Bryan Simonaire

Simonaire was born in Baltimore. He graduated from Bob Jones University in 1985, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science, and from Loyola College, where he earned a Master of Science degree in engineering in 2005. He is a member of Upsilon Pi Epsilon.

After graduating from Bob Jones, Simonaire has worked as a computer systems engineer for Westinghouse Electronic Systems (now Northrop Grumman since its acquisition in 1995). In 2002, he founded Heroes-at-Home, a web-based program that helps the needy.{{cite news |last1=de Vise |first1=Daniel |title=As Jimeno Retires, GOP Has Hopes For Senate Seat Republican Support Rising in District |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2006/05/25/as-jimeno-retires-gop-has-hopes-for-senate-seat-span-classbankheadrepublican-support-rising-in-district-span/12f06d3f-c927-47a3-b627-5e6fdcb378ab/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=May 25, 2006}}

Simonaire became involved in politics in 2005, when he joined the North Count Republican Club's board of directors. He entered the race for state Senate in District 31 later that year, seeking to succeed retiring Democratic state senator Philip C. Jimeno and running on a "common sense, conservative"{{cite news |last1=de Vise |first1=Daniel |title=Open Seats Make for Abundant Choices |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2006/08/31/open-seats-make-for-abundant-choices/4fa1dcda-8513-4cdf-8726-b4806fa23255/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=August 31, 2006}} platform that included opposition to same-sex marriage.{{cite news |last1=Shorto |first1=Russell |title=What's Their Real Problem With Gay Marriage? (It's the Gay Part) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/19/magazine/whats-their-real-problem-with-gay-marriage-its-the-gay-part.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=June 19, 2005}} The district was targeted by the Maryland Republican Party, which saw the election as an opportunity to make legislative gains.{{cite news |last1=Olson |first1=Bradley |title=Republicans energized to fill Jimeno seat in 31st |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2006-09-06-0609060219-story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 6, 2006}} Simonaire won the Republican primary in September 2006,{{cite news |last1=Linskey |first1=Annie |title=Giannetti trails Rosapepe in 21st |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2006-09-13-0609130230-story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 13, 2006}} and later won the general election on November 7, 2006, defeating Democratic state delegate Walter J. Shandrowsky by 659 votes, or a margin of 1.72 percent. It was the closest election in the 2006 Maryland Senate elections.{{cite news |last1=McCaffrey |first1=Raymond |title=Counting Goes On In Tight Contests Absentee Votes May Tilt Assembly Races |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2006/11/16/counting-goes-on-in-tight-contests-span-classbankheadabsentee-votes-may-tilt-assembly-racesspan/62cfb186-67fe-4767-a9de-f57bea09587f/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=November 16, 2006}}

File:Testify for Serve Act (52705440504).jpg

Simonaire was sworn into the Maryland Senate on January 10, 2007. He was initially a member of the Judicial Proceedings Committee from 2007 to 2010, afterwards serving on the Health and Environmental Affairs Committee until 2022. Since 2023, he has served on the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee.{{cite web |title=Bryan W. Simonaire, Maryland State Senator |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/05sen/html/msa14640.html |website=Maryland Manual On-Line |publisher=Maryland State Archives |access-date=October 1, 2023 |date=March 16, 2023}}

Simonaire endorsed Mitt Romney in the 2012 Republican Party presidential primaries and later served a Romney delegate to the 2012 Republican National Convention.{{cite news |last1=Fritze |first1=John |title=Romney names new Md. endorsements |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-xpm-2011-12-20-bal-romney-names-new-md-endorsements-20111220-story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=December 20, 2011}}

