Changes

'''Robert Ruhl Simmons''' (born February 11, 1943) served as a U.S. Representative from [[Connecticut]]'s second congressional district from 2001 through 2007. He was defeated for reelection in the 2006-midterm elections by 83 votes out of 250,000, the closest House race that year. <ref>http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/university-news/2006/11/16/simmons-concedes-closest-election-this-year/</ref> Simmons served on the Armed Services, Transportation and Homeland Security Committees. In 2007 he was appointed Business Advocate for the State of Connecticut by Governor [[Jodi Rell]].  

'''Robert Ruhl Simmons''' (born February 11, 1943) served as a U.S. Representative from [[Connecticut]]'s second congressional district from 2001 through 2007. He was defeated for reelection in the 2006-midterm elections by 83 votes out of 250,000, the closest House race that year. <ref>http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/university-news/2006/11/16/simmons-concedes-closest-election-this-year/</ref> Simmons served on the Armed Services, Transportation and Homeland Security Committees. In 2007 he was appointed Business Advocate for the State of Connecticut by Governor [[Jodi Rell]].  

Simmons is currently a candidate for the [[United States Senate]] in 2010 and leading incumbent [[Democrat]] [[Chris Dodd]] in the polls. <ref>http://www.w-r-s.com/blog/2009/07/01/survey-peter-schiff-can-be-competitive-with-chris-dodd-rob-simmons/</ref> <ref>http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1353</ref>  

Simmons was a unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination for the [[United States Senate]] in 2010. Despite earlier polls showing him leading incumbent [[Democrat]] [[Chris Dodd]] who did not seek re-election. <ref>http://www.w-r-s.com/blog/2009/07/01/survey-peter-schiff-can-be-competitive-with-chris-dodd-rob-simmons/</ref> <ref>http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1353</ref>  

A [[moderate Republican]], Rob Simmons earned a 100% rating from [[NARAL Pro-Choice America]] and voted against banning [[same-sex marriage]]. <ref>http://www.ontheissues.org/House/Rob_Simmons.htm</ref> Additionally he has voted with Democrats on environmental protection and voted in support of [[McCain-Feingold]]. <ref>http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2002/roll034.xml</ref> Despite his [[liberal]] positions on social issues, Simmons opposed [[Sonia Sotomayor]]’s nomination to the [[U.S. Supreme Court]], citing her treatment of a group of Connecticut firefighters.<ref>http://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/0809/Rob_Simmons_opposes_Sotomayor.html</ref> He has also come out against the $787 billion economic stimulus package.

A [[moderate Republican]], Rob Simmons earned a 100% rating from [[NARAL Pro-Choice America]] and voted against banning [[same-sex marriage]]. <ref>http://www.ontheissues.org/House/Rob_Simmons.htm</ref> Additionally he has voted with Democrats on environmental protection and voted in support of [[McCain-Feingold]]. <ref>http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2002/roll034.xml</ref> Despite his [[liberal]] positions on social issues, Simmons opposed [[Sonia Sotomayor]]’s nomination to the [[U.S. Supreme Court]], citing her treatment of a group of Connecticut firefighters.<ref>http://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/0809/Rob_Simmons_opposes_Sotomayor.html</ref> He has also come out against the $787 billion economic stimulus package.