Sarita Simmons

Sarita Simmons (born May 14, 1977) is an American politician, serving in the Mississippi State Senate from the 13th district since 2020.^[1]

Sarita Simmons
Member of the Mississippi Senate from the 13th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 7, 2020
Preceded by	Willie Lee Simmons
Personal details
Born	Sarita Simmons (1977-05-14) May 14, 1977 (age 48) Cleveland, Mississippi, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	Alcorn State University

Early life and education

Simmons was born in Cleveland, Mississippi.^[1] Her father is Willie Lee Simmons, former Mississippi Senate member from the 13th district and current Central District Transportation Commissioner.^[2] Her mother was the Bolivar County Circuit Clerk, the first African American since Reconstruction to serve that post.^[2] Simmons attended Cleveland High School and graduated from Alcorn State University with a bachelor's in education and psychology.^[1][3]

Career

Simmons has worked as the general manager for the family-owned restaurant, The Senator's Place, which is located in Cleveland, Mississippi.^[2][4] When her father didn't file for re-election for the 13th district, she decided to run. The district encompasses parts of Bolivar, Sunflower, and Tallahatchie counties.^[5] She received 42.1% of the vote in the Democratic primary election and 65.1% in the general election; she assumed office on January 7, 2020.^[6]

In the Mississippi Senate, she serves as vice-chair for the Investigate State Offices Committee and is a member on the following committees: Agriculture; Appropriations; Corrections; Drug Policy; Environment Prot, Cons, and Water Res; Labor; Ports and Marine Resources; and State Library.^[1]

Political positions

Simmons, in partnership with Senator Walter Michel, authored a bill to allow wine sales in grocery stores; the bipartisan bill died in the Senate Finance Committee.^[7]

In coordination with several Delta Legislators, Simmons created a multi-step plan to address conditions at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Sunflower County, an infamous prison located in Simmon's 13th district.^[8][9][10] This came after lawmakers proposed additional cuts for funding to the Mississippi Department of Corrections.^[11]

She voted for changing the Mississippi state flag.^[12]

Personal life

She is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, NAACP, National Council of Negro Women, and the Bolivar County Democratic Executive Committee.^[1] She is a Christian.^[1]