In 2014, Simonaire proposed a constitutional amendment to remove legislative leaders' ability to remove voting powers from any member of the Maryland General Assembly. The amendment was introduced after state Delegate Don H. Dwyer Jr. was stripped of his voting powers and committee assignments after being sentenced to 30 weekends in jail for driving under the influence.{{cite news |last1=Jackson |first1=Alex |title=Simonaire introduces bill to question Busch's removal of Dwyer from committee |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/cct-arc-19655581-055d-5e15-9cfc-d11ca56dde45-20140327-story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 27, 2014}} In 2016, Simonaire introduced the "Dwyer amendment", which would have prevented Senate president Thomas V. Miller Jr. from removing a member's voting powers. The proposed rule change was rejected in a 11-31 vote.{{cite news |last1=Sauers |first1=Elisha |title=Anne Arundel lawmaker's 'Dwyer amendment' fails |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/anne-arundel/ph-ac-cn-dwyer-amendment-0130-20160130-story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 30, 2016}}

In October 2020, Simonaire was elected as the minority leader of the Maryland Senate, which was seen by the media as the Senate Republican caucus becoming more conservative as to push back on the perceived leftward shift of the Maryland Democratic Party following the election of Bill Ferguson as Senate president.{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Senate Republicans Pick Simonaire, Hough as New Leaders |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2020/10/10/senate-republicans-pick-simonaire-hough-as-new-leaders/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=October 10, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=Maryland GOP senators elect new, more conservative leaders |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-senate-republicans-20201010-4mcwdwa4ojg2vnu5pu7kjej2si-story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=October 10, 2020}} In this capacity, Simonaire sought to allow his party to make their own committee assignments{{cite news |last1=Leckrone |first1=Bennett |title=Senate Panel Votes Down Republican Attempt to Get More Say Over Committee Assignments |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/03/05/senate-panel-votes-down-republican-attempt-to-get-more-say-over-committee-assignments/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 5, 2021}} and oversaw the party's state Senate campaign in 2022, in which the party lost two seats in the Maryland Senate.{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Political notes: Senate GOP seeks distance from Cox, Raskin vows action against Trump, and more |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/09/07/political-notes-senate-gop-seeks-distance-from-cox-raskin-vows-action-against-trump-and-more/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=September 7, 2022}} Following the 2022 elections, Senate Republicans opted to elect Stephen S. Hershey Jr. as minority leader.{{cite news |last1=DePuyt |first1=Bruce |title=Hershey wrests top Senate Republican post from Simonaire |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/11/28/hershey-wrests-top-senate-republican-post-from-simonaire/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=November 28, 2022}}

Simonaire endorsed Maryland Secretary of Commerce Kelly M. Schulz in the 2022 Maryland gubernatorial election.{{cite news |title=Endorsements in the Race for Maryland Governor |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/01/31/endorsements-in-the-race-for-maryland-governor/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=January 31, 2022}} After she was defeated by far-right state delegate Dan Cox in the Republican primary, he declined to endorse or campaign with Cox, instead focusing on competitive Senate elections.{{cite news |last1=Janesch |first1=Sam |title=Maryland Senate GOP leader declines to endorse gubernatorial nominee Dan Cox during election push |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-republicans-senate-cox-20220906-mulj5u5625buvbskjysdhn3w74-story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 6, 2022}}

On March 25, 2025, Simonaire announced that he would not seek re-election to a sixth term in 2026.{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Natalie |title=Anne Arundel Sen. Bryan Simonaire not seeking reelection in 2026 |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/03/25/anne-arundel-sen-bryan-simonaire-not-seeking-reelection-in-2026/ |access-date=March 25, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 25, 2025 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250325214544/https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/03/25/anne-arundel-sen-bryan-simonaire-not-seeking-reelection-in-2026/ |archive-date=March 25, 2025}}

In 2009, Simonaire said he would vote to repeal the death penalty if legislators passed a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage in Maryland.{{cite news |last1=Smitherman |first1=Laura |title=Senator suggests deal on death penalty measure |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2009-02-03-0902020106-story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 3, 2009}} He later voted for an amendment to the death penalty repeal bill to limit the death penalty's use rather than fully repeal it, which passed 25-21.{{cite news |last1=Bykowicz |first1=Julie |title=Senators turn away repeal of death penalty in Md. |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bal-md.penalty04mar04-story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 4, 2009}} During the 2013 legislative session, Simonaire voted against repealing the death penalty.{{cite news |last1=Wagner |first1=John |title=How the Maryland Senate voted on repealing the death penalty |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/how-the-maryland-senate-voted-on-repealing-the-death-penalty/2013/03/06/977a20fc-85e4-11e2-999e-5f8e0410cb9d_story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 6, 2013}}

