Connie Simmons
Democrat | Missouri
Candidate Profile*
Leans Liberal
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Connie Simmons
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Representative, Dist. 53
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
UCM, Warrensburg, MS, 97
UCM, Warrensburg, BSE, 83
Holden High School, Holden, diploma, 79
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Odessa Chamber of Commerce, current member, First Baptist Church Centerview
teacher, youth director, treasurer, MU Extension Council, current member
Mom Hugs, Johnson County Democrats
council member, Kappa Omicron Phi, Voc Home Ec honor society
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
MO House, 2018
Race
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
LIBERAL (3)
*Missouri Health Care Action
Missouri Women's Leadership Coalition
Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri
OTHER (1)
Missouri State Teachers Association Impact Committee
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE*
*Additional information was received after the evaluation was assigned and was not considered in the Panel Evaluations, therefore it is for additional educational purposes only.
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
No Answer
I support the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which requires health care providers to provide life-saving treatment for infants who survive an attempted abortion.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
in cases of incest or rape and when the pregnancy is a health risk to the mother. My firm belief that each person has the right to freedom and the protection of the Constitution of the United States prevents me from forcing my beliefs and views on others.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Pay for government officials and eliminating the pension to representatives after only serving a short time in office. What other job gives a full retirement after only 6 years of service?
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Agree
Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.
Disagree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Agree
I promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles.
Yes
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
That the government has no right dictating to me who and how I worship. That is a totally private issue between me and my Lord. My firm belief that each person has the right to freedom and the protection of the Constitution of the United States prevents me from forcing my religious views on others.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Agree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
unfortunately at a state level not much can be done on this subject but I would support enacting of the expanded Medicare that was recently passed in our state to quickly get resources to those needing it the most, our children. Our healthcare system needs a complete overhaul and I honestly do not know the best way of going about that.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
IMMIGRATION
I am in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.
Disagree
State and federal funds should be denied to any public or private entity, including but not limited to sanctuary cities, that are not in compliance with immigration laws.
Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Those who are seeking asylum need to be vetted and allowed to immigrate when they are willing and able to become productive members of society.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Neutral
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a born again Christian. I believe in Baptism by immersion and that I have been cleansed of my sin by the blood of Christ. I believe the Bible is the inerrant word of God and is not open for interpretation. My firm belief that each person has the right to freedom and the protection of the Constitution of the United States prevents me from forcing my views on others.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and immigration, which of the following best describes you overall?
Moderate
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
my website for the campaign will open up to who I am and my beliefs. www.simmons4house53.com My firm belief that each person has the right to freedom and the protection of the Constitution of the United States prevents me from forcing my views on others.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have a Master's Degree in Counseling therefore I am a trained Listener, Advocate and Conflict Mediator. These skills make me uniquely qualified to help resolve issues in Jefferson City to get our government working together and for the people of the state.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
no
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I have always prided myself on being bluntly honest and as a counselor I always had an open door policy. Students, parents, teachers, anyone knew that they could come and talk to me at any time. As a representative I would continue that policy and would rely on people in my district to tell me what they want done in Jeff City. I do not have any agenda going into office but to serve my community. They only way to do that is by open communication.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
No Answer
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
No
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
As a gun owner, I believe we need to make sure that owners know the proper use and care of a weapon. We need thorough background checks and enforcement of those checks to keep weapons out of the hands of those who may suffer from mental issues.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Neutral
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Agree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Neutral
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
Fully funding Education on the state level without the use of the extra moneys provided by legalized gambling. Support for family farms and their continuation Support for infrastructure to include rural internet
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
yes. We cannot be a secure and peaceful country if we do not have trust between people of all colors. We have to stop any discrimination and fight against profiling.
