Lauren Ashley Simmons
Lauren Ashley Simmons | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 146th district | |
| Assumed office January 14, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Shawn Thierry |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Texas at Austin |
| Website | Campaign website |
Lauren Ashley Simmons is an American politician. She represents the 146th district of the Texas House of Representatives.[1]
Early life and career
Simmons was born in Houston, Texas, and grew up in the Third Ward. She graduated from Jack Yates High School and the University of Texas at Austin. She has a son and a daughter, the first of which she had during her freshman year of college, with her husband.[2][3] She identities as queer.[4]
After graduating, Simmons worked as a resident services director and as a union organizer at the Texas State Employees Union. In 2023, a video of her criticizing the Houston Independent School District takeover went viral, with one post garnering nearly 9 million views.[3]
Texas House of Representatives
In the 2024 election, Simmons challenged incumbent Shawn Thierry for the 146th district of the Texas House of Representatives. In May of that year, Thierry broke ranks with her party to vote in favor of a bill to ban gender affirming care for minors and also voted in favor of banning transgender people from participating in gendered sports.[5][6][7][8]
On March 5, Simmons advanced to a runoff election against Thierry with 49% of the vote, just under the 50% threshold to win the Democratic primary election outright.[9][4][10] On May 28, Simmons defeated Thierry with 65% of the vote.[11] After losing the primary election, Thierry joined the Republican.[12]
In November 2024, she defeated Republican Lance York, winning 77.7% of the vote. She succeeded Shawn Thierry. She assumed office on January 14, 2025.
References
- ^ "Lauren Ashley Simmons". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ Zuvanich, Adam (May 29, 2024). "Lauren Ashley Simmons looking toward Texas Capitol after unseating state Rep. Shawn Thierry in lopsided primary runoff". Houston Public Media. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ a b Gainey, Blaise (May 13, 2025). "Meet Rep. Lauren Simmons, a mother and freshman lawmaker from Houston's Third Ward". Texas Standard. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
- ^ a b Reed, Erin (May 29, 2024). "Anti-trans Texas Democrat loses primary to queer woman". Washington Blade. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
- ^ Goldenstein, Taylor (June 10, 2023). "Houston Democrat's support of transgender care ban, anti-LGBTQ measures has roiled the party". Houston Chronicle.
- ^ Nguyen, Alex; Melhado, William (May 12, 2023). "Pivotal House vote moves Texas closer to banning puberty blockers, hormone treatments for trans kids". The Texas Tribune.
- ^ Nguyen, Alex; Melhado, William (May 15, 2023). "Texas moves closer to banning puberty blockers for trans kids". CBS News.
- ^ McGaughy, Lauren (May 12, 2023). "Texas is one step from banning gender affirming medical care for transgender youth". The Dallas Morning News.
- ^ Scherer, Jasper (May 29, 2024). "Lauren Ashley Simmons declares victory over Texas Rep. Shawn Thierry, who broke with Democrats on LGBTQ+ votes". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ Zuvanich, Adam (March 6, 2024). "State Rep. Shawn Thierry, a Houston Democrat who voted with Republicans on anti-LGBTQ+ bills, headed to likely primary runoff". Houston Public Media.
- ^ Goldenstein, Taylor. "Lauren Ashley Simmons defeats Houston state Rep. Shawn Thierry". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ Goldenstein, Taylor (August 30, 2024). "Outgoing Houston state Rep. Shawn Thierry says she's joining the GOP". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 1, 2024.