During the 2022 legislative session, Simonaire implored legislators to pass a tough-on-crime bill introduced by Governor Larry Hogan.{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |title=Hogan Expresses Frustration over Lack of Action on Crime Bills; Legislative Leadership Pushes Back |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/12/09/hogan-expresses-frustration-over-lack-of-action-on-crime-bills-legislative-leadership-pushes-back/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=December 9, 2021}} He also expressed willingness to work with Democrats to pass a bipartisan judicial transparency bill.{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |title=Senate Democrats, Republicans Outline Different Approaches to Crime-Fighting Bills |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/02/03/senate-democrats-republicans-outline-different-approaches-to-crime-fighting-bills/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 3, 2022}}

Simonaire opposes the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, calling for its repeal during the 2021 legislative session and comparing them to the Bridge of Excellence education reforms in 2002.{{cite news |last1=Leckrone |first1=Bennett |title=Senate's New GOP Leaders Pledge Cooperation But Vow to 'Fight Back' When Necessary |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/01/12/maryland-senates-new-minority-leaders-are-a-rightward-shift/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=January 12, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Sears |first1=Bryan P. |title=Will this be the year of Kirwan 2.0? |url=https://thedailyrecord.com/2021/01/01/will-this-be-the-year-of-kirwan-2-1/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The Daily Record |date=January 1, 2021}} He supports legislation requiring the Maryland State Board of Education to prepare a problem gambling curriculum in schools.{{cite news |title=As Sports Betting Grows, States Tackle Teenage Problem Gambling |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/07/13/as-sports-betting-grows-states-tackle-teenage-problem-gambling/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=July 13, 2022}}

During the 2011 legislative session, Simonaire said he opposed Maryland's Dream Act, a bill that extended in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants.{{cite news |last1=Marimow |first1=Ann E. |title=At Maryland hearing on tuition bill, young illegal immigrants make emotional appeals |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/at-maryland-hearing-on-tuition-bill-young-illegal-immigrants-make-emotional-appeals/2011/02/16/ABfi1nQ_story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 16, 2011}}

During the 2022 legislative session, Simonaire introduced a bill that would force the county Board of Education to vote on certain curriculum items if a petition got the signatures of at least three percent of parents.{{cite news |last1=Pacella |first1=Rachael |title=Simonaire proposes method for Anne Arundel parents to challenge curriculum items; schools, other pols say a check exists |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/education/ac-cn-parent-curriculum-0219-20220221-3ozwaz4z2bgklee35cvr5dl57i-story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 21, 2022}}

During the 2015 legislative session, Simonaire testified against a bill to restore voting rights for ex-felons.{{cite news |last1=Wheeler |first1=Timothy B. |title=Senate approves expanding voting rights for ex-felons |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bal-senate-okays-20150316-story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 16, 2015}}

In May 2020, Simonaire asked Governor Larry Hogan to call a special session to pass election integrity bills, expressing concern that the use of mail-in ballots in the 2020 elections would lead to voter fraud.{{cite news |last1=DuBose |first1=Brooks |last2=Sanchez |first2=Olivia |title=Republicans ask Hogan to call special session on Maryland election, claiming potential risk of voter 'fraud' |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/ac-cn-ballot-verification-20200520-20200520-mh2zs56ymbdefb7zowxsxusn4a-story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=May 20, 2020}}

