The Party

Rex Simmons
House District 40

I am a Democratic candidate for Delegate to the Virginia General Assembly from the 40th District, serving areas of southwestern Fairfax County surrounding Fairfax Station, Clifton, Centreville, and part of Fairfax.

The General Assembly works with the Governor to decide how to spend our state tax money and writes the state laws that we must follow. We should have a Delegate who can get results, keep our region prosperous, and improve our quality of life.

As a long time resident of this District and Fairfax County, I understand the issues that we all care about: traffic, public schools, environmental protection, health care, and public safety. My 32 years of government experience as an executive and auditor will help us be sure our money is wisely invested and that government agencies, like the Virginia Department of Transportation, are held accountable for how they perform.

Before becoming a candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates, I served the public in the federal government for 32 years, working to improve government operations and accountability. For over 16 of those years, I was a top executive serving as assistant inspector general for two bank regulatory agencies-experience that broadened my understanding of the nation's financial system and what is needed to achieve economic success for our families, communities, state, and nation.

Before that, I spent over 15 years as an auditor with the Government Accountability Office, commonly known as the "investigative arm of Congress" or the "congressional watchdog." While there, I examined how taxpayer dollars were spent and advised lawmakers and agency heads on ways to make government work better. I also played a key role in advising Congress to establish Offices of Inspector General in every major federal agency and department to improve their accountability and combat fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement.

Throughout my government career, from which I retired on January 3, 2007, I worked with politicians from both political parties to find common sense approaches for making government work better.

I stay current with best practices in government accountability and financial management through my membership in the Association of Government Accountants and as a Certified Government Financial Manager.

I was born in 1951 and grew up in Columbia, North Carolina-a small town near the Outer Banks. My desire for public service began as a young boy by helping my Dad campaign for election to the local Board of Education and later observing his service on the town's Board of Aldermen. After graduating at the top of my high school class, I attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating with a bachelor's degree in political science. I moved to Washington, DC in 1973 to attend graduate school at The American University where I earned a master's degree in public administration. I later continued my education in government service at the Federal Executive Institute in Charlottesville, Virginia.

My college sweetheart, Nancy, and I have been married for over 32 years. We made Fairfax County our home in 1977 and have been Fairfax Station homeowners for over 26 years. While we both pursued our professional careers, we have been active in the community through organizations that include school and booster clubs, the PTSA, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and little league basketball. I also led charity fundraising at work that has collected thousands of dollars for local and national charities. Our two children-Andy and Emily-attended Fairfax County Public Schools and graduated from W.T. Woodson High School in Fairfax before heading off to college.

 

 

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