Republican leader announces run for re-election
Sen. Gary Simpson, R-Milford, announced Oct. 17 he would seek re-election to the 18th Senatorial District seat.
“I have been extremely privileged to represent the people of the 18th district, and I am excited to be running for another term come next November,” Simpson said in a press release. “Tough love and common sense will be my mantra going forward in this year's campaign. We need to address real and long-term issues, and I am looking forward to having that debate.”
Simpson was first elected to the Senate in 1998, and served his third term as Senate Minority Leader in the last General Assembly.
In a press release, he said his experience and leadership could bring people together to solve common problems in today’s divisive political climate. “Today's economy presents special problems and the challenge is in bringing people with diverse political backgrounds together in order to solve tough issues,” he said. “That's one of my primary goals going forward – to find common ground.”
Simpson said, “Obviously a vibrant economy will help solve the state's fiscal problems. Unfortunately, that long awaited turn-around in the state's economy has not happened. Today, our immediate fiscal woes must be addressed with tough-minded reforms.”
Simpson, who was born in Houston, graduated from Milford High School and the University of Delaware, where he received a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. He spent another 20 years working for the university, and he was also general manager of the Delaware State Fair.
Simpson lives in Milford with his wife Debbie. The couple has three children and five grandchildren.
The 18th District includes all or parts of Milford, Harrington, Farmington, Greenwood, Lincoln, Ellendale, Houston and Slaughter Beach. Greenwood resident Gary Wolfe has also announced plans to run for the 18th district Senate seat.