During the 2021 legislative session, Simonaire introduced a package of election reform bills, including voter ID laws and signature verification on mail-in ballots, citing what he called "major deficiencies" in the 2020 United States presidential election.{{cite news |last1=Leckrone |first1=Bennett |title=Senate Republicans Announce Voter ID, Signature Verification Bills |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/02/04/senate-republicans-announce-voter-id-signature-verification-bills/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 4, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Blobaugh |first1=Bob |title=Ready among Maryland Senate Republicans proposing election safeguards |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-senate-republicans-election-safeguards-20210204-xu7skdy5hnaeridmbdbtdvgccy-story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=February 4, 2021}} The package failed to move out of committee,{{cite news |last1=Leckrone |first1=Bennett |last2=Olson |first2=Laura |title=House Election Bills Start Moving in Md. Senate, as Biden Blasts Laws Limiting Voting Access |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/03/26/house-election-bills-start-moving-in-md-senate-as-biden-blasts-laws-limiting-voting-access/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 26, 2021}} and many bills from the package were reintroduced in 2022.{{cite news |last1=Leckrone |first1=Bennett |title=Bid to Add Signature Verification Fails as Mail-In Voting Reform Advances in Senate |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/02/09/bid-to-add-signature-verification-fails-as-mail-in-voting-reform-advances-in-senate/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 9, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Leckrone |first1=Bennett |title=Republican Lawmakers Again Introduce Voter ID, Signature Verification Bills |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/02/17/republican-lawmakers-again-introduce-voter-id-signature-verification-bills/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 17, 2022}} He also supported a bill to shift control of local election boards to whichever party had a majority of registered voters in each jurisdiction,{{cite news |last1=Leckrone |first1=Bennett |title=Bill Would Shift Party Control of Local Election Boards |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/02/19/bill-would-shift-party-control-of-local-election-boards/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 19, 2021}} and sought to amend a bill to expand early voting centers to require local boards of elections to consider "geographical distance" in deciding where to locate early voting centers.{{cite news |last1=Leckrone |first1=Bennett |title=Senate Gives Final Approval to Early Voting Center Expansion |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/03/31/senate-gives-final-approval-to-early-voting-center-expansion/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 31, 2021}}

Simonaire opposed the congressional maps drawn by the Legislative Redistricting Advisory Committee (LRAC), of which he was a member, instead supporting maps drawn by Governor Larry Hogan's Maryland Citizens Redistricting Commission.{{cite news |last1=Leckrone |first1=Bennett |title=Dueling Commissions Foreshadow Partisan Battle Over Redistricting |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/08/11/dueling-commissions-foreshadow-partisan-battle-over-redistricting/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=August 11, 2021}} During the LRAC's map drawing process, he pressed for a bipartisan map drawing process and hoped legislators would produce a single map, but predicted that Democrats on the commission would pass their own map.{{cite news |last1=Leckrone |first1=Bennett |title=Legislative Redistricting Commission Promises Transparent Process at First Meeting |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/09/01/legislative-redistricting-commission-promises-transparent-process-at-first-meeting/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=September 1, 2021}} He criticized the commission's final congressional and legislative maps as "seriously gerrymandered".{{cite news |last1=Leckrone |first1=Bennett |title=Legislative Redistricting Advisory Commission Adopts Congressional Map to Present to General Assembly |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/11/23/legislative-redistricting-advisory-commission-adopts-congressional-map-to-present-to-general-assembly/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=November 23, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Leckrone |first1=Bennett |title=Legislative Redistricting Advisory Commission Sends State Legislative Map to General Assembly |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/01/07/legislative-redistricting-advisory-commission-sends-state-legislative-map-to-general-assembly/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=January 7, 2022}} After Judge Lynne A. Battaglia struck down the state's congressional maps in March 2022, Simonaire criticized Democrats for not including Republicans in the process of drafting a new map.{{cite news |last1=Leckrone |first1=Bennett |title=UPDATE: House Committee Approves Redrawn Congressional Plan, Sending Issue to House Floor Wednesday Morning |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/03/29/senate-redistricting-committee-approves-redrawn-congressional-plan/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 29, 2022}}

