Todd Simmons
Non-Partisan | Texas
Candidate Profile
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Todd Simmons
Party
Non-Partisan
Election Year
2025
Election
May Uniform
Race
Mansfield City Council - Special Election, District 5
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Louisiana Tech University, Rustion, Political Science, 1988
Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, Accounting, 1990
Centenary College, Shreveport, MBA, 1997
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Walnut Ridge Baptist Church, Deacon, Finance Committee, Kiwanis Club of Mansfield
President, Lt. Gov, City of Mansfield, Citizens Committee on Future Land Use, MEDC - Board President
Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, Advisory Board, Various Fund Raising Committees, Mansfield ISD
Districtwide Education Improvement Committee, several Site Based Committees, Mansfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Board Member - Chair
Mansfield Rotary Club - Noon Club, Member, Allies in Youth
Contributor/Volunteer, City of Shreveport, LA, Accountant, Customer Service Manager, Assistant Director of W&S
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
none
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
none
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
friends and family
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
I believe the Bible is clear on this subject.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
See above.
ECONOMY
I support using taxpayer funds to lobby the state legislature and/or U.S. Congress.
Strongly Disagree
Taxpayer funds should be used to support the government services that benefit the taxpayers
It is the responsibility of city government to provide subsidized housing at taxpayer expense.
Disagree
We should encourage a wide array of price points, not use city funds to support housing that families cannot afford.
Property taxes should be abolished.
Disagree
We either pay sales tax, income tax, or property tax. Getting rid of property tax will increase one or both of the other two.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Government should not discriminate against individuals, organizations, or business owners who affirm marriage as between one man and one woman.
Strongly Agree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Agree
At this point, we are not experiencing persecution like in other parts of the world, but I do believe the church is not highly favored by many in this country.
IMMIGRATION
City officials should have the right to proclaim their city a sanctuary city for illegal aliens.
Strongly Disagree
Illegal is illegal, which means the law was broken. I don't think cities should be able to defy Federal Law.
VALUES
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I was saved as a young teenager. God is the sovereign creator and planner who sent HIs Son, Jesus to die for the sins of all who believe in HIm. The Holy Spirit was sent to us after Christ returned to Heaven as a helper and guide. Believers should strive to live like Christ, help others, worship God, share the Gospel.
Children have the right to be protected from sexually explicit materials in publicly funded libraries, including school libraries.
Agree
Because of the internet and wide use of cell phones, sexually explicit materials are at the finger tips of everyone. I do have a problem with making these materials available in schools. Not sure that any questions relating to sexual materials are on any state required tests.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
ID is required to buy alcohol, check in at the doctor, purchase a home or car, check in to a hotel. ID should be required to vote.
All filings by candidates for municipal office, including ballot application and campaign finance reports, should be available for public online access on the city website within 24 hours of filing deadline.
Agree
As long as staff is available, 24 to 48 hours, seems reasonable.
Ballot measures which include bond issues should fully disclose both the potential tax rate increase and actual monetary increase for the average single family residence.
Agree
But I have an issue with the ballot saying there will be a tax increase if no tax increase is planned. Anytime a bond issue will increase taxes, that should be disclosed.
EQUALITY
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
Not sure any more explanation is required.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) instruction should be required for all city employees.
Disagree
In 2025, the most qualified candidate should be hired. We need to get past all other issues and concentrate on experience, education, qualifications.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Taxpayers should subsidize green initiatives such as electric vehicle charging stations.
Strongly Disagree
If charging stations are needed, the free market should dictate when and where they are built. Government has no business affecting the free market.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
NO
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
NO
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Municipal government should provide public safety (police and fire), public works, (streets, drainage, water and sewer), planning and zoning, permits and inspections. Safety and infrastructure. There is also a responsibility to help manage periods of high growth. There needs to be some order and system to how vacant land is used in order to preserve the consistency and continuity of the municipality.
Candidates and officeholders should be required to disclose all business investments and real estate, whether in the city or in an area currently proposed for annexation.
Agree
When a candidate or officeholder stands to personally benefit financially from a deal the city is working, that should be disclosed. There is a certain expectation that our city leaders should be working in the best interest of the citizens and not just for themselves.
Please list your business investments and/or real estate, whether within the city or in an area currently proposed for annexation.
I currently rent an office in The Tuscan Executive Suites at 600 Strada Circle and pay a mortgage at 1406 Merion Dr. All other investments are in accounts with LPL Financial that I manage in my business.
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to immigration and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Conservative
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
2014 Republican Primary 2014 General Election 2016 Republican Primary 2016 General Election 2018 Republican Primary 2018 General Election 2020 Republican Primary 2020 General Election 2022 Republican Primary 2022 General Election
To the best of me recollection.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Disagree
We need to make sure our police, especially those on the street, are well compensated. If other programs are available to help the police better manage situation such as mental health issues, homelessness, or domestic disputes, then I would agree to fund those, but not at the expense of funding the police.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Individuals with mental health deficiencies should not have access to firearms. I don't know the best way to implement that since gunowners can sell to individuals. More restrictions on ownership are not the answer in my opinion. Shootings are a mental health issue.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Disagree
There seems to be an increase in the use of marijuana across the US. I am afraid legalizing it would result in an increase in the use of it.
LOCAL
I support annual financial audits of every city department by an independent, third party auditor.
Agree
As a former auditor, I do support annual audits.
Please list up to three issues or projects that you think need the most attention.
1. full evaluation of our street infrastructure program to improve how we get around town. 2. detailed analysis of our rank and file, on the street, city employees to ensure a competitive wage/salary commensurate with the work being done. 3. Consider providing a detailed analysis of any new projects coming to town that lays out pros and cons of why the city made the decision to vote yes or no.
