Caroline Simmons

Caroline Simmons (born February 10, 1986) is an American politician serving as the mayor of Stamford, Connecticut.

She earned her bachelor's degree from Harvard College in 2008, where she majored in Government.

While in college, Simmons played on the varsity lacrosse team and spent a semester studying abroad at the American University in Egypt.

After graduating Harvard she worked on Barack Obama's Presidential Transition Team, before accepting a job at the Department of Homeland Security.

At the Department of Homeland Security, Simmons served as Director of Special Projects in the Counterterrorism Coordinator's Office and traveled to Kabul many times for her work.

Simmons also earned a Master of Arts degree in Middle East Studies from the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University in 2011.

A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served as State Representative for Connecticut's 144th District, where she was the youngest female legislator in Connecticut state office.

She is married to former Republican State Senator Art Linares.

Simmons won the 2021 Stamford mayoral election, becoming the city's first female mayor.

Simmons was born in Greenwich, Connecticut and raised in a family of five children with a Democratic mother and Republican father.

She was the president of her high school, captain of three varsity sports and a two-time All-American lacrosse player.

In 2014, Simmons became a state representative candidate for the 144th district.

Simmons defeated incumbent Republican Michael Molgano with 53.8% of the vote, and was the only Connecticut Democrat in 2014 to defeat an incumbent Republican.

In 2016, Simmons won re-election, defeating her challenger with 67% of the vote.

In 2018 and 2020, Simmons won re-election, while pregnant during both elections.

In her first term, Simmons Introduced or co-sponsored 53 bi-partisan bills, two which reduced regulations for small businesses and six of which lowered taxes on hospitals, businesses, and residents.

She also secured $65 million in funding for schools, passed legislation improving public safety, gun safety, and pedestrian safety, and co-sponsored legislation for a Connecticut Competitiveness Council.

Simmons introduced and led debate on a bill to enhance the state's cyber security.

During her second term, Simmons continued advocating for improvements to Stamford public schools, infrastructure, and public safety.

She was appointed as Chair of the Commerce Committee, becoming one of the youngest women to ever do so.

As chair, she has focused on small business development and job growth, especially given the COVID-19 pandemic.

On February 10, 2021, Simmons declared her run for mayor of Stamford, Connecticut in the 2021 Stamford mayoral election.

Simmons was endorsed by the Stamford Democratic City Committee against two-term incumbent Mayor David Martin.

Simmons was also endorsed by the Independent Party of Connecticut.

Martin collected enough signatures to force a Democratic primary election which took place on September 14, 2021.

Simmons defeated Martin in a landslide, winning the majority of votes in every voting district.

Simmons had raised over $239,000 for her primary campaign, outpacing Martin's $78,000.

Simmons faced unaffiliated candidate Bobby Valentine in the general election.

The Republican-endorsed candidate dropped out prior to the Democratic primary and endorsed Valentine.

The race attracted several high-profile donors, amounting to a total of $1.2M between both candidates.

Simmons garnered national attention after she announced she was expecting her third child, and again when she was endorsed by President Barack Obama.

The race was characterized as "tense" with Simmons claiming Valentine had used misogynistic language and Valentine claiming Simmons was ageist.

Initial results on election night indicated a close race, but absentee ballots swung heavily in Simmons' favor resulting in a 5-point victory.

Valentine originally claimed duplicate ballots may have influenced the result, but conceded soon afterward.

Valentine did not contact Simmons on election night, and characterized local press coverage as "lousy", adding he could not compliment Simmons' victory "with an open heart and clear mind."

Prior to being sworn into office, Mayor-elect Simmons appointed State Senator Patricia Billie Miller, Cradle to Career President Bridget Fox, and Stamford Health President Kathleen Silard to serve as co-chairs for her transition team.

Miller was the most senior legislator among the Stamford delegation and an ally to Simmons throughout her mayoral campaign.

Fox previously served in the City of Stamford under Mayors Malloy and Pavia.

Fox was later appointed as Simmons' chief of staff.

After being sworn in as Mayor, Simmons announced she would retain two cabinet members from the previous administration: Sandra Dennies as Director of Administration, and Ted Jankowski as Director of Public Safety, Health, and Welfare.