Simonaire is an environmentalist and has expressed willingness to work with legislators to pass a bipartisan climate bill.{{cite news |last1=Leckrone |first1=Bennett |last2=Kurtz |first2=Josh |title=Climate Activists Up the Pressure on Lawmakers as Session Starts |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/01/13/climate-activists-up-the-pressure-on-lawmakers-as-session-starts/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=January 13, 2022}} He voted in favor of bills to ban fracking{{cite news |last1=Sears |first1=Bryan P. |title=Committee moves fracking ban to full Md. Senate |url=https://thedailyrecord.com/2017/03/22/committee-moves-fracking-ban-to-full-md-senate/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The Daily Record |date=March 22, 2017}} and foam containers in Maryland.{{cite news |last1=Hernández |first1=Arelis R. |last2=Wiggns |first2=Ovetta |title=Maryland moves closer to becoming first state to ban plastic foam food containers |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/as-general-assembly-pace-picks-up-democrats-vow-1b-more-for-schools-over-two-years/2019/03/05/d74d7b74-3f4d-11e9-922c-64d6b7840b82_story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 5, 2019}}

Simonaire was critical of Maryland's "Rain Tax" and introduced legislation in 2013 to offset the fee in Anne Arundel County.{{cite news |last1=Bourg |first1=Allison |title=State lawmakers target Anne Arundel County stormwater fee |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/cg2-arc-d78742d5-a462-5974-829b-905e721f3680-20131001-story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=October 1, 2013}} In 2015, he voted in favor of a bill to make the rain tax optional for Maryland's largest jurisdictions.{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Jenna |title=Maryland Senate unanimously approves easing 'rain tax' terms |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/maryland-senate-unanimously-approves-changing-rain-tax-terms/2015/03/20/46783bb2-cf16-11e4-8a46-b1dc9be5a8ff_story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 20, 2015}}

During the 2021 legislative session, Simonaire expressed concern with the Climate Solutions Now Act, which he said would force jurisdictions to choose between planting more trees and protecting local sewage projects.{{cite news |last1=Shwe |first1=Elizabeth |title=Ambitious Climate Bill Voted Out of Maryland Senate |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/03/12/ambitious-climate-bill-voted-out-of-maryland-senate/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 12, 2021}} After it was reintroduced in 2022, he objected to provisions that would require large buildings to become carbon neutral by 2040{{cite news |last1=Cox |first1=Erin |title=Md. pursues one of the most ambitious climate change plans in the U.S. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/03/31/maryland-climate-change-law/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 31, 2022}} and expressed that legislators should instead focus on climate solutions "starting at the regional level".{{cite news |last1=Shwe |first1=Elizabeth |title=Senate Moves to Pass Climate Solutions Now Act After a Marathon Floor Session |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/03/10/senate-moves-to-pass-climate-solutions-now-act-after-a-marathon-floor-session/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 10, 2022}}

During the 2013 legislative session, Simonaire voted against the Firearms Safety Act, a bill that placed restrictions on firearm purchases and magazine capacity in semi-automatic rifles.{{cite news |last1=Wagner |first1=John |title=How the Maryland Senate voted on passed gun-control legislation |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/how-the-maryland-senate-voted-on-passed-gun-control-legislation/2013/04/05/854db6c6-9df6-11e2-a2db-efc5298a95e1_story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=April 5, 2013}}

Simonaire is a social conservative, opposing abortion rights and same-sex marriage, citing religious beliefs.{{cite news |last1=Thompson |first1=Steve |title=Simonaire's coming out more than a family matter |url=https://thedailyrecord.com/2018/05/07/meagan-simonaire-conversion-therapy-general-assembly/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The Daily Record |date=May 7, 2018}}

