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In 2001, Simpson succeeded the retiring [[Tom Ed McHugh]] as Mayor-President by defeating Melvin "Kip" Holden, an [[African American]] [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] in the 2000 [[general election]]. Holden then unseated Simpson in 2004 and was easily reelected in the nonpartisan blanket primary in 2008. Simpson did not seek a comeback; instead Holden was opposed by two other Republican candidates, Metro council member Wayne Carter and the former Louisiana legislative auditor and [[Louisiana State University]] [[professor]] [[Dan Kyle]].​

In 2001, Simpson succeeded the retiring [[Tom Ed McHugh]] as Mayor-President by defeating Melvin "Kip" Holden, an [[African American]] [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] in the 2000 [[general election]]. Holden then unseated Simpson in 2004 and was easily reelected in the nonpartisan blanket primary in 2008. Simpson did not seek a comeback; instead Holden was opposed by two other Republican candidates, Metro council member Wayne Carter and the former Louisiana legislative auditor and [[Louisiana State University]] [[professor]] [[Dan Kyle]].​

 

Simpson was elected mayor of Baker in 1992 over the Democrat Frank C. Blackburn. In the primary, he led with 1,997 (32.4 percent) to 1,147 (31.1 percent). Two other Democratic candidates held the remaining nearly 37 percent of the vote.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns,  March 10, 1992.</ref> In the general election, Simpson defeated Blackburn, 2,100 (54.4 percent) to 1,762 (45.6 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, April 11, 1992.</ref> In 1996, Simpson defeated a fellow Republican, Lamon L. Moody, Jr., 2,022 (82.6 percent) to 425 (17.4 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, March 12, 1996.</ref> Simpson was unopposed for a third term as mayor in March 2000, but he served less than a year thereafter upon winning election as East Baton Rouge Mayor-President. In the seeking the greater position, Simpson claimed that he had saved the city of Baker millions through careful budgeting and financial management.<ref name=bio/>​

Simpson was elected mayor of Baker in 1992 over the Democrat Frank C. Blackburn. In the primary, he led with 1,997 (32.4 percent) to 1,147 (31.1 percent). Two other Democratic candidates held the remaining nearly 37 percent of the vote.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns,  March 10, 1992.</ref> In the general election, Simpson defeated Blackburn, 2,100 (54.4 percent) to 1,762 (45.6 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, April 11, 1992.</ref> In 1996, Simpson defeated a fellow Republican, Lamon L. Moody, Jr., 2,022 (82.6 percent) to 425 (17.4 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, March 12, 1996.</ref> Simpson was unopposed for a third term as mayor in March 2000, but he served less than a year thereafter upon winning election as East Baton Rouge Mayor-President. In the seeking the greater position, Simpson claimed that he had saved the city of Baker millions through careful budgeting and financial management.<ref name=bio/>​

 

Six candidates, four Republicans and two Democrats, contested the October 2000 primary for Mayor-President. Democrat Holden led with 34,780 votes  (31.2 percent), and Simpson trailed with 27,928 (25.1 percent). Republican Rolfe H. McCollister finished third with 21,850 votes (19.6 percent). Three other candidates held the remaining 24 percent. One of those unsuccessful candidates was Republican Fred Columbus Dent, Jr. (1937–2010), a former [[United States Army]] Green Beret and the son of  [[Lucille May Grace]], a Democrat who served for multiple terms as the Louisiana Register of State Lands, no longer an elected statewide position. Fred Dent, Jr., drew 6 percent of the vote.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 7, 2000. Simpson then defeated Holden in the November 7 general election with 93,952 (56.9 percent) to 71,087 (43.1 percent). Simpson outpolled Republican [[U.S. President|presidential]] nominee [[George W. Bush]] in East Baton Rouge Parish, who received 89,128 votes (52.7 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 7, 2000.</ref>​

Six candidates, four Republicans and two Democrats, contested the October 2000 primary for Mayor-President. Democrat Holden led with 34,780 votes  (31.2 percent), and Simpson trailed with 27,928 (25.1 percent). Republican Rolfe H. McCollister finished third with 21,850 votes (19.6 percent). Three other candidates held the remaining 24 percent. One of those unsuccessful candidates was Republican Fred Columbus Dent, Jr. (1937–2010), a former [[United States Army]] Green Beret and the son of  [[Lucille May Grace]], a Democrat who served for multiple terms as the Louisiana Register of State Lands, no longer an elected statewide position. Fred Dent, Jr., drew 6 percent of the vote.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 7, 2000. Simpson then defeated Holden in the November 7 general election with 93,952 (56.9 percent) to 71,087 (43.1 percent). Simpson outpolled Republican [[U.S. President|presidential]] nominee [[George W. Bush]] in East Baton Rouge Parish, who received 89,128 votes (52.7 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 7, 2000.</ref>​

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