CT Patch Candidate Profile: Nick Simmons For State Senator
STAMFORD, CT — Election Day on Nov. 5 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot in Stamford.
Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing the state and city.
Candidate's Name
Nick Simmons
What office are you seeking?
State Senate, CT-36
State Senate District CT 36
Campaign website
What city or town do you live in?
Party affiliation
Democrat (but crossed endorsed by the Independent Party)
Yale University (BA) Harvard Business School (MBA) Harvard Kennedy School (MPA)
Currently, State Senate candidate. After graduating from Yale University, I briefly worked on Wall Street before pursuing my passion for education. I became a 7th-grade math teacher at a middle school in Harlem, and by the age of 26, I was one of the youngest Acting Principals in New York State. After earning my graduate degree (HKS MPP and HBS MBA), I joined Governor Ned Lamont's administration, eventually serving as Deputy Chief of Staff. In 2021, I was appointed as a Senior Advisor in the Biden Administration, where I helped lead the Department of Education's efforts to reopen schools nationwide during COVID-19.
Yes, I have a wonderful wife, Rachel, and together we have a young son.
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
My sister is the mayor of Stamford, CT.
Previous public office, appointive or elective
After graduate school, I joined Governor Ned Lamont's administration, where I served as Deputy Chief of Staff. In 2021, I was appointed as a Senior Advisor in the Biden Administration, working closely with the Department of Education to ensure the safe reopening of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why are you seeking this office?
I'm running for State Senate because I believe we need new leadership that focuses on progress, not extremist politics. The incumbent, Ryan Fazio, has consistently voted against key issues like reproductive freedom and gun safety, refusing to disavow Donald Trump's harmful actions. Instead of focusing on the needs of our community, he's been aligned with an extremist agenda that neglects our district's priorities.
What do you believe is the No. 1 issue facing Connecticut, and how do you plan to address it?
One of the biggest issues Connecticut faces is the rising cost of living, which impacts everything from energy prices to housing affordability to healthcare and education. I plan to work on bipartisan solutions that ease the financial burden on families, while ensuring our state remains a great place to live and work. Investing in workforce development, supporting small businesses, and creating a more robust housing strategy are all priorities I plan to address if elected. And I've already released policy plans for housing and lowering energy costs in the area.
There have been an alarming number of deaths on Connecticut's roadways. Is there anything from a legislative standpoint that can be done to address that?
Yes, addressing the increase in roadway fatalities must be a top priority. For the past three years, we've sent a Republican to Hartford who focused on an extremist agenda instead of advocating for more funding for our district. This has left our infrastructure, including roads, dangerously neglected. Our corridor of I-95 is still the most congested highway in America, and Metro-North remains unreliable. It's time for new leadership that will prioritize infrastructure improvements. I'm committed to making our roads safer by investing in infrastructure upgrades, such as redesigning dangerous intersections and expanding traffic-calming measures. We need to ensure that state funds are used to fix these critical issues in our district.
What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
The key difference between me and the incumbent, Ryan Fazio, is my commitment to practical solutions over partisan politics. While Fazio votes for extremist positions like undercutting gun safety (voting against HB-6667) and opposing reproductive freedom (voting against HB 5414,), I believe in focusing on the real needs of our district— lowering the cost of living, making Connecticut safer through common sense gun laws, and defending reproductive freedom. Additionally, I'm proud to have the cross-endorsement of the Independent Party of Connecticut, making me the first Democrat in the history of Senate District 36 to earn this honor. This isn't just a win for our campaign—it's a clear sign that the district wants a different type of leader that will place the needs of the community over anything else.
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
In my role as a Senior Advisor in the Biden Administration, I led critical efforts to reopen schools during the COVID-19 pandemic—one of the most challenging times for our country. This required navigating complex problems, working across agencies, and uniting stakeholders around common goals. As Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Lamont, I played a key role in numerous initiatives to improve state operations and respond to urgent crises such as helping implement offshore wind projects and workforce development projects. My experience in both state and federal government has prepared me to serve effectively
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
As a Greenwich native and current Stamford resident, I am deeply committed to making Connecticut a better place to live and work. Whether it's protecting a woman's right to choose, strengthening gun safety laws, improving infrastructure, or lowering the cost of living, I will bring my experience and my passion for public service to the State Senate. I'm proud to have earned the endorsement of both the Democratic and Independent Parties because I believe that by working together across party lines, we can achieve real results for the people of Greenwich, Stamford, and New Canaan.