Simonaire opposed the Civil Marriage Protection Act, reading King & King on the Senate floor to protest the bill{{cite news |last1=Linskey |first1=Annie |title=Maryland Senate passes gay marriage bill |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-same-sex-debate-20120223-story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 23, 2012}} and warning that "young, impressionable students" would be taught the "homosexual worldview" if the bill passed.{{cite news |last1=Wagner |first1=John |title=Maryland Senate approves bill on gay marriage, but House passage not ensured |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/politics/gay-marriage-gets-approval-of-maryland-senate-but-house-passage-not-ensured/2011/02/24/ABun5zI_story.html?itid=lk_inline_manual_1 |access-date=October 1, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 24, 2011}} He also unsuccessfully sought to amend the bill to allow religious adoption agencies to refuse services to same-sex couples.{{cite news |last1=Wagner |first1=John |title=Gay marriage wins initial approval in Maryland Senate |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/gay-marriage-wins-initial-approval-in-maryland-senate/2011/02/23/ABk4aZQ_story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 23, 2011}} In 2015, he voted against a bill that would allow same-sex couples to use donor sperm for in vitro fertilization.{{cite news |last1=Dresser |first1=Michael |last2=Wheeler |first2=Timothy B. |title=In vitro mandate bill for same-sex couples passes both chambers |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bal-in-vitro-mandate-bill-for-samesex-couples-passes-both-chambers-20150324-story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 24, 2015}}

In 2014, Simonaire said he opposed a bill to prohibit discrimination against transgender people.{{cite news |last1=Wheeler |first1=Timothy B. |title=Maryland Senate passes transgender rights bill |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-xpm-2014-03-04-bs-md-transgender-senate-20140304-story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 4, 2014}} In 2021, he was the lone vote against a bill to allow transgender people to change their names without advertising it in newspapers.{{cite news |last1=Sanchez |first1=Olivia |title=Maryland bill would let transgender people change names without advertising it |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/ac-cn-transgender-name-change-bill-20210322-20210323-ej5djrrz5jefhhk766uqf5v7hu-story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 23, 2021}}

In 2015, Simonaire introduced a "right to try" bill that would allow terminally ill patients to try experimental drugs not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.{{cite news |last1=Sauers |first1=Elisha |title=Simonaire drafts 'right-to-try' bill for dying patients to access unapproved drugs in Maryland |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/anne-arundel/ph-ac-cn-righttotry-simonaire-1020-20151020-story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=October 20, 2015}} In 2019, he spoke against the End-of-Life Option Act, which would have provided palliative care to terminally ill adults.{{cite news |last1=Wiggins |first1=Ovetta |title=No aid-in-dying in Maryland this year: Bill fails with tie vote in Senate |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/2019/03/27/2d128d82-4ffd-11e9-88a1-ed346f0ec94f_story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 27, 2019}}

During the 2016 legislative session, Simonaire introduced legislation to revise a translation of the state's motto to "Strong deeds, gentle words", saying that he believed that the current meaning of the motto ("Manly deeds, womanly words") was sexist.{{cite news |last1=Wiggins |first1=Ovetta |title=How a 'sexist' quote from 16th-century pope became Maryland's state motto |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/how-a-sexist-quote-from-16th-century-pope-became-marylands-state-motto/2016/01/01/542b0640-af08-11e5-b820-eea4d64be2a1_story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=January 1, 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=Maryland Senate considers new translation of motto on state seal |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bal-senate-considers-new-translation-of-motto-on-state-seal-20160322-story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 22, 2016}}

In 2022, Simonaire downplayed the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade, calling it a "Democratic ploy" to energize voters.{{cite news |last1=Marbella |first1=Jean |title=Post-Roe, continuing furor over abortion rights decision looms over November election in Maryland and beyond |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-abortion-election-issue-20220909-yekvp6hls5cnhcmz2vq6ncpc2m-story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 9, 2022}} In 2023, during debate on a bill creating a ballot referendum to codify abortion access rights into the Constitution of Maryland, Simonaire compared abortion to the death penalty and sought to amend the bill to prohibit abortions after fetal viability, which failed by a vote of 13-33.{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |title=Abortion referendum bill advances, would give voters choice in 2024 of enshrining access in state constitution |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-abortion-amendment-house-senate-floor-20230310-tfmipemxjngdlarwdlkfabwmxu-story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 10, 2023}}

