Simmons)
| Preceded bySam Gejdenson | United States Representative for the 2nd Congressional District of Connecticut 2001–Present |
Succeeded byIncumbent |
| Connecticut's current delegation to the United States Congress | |
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| Senators |
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| Representatives (ordered by district) |
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