Basic Information
Full Name: Nicholas Simmons
Office Sought: State Senate 36th District
Contact Information
Email: Nick@nicksimmonsforct.com
Tel: 203-247-3547
General Questions
Top Three Priorities if Elected
My top priority is addressing the rising cost of living, which affects everything from energy prices and housing affordability to healthcare and education. I am committed to working on bipartisan solutions that alleviate the financial pressures on families while ensuring Connecticut remains an exceptional place to live and work. If elected, I will prioritize investing in workforce development, supporting small businesses, and implementing a robust housing strategy. I’ve already released policy plans focused on affordable housing and lowering energy costs in our state.
Another key priority is safeguarding access to abortion and reproductive rights. We are just a few political shifts away from extreme anti-choice forces potentially controlling the Presidency, the Senate, the House, and the Supreme Court—along with an attorney general who might push for a national abortion coordinator. I am dedicated to ensuring that Connecticut remains a safe haven for women who seek to exercise their reproductive freedom.
Lastly, I am committed to keeping Connecticut’s gun laws strong. I am proud of my work in the Governor’s office when we passed one of the nation’s most comprehensive gun safety bills. I’m honored to have the support of Sandy Hook survivor and gun safety advocate Nicole Melchionno, who is volunteering for my campaign, and to have earned an A rating from CT Against Gun Violence.
Professional, Volunteer, or Public Service Experience
After graduating from Yale University, I initially worked on Wall Street before becoming a 7th-grade math teacher at a middle school in Harlem. By the age of 26, I was one of the youngest Acting Principals in New York State.
I hold an MBA from Harvard and a master’s in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School. After completing my graduate school, I joined Governor Ned Lamont’s administration as Deputy Chief of Staff. In 2021, I was appointed Senior Advisor in the Biden Administration, where I worked closely with the Department of Education to ensure the safe reopening of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.
My experience in education, public service, and government at both the state and federal levels has equipped me to effectively advocate for policies that enhance the quality of life for all of our district’s residents. I am committed to leverage my experience to ensure our communities are safe, women’s rights are protected, our economy remains strong, and the cost of living is manageable.
Policy Questions
Local Control: How do you propose to protect your district’s control over zoning decisions? What is your approach to balancing affordable housing needs with preserving the town’s character?
8-30g or any law that empowers a developer to unilaterally come in and build wherever they want is a flawed law.
When I worked for the Governor, I was proud to be part of the senior team that helped pass a bill that included $800 million to incentivize new housing in the state. That should be the role of the state: to be incentivizing financially, empowering and partnering with towns instead of ramming in a one-size-fits-all approach.
For these reasons, I will support the decisions of the New Canaan Affordable Housing Committee.
Utilities: What steps have you taken/will you take to address rising costs of electricity, natural gas, and water?
The costs of energy are too high–we’ve got to make a change. That’s why I have a 5-point plan for addressing rising energy costs in the district. It includes advocating for more diversity in our electric source; pushing for more federal funding and state bonding for Connecticut’s energy sector, particularly through grants from the Inflation Reduction Act and Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Bill (I’d note that we just missed out on much of this funding for instance in current announcement of grants); promoting a competitive energy market by supporting all zero-carbon energy sources equally—wind, solar, hydropower, and nuclear; strengthening oversight of utility companies to ensure fair pricing, scrutinize rate increases, and demand transparency; and forming regional coalitions with neighboring states to negotiate better energy deals. With my background in business and negotiation, I am ready to lead these discussions and secure better outcomes for Connecticut.
Please explain your stand on the current situation with Aquarion.
Regarding Aquarion, I am weary of allowing another government bureaucratic agency to oversee a key part of our infrastructure as it could lead to increases in monthly water prices for consumers. I would be more supportive of a private sale. That said, I am deeply concerned about the rates of PFAs discovered in our water supply and so the State should require any purchaser to meet strict quality inspections and standards for water quality.
Economy: How will you address the economic challenges posed by inflation? What legislative measures will you support to ease the financial burden on households and businesses in your district?
There are numerous things we should be doing in Hartford to make it easier for families to get by. I would start by cutting numerous taxes like the car tax, the gift tax, and the estate cost. If we do that we can bring back some of our highest earners and contributors to the budget overall.
We also need to address rising energy price hikes and climate related insurance costs, as discussed in my policy plans.
Supermajority: What does having a supermajority in the Connecticut legislature mean to you and to your district?
It’s not just about having more Democrats or Republicans—it’s about having leaders who can work across the aisle to get things done. Having a moderate in the majority who is going to be able to work with both parties in a bipartisan fashion…well that’s going to make a bigger difference than having 13 Republican State Senators versus 12.
For example, we’ve seen how a coalition of Democratic representatives has successfully secured state funding for local schools, helping to improve education and directly benefiting our children. When we focus on shared goals rather than party lines, we can deliver real results for our district. If elected, I will continue this approach, ensuring that we not only leverage the power of the supermajority but also foster cooperation that serves all of Connecticut’s residents.
Bipartisanship: How would you describe the current political environment in Connecticut? If elected, how will you contribute to improving the tone of political discourse and foster cooperation among different political viewpoints?
We have a relatively friendly political climate in Connecticut, but we are seeing less cooperation between Republicans and Democrats these days.
I consider myself a moderate, and I’m proud to be the first Democrat in this seat to earn the endorsement of the Independent Party. My background reflects a commitment to bipartisanship—I grew up interning for Republican Congressman Christopher Shays, and I’ve worked for Democratic Governor Ned Lamont. These experiences have given me a strong foundation for fostering cooperation and driving solutions that benefit everyone, regardless of political affiliation. It’s crucial that we work across the aisle and focus on common-sense solutions that prioritize the needs of our community.
Your View: What should we have asked that we did not?
What am I doing to protect our coastlines from flooding—and save district residents money in flood insurance and home repairs?
Nearly half of all the homes in Old Greenwich, Tod’s Point and Byram are at risk for severe flooding, and we need to act now. It’s not just a problem for the future—it’s happening right now in our communities. I’m committed to finding solutions that will protect both our coastline and the people who live here.
We have to prioritize increasing state and federal funding to help safeguard our coastline infrastructure from the kind of severe weather and flooding we’re already seeing. It’s crucial that we take steps to protect vulnerable areas, including homes and businesses in my district, before it’s too late.
But it’s not just about defending against flooding. I also see an opportunity for Connecticut to lead the way in clean energy innovation. By focusing on reducing energy costs and creating thousands of new jobs, we can position our state for a greener, more sustainable future. I’m going to ensure that our legislature makes smart investments, providing targeted subsidies where they’re needed most. This isn’t just about the environment—it’s about giving families relief from high energy costs and seizing the economic opportunities that come with being at the forefront of clean energy. We can protect our communities, create jobs, and combat climate change all at once. And I’m determined to make it happen.