In 2013, Simonaire said he opposed a bill to provide $450,000 in tax breaks to Lockheed Martin.{{cite news |last1=Wagner |first1=John |title=Maryland Senate advances local tax break for Lockheed Martin |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/maryland-senate-advances-local-tax-break-for-lockheed-martin/2013/03/08/0715b2f6-880a-11e2-999e-5f8e0410cb9d_story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 8, 2013}}

In 2021, Simonaire spoke against legislation to extend the state's earned income tax credit to undocumented immigrants.{{cite news |last1=Leckrone |first1=Bennett |title=Senate OKs Bill to Extend Tax Credit to Thousands of Immigrants |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/02/19/senate-oks-bill-to-extend-tax-credit-to-thousands-of-immigrants/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 19, 2021}} He also opposed legislation to allow counties to implement progressive income taxes{{cite news |last1=Gaines |first1=Danielle E. |title=Lawmakers Debating Whether to Allow Tiered Local Income Tax Brackets |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/04/06/lawmakers-debating-whether-to-allow-tiered-local-income-tax-brackets/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=April 6, 2021}} and to impose a tax on digital advertising, and unsuccessfully attempted to amend the tax bill to prevent large companies from increasing prices for consumers or small businesses to pay for the tax.{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |last2=Shwe |first2=Elizabeth |title=Bills on Digital Tax, Guns at Polling Places Move to Final Senate Votes |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/03/04/bills-on-digital-tax-guns-at-polling-places-move-to-final-senate-votes/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 4, 2021}}

During the 2022 legislative session, Simonaire supported a bill to cut taxes on centenarians and implored legislators to pass additional tax cuts.{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |last2=Kurtz |first2=Josh |last3=Shwe |first3=Elizabeth |title=Legislative Roundup: Patterson's Decision, House Debates Hate Crime Bill, Centenarian Tax Cuts and More |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/04/06/legislative-roundup-pattersons-decision-house-debates-hate-crime-bill-centenarian-tax-cuts-and-more/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=April 6, 2022}}

In March 2024, following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, Simonaire and state senator Johnny Ray Salling introduced a bill that would allow the governor to declare a year-long state of emergency after damage to critical infrastructure, though it would eliminate the authority to seize private property for government use, as now allowed under a state of emergency.{{cite news |last1=Sears |first1=Bryan P. |last2=Ford |first2=William J. |title=Republicans propose changes to state of emergency order following bridge collapse |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2024/03/28/republicans-propose-changes-to-state-of-emergency-order-following-bridge-collapse/ |access-date=March 28, 2024 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 28, 2024 |archive-date=March 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328193332/https://www.marylandmatters.org/2024/03/28/republicans-propose-changes-to-state-of-emergency-order-following-bridge-collapse/ |url-status=live }} The bill was withdrawn following discussions with the Moore administration.{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=How lawmakers plan to help workers, businesses affected by Baltimore port disruptions |url=https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/maryland/maryland-port-act-update-NC2KK4EFH5CVTPWRLD7LDHABVE/ |access-date=April 2, 2024 |work=The Baltimore Banner |date=April 2, 2024 |language=en}}

Simonaire is married and has seven children. He lives in Pasadena, Maryland,{{cite news |last1=McGowan |first1=Phillip |title=State Senate race turns unpredictable |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2006-05-10-0605100217-story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=May 10, 2006}} and attends nondenominational Christian churches.

