Hi, my name is Connie Simmons and I am running for Missouri House in District 53. I am a retired School Counselor and currently own a gift shop/boutique in downtown Odessa. I am running for office with no hidden agenda and the idea that a representative is to honestly and consistently Represent those in their District. With this in mind I would and do have an open door policy at all times. Have you ever tried to get ahold of our representative to share your thoughts? Did you even get a automated response? No response at all? That needs to change and I want to be part of that change. As a representative I will rely completely on what you, the voters in district 53, tell me to do. I realize everyone has different ideas but I will keep track of what the majority wants and promise to vote accordingly. Yes, even if it is not my first choice. If the majority wants me to vote for or against something, that is what I will do. You choose! I need to have all of you reach out and let me know your e-mail addresses so that we can build a database of District 53 both Democrat and Republican. We are all Missourians and all Americans and need to act as such. ​

Thank you to all who voted for me in the Primary yesterday. I am humbled by the response and the number who put their faith in me. The war is not won though. It will be an uphill battle from here to win our seat in the House. I say our seat because that is exactly what it is. District 53 has a seat in the Missouri House of Representatives and you and I and everyone else here fills it. I know that in the past the representatives from our district did not find out what I preferred or wanted when they made decisions. Some even just did things to make themselves look good or important. That is not the way our government was set up. The first representatives were a volunteer non paying position. They made decisions based on where they were from and what the people in their area needed or wanted. We need to return government to that idea. Since when is every idea that a Democrat comes up with is wrong? or every idea that a Republican comes up with is wrong? Our elected officials need to be Americans first, Missourians second and way down the line whichever party they belong to. I am probably making some Democrats feel a little uncomfortable saying that, but I am sick of the division in our government. Nothing gets done if we don't discuss and come to mutual agreements. I think of the words of our Lord and Savior found in Matthew, 12:25: “And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.”. It is time for change back to what government was meant to be. Please support my campaign and get our message out.