Simms Visits Churches,

Wins Strong Support

ST. MARY’S TODAY

CALLAWAY — The African American heavyweight who made it to the top in education, politics and law recalls money was always short at home.

“Yes I am really fortunate,” Stuart O. Simms, 55, who is running in the Democratic primaries for the States Attorney’s office said. But shortage of greenbacks did not deter him from achieving his dream, Simms who was visiting St. Mary’s Sunday told ST. MARY’S TODAY.

Even today Simms’s rivals seem to have much more campaign funds than him, but Simms is confident his ambition to make the state safer and local communities stronger would once again become a reality.

Under Parris Glendenning, from 1997 to 2003, Simms was Secretary of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, one of the state’s largest agencies, with 12,000 employees and a budget of $900 million. Before that, he had served two years as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services.

Son of a school teacher mom and steel worker dad, Simms says he has been extremely fortunate. “We did not have much in terms of money,” Simms recalls growing up in Baltimore. But he said with the help of his parents, grand parents and community, he beat the odds.

“They nurtured my athletic endeavors in football,” he said. “I was all state full-back in football in high school.”

Simms is delighted local Democrats, including second ranking House Democrat Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland), Senate President Mike Miller (D-District 27) and Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton (D-District 28) have already endorsed him. “They have been my strongest supporters,” he said.

Asked if he will have access to the $700,000 in Doug Duncan’s campaign coffers, he said he would like to stay within the limits set by the law. “That money was solicited for the gubernatorial contest. I don’t think it would be appropriate to divert it to any other contest, though I think one could make such a transfer,” he said.

In the backdrop of Simms’ reputation as a highly practical man, many believe Simms seems to have been assured of funds by Democratic party stalwarts or he would not have entered the race at all.

A section of the Press questioned Simms’s desirability as it said he had first sought to run as Doug Duncan’s mate in the gubernatorial race and had a change of heart only after Duncan was diagnosed with clinical depression and dropped out of the race.

Simms explained the press reported incorrectly that he had filed to run for Lt. Governor a week after incumbent Attorney-General Joseph Curran announced he would not seek re-election. “That’s not true,” he said. “Joe Curran is a close friend of mine. I would never have run against him.” He contended he was at first interested in the states attorney’s job, but had stayed out of it out of his fondness for Curran.

He said he filed to run for Lt. Governor well before Joseph Curran made his decision not to run for re-lection and that his decision to run for Attorney General came after Curran said he would not run this time.

“After Doug Duncan decided to quit the race, Mike Miller came to me and told me that I was significantly qualified to seek the post of attorney general. I thought over it and decided to run,” he said.

Though Simms claims close friendship with Curran, the incumbent attorney-general has announced he will stay neutral in the race.

“Stu Simms began his legal career with a prominent Baltimore law firm and then spent two years as staff counsel to Senator Paul Sarbanes, before coming a federal prosecutor,” Alan Christian, one of his close supporters said.

Christian said in 1983, Simms was appointed Deputy State’s Attorney for Baltimore City. “He later became the State’s Attorney and was twice elected by the voters to four-year terms,” he said.
Simms’s rivals in the Democratic primary are from Montgomery County. Thomas Perez was head of the Montgomery County Council and Douglas Gansler has been Montgomery County State’s Attorney.

Simms is well-known in the political arena and has a track record of electoral successes in the states’ largest Baltimore area. And with Montgomery votes split between Gansler and Perez, he is mostly likely to become the Democratic frontrunner.

Simms has been helped by other factors also. One potential candidate for attorney-general, House Delegate Anthony G. Brown (D-District 25) of Prince George’s County became Mayor Martin O’Malley’s running rate, leaving the field open for Simms.

His toughest Democratic opponent is Gansler, with loads of monies. But Gansler’s desire to steal the limelight had hurt his reputation in the past, according to political analysts. Detractors dub Gansler a publicity seeker, who was censored by the state’s Court of Appeals.

In 2003, the court was annoyed when Gansler made public comments on the guilt of two men accused of murder, unbecoming of his position. The court deemed he caused material prejudice to the two and observed “improper extrajudicial statements dangerously jeopardizes” the American system of justice.

Because of Gansler’s controversial background, many among the legal fraternity may look upon Perez and Simms as having an edge over him in spite of his dollars.

Miller was said to be optimistic leading senators and Democratic elected officials will rally behind Simms, making him the frontrunner. Miller says Simms is the top choice for African Americans and top Democratic leaders alike.

Simms, on his part, has vowed his victory will ensure that consumers are protected against corporate greed. He also declares an open war on crime, violence and drug abuse.  Political pundits believe name recognition plays a major role in statewide elections and that Simms’ name association with Duncan gave him a great deal of exposure already.

Described as low-profile and conscientious, Simms graduated from the Gilman School, and earned degrees from Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School. “My competence, the fact that I have been involved in law and politics for 33 years, my experience as states attorney running the largest office in the state,” Simms said give him superiority over all his rivals.

On Sunday evening, Simms had dinner with two local leaders, Senator Roy Dyson (D-District 29) and House Delegate John Bohanan (D-District 29B) . “I talked with Senator Dyson and House Delegate Bohanan about St. Mary’s county and its issues and how I can be of assistance,” Simms said. “They have been fantastically supportive and I am hopeful we will get an announcement from them next week.”

Earlier in the day, he visited the First Missionary Baptist Church and St. Peter’s Claver on the hills. “I also visited friends in and around Lexington Park and Leonardtown,” he said.

Simms has been married for 33 years with Candace, who is a housing specialist with HUD. His two sons are both financial experts. Marcus, 29, is in Atlanta and Paul, 23 in New York.

He has been a role model for many others, not just his two sons. Simms co-chairs the Maryland Mentoring Partnership, bringing together more than 300 organizations, and spreading mentorship across the state. “I have mentored several young people. Mentoring is a key component to moving our country forward and reducing juvenile crime.”

Simms is a member of St. James Episcopal Church. “I have been a member since I was married 33 years ago,” he said.

The law firm where Simms now works is known as Brown, Goldstein & Levy and is well known for prosecuting corrupt politicians in Baltimore.

In the race, Frederick County State’s Attorney Scott L. Rolle is the leading Republican candidate.