File:Bryan and Meagan Simonaire (17415694668).jpg

During the 2018 legislative session, Simonaire spoke against a bill to ban conversion therapy on minors, arguing that it would dissuade teens from seeking counseling.{{cite news |last1=DePuyt |first1=Bruce |title=Senate Gives Initial OK to Ban on 'Torture' Therapy for Gay Minors |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2018/03/28/senate-gives-initial-ok-to-ban-on-39-torture-39-therapy-for-gay-minors/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 28, 2018}} His daughter, Meagan, a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, spoke in support of the bill and accused her father of seeking conversion therapy for her after she came out as bisexual in 2015.{{cite news |last1=DePuyt |first1=Bruce |title=Del. Shares Personal Story Before Vote to Ban Conversion Therapy for Minors |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2018/04/05/del-shares-personal-story-before-vote-to-ban-conversion-therapy-for-minors/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=April 5, 2018}} Simonaire disputed his daughter's story in interviews with the media, saying that he had recommended her Christian counseling after she approached him for advice with her depression and anxiety,{{cite news |last1=DePuyt |first1=Bruce |title=Senator at Center of Family Drama Says Media 'Got it Wrong' |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2018/04/12/senator-at-center-of-family-drama-says-media-got-it-wrong/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=April 12, 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Chason |first1=Rachel |title=A bisexual Maryland lawmaker says her dad — a state senator — suggested conversion therapy. Now, she's speaking out. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/a-bisexual-maryland-lawmaker-says-her-dad--a-state-senator--suggested-conversion-therapy-now-shes-speaking-out/2018/04/05/ccc5e44e-3854-11e8-9c0a-85d477d9a226_story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=April 5, 2018}} but added that he disagreed with her "lifestyle".{{cite news |last1=Cox |first1=Erin |title=Maryland delegate says her parents, including a state senator, pushed her to use conversion therapy |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-conversion-therapy-simonaire-20180404-story.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 4, 2018}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland Senate District 31 Republican primary election, 2006{{cite web

| title = Official 2006 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Legislative District 31

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2006/results/primary/legislative_district_31.html}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Bryan Simonaire

|votes = 3,032

|percentage = 42.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Carl G. "Dutch" Holland

|votes = 1,620

|percentage = 22.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Mike Jacobs

|votes = 1,533

|percentage = 21.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Thomas R. Gardner

|votes = 821

|percentage = 11.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Charles "Casey" Robison

|votes = 218

|percentage = 3.0

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland Senate District 31 election, 2006{{cite web

| title = Official 2006 Gubernatorial General Election results for Legislative District 31

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2006/results/general/legislative_district_31.html}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Bryan Simonaire

|votes = 19,516

|percentage = 50.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Walter J. Shandrowsky

|votes = 18,857

|percentage = 49.1

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 28

|percentage = 0.1

}}

{{Election box gain with party link no change

|winner = Maryland Republican Party

|loser = Maryland Democratic Party

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland Senate District 31 election, 2010{{cite web

| title = Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2010/results/General/gen_results_2010_2_01531.html}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Bryan Simonaire (incumbent)

|votes = 25,744

|percentage = 62.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Ned Carey

|votes = 15,688

|percentage = 37.8

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 35

|percentage = 0.1

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

| winner = Maryland Republican Party

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland Senate District 31 election, 2014{{cite web

| title = Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2014/results/General/gen_results_2014_2_01531.html

| date = December 2, 2014}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Bryan Simonaire (incumbent)

|votes = 28,338

|percentage = 72.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Anthony Scott Harman

|votes = 10,929

|percentage = 27.8

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 34

|percentage = 0.1

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

| winner = Maryland Republican Party

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland Senate District 31 election, 2018{{cite web

| title = Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/results/general/gen_results_2018_2_01531.html

| date = December 11, 2018}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Bryan Simonaire (incumbent)

|votes = 29,489

|percentage = 61.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Scott Harman

|votes = 18,778

|percentage = 38.9

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 61

|percentage = 0.1

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

| winner = Maryland Republican Party

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland Senate District 31 election, 2022{{cite web

| title = Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2022/general_results/gen_results_2022_6_31.html

| date = December 7, 2022}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Bryan Simonaire (incumbent)

|votes = 32,215

|percentage = 71.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Libertarian Party (United States)

|candidate = Brian W. Kunkoski

|votes = 12,318

|percentage = 27.2

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 681

|percentage = 1.5

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

| winner = Maryland Republican Party

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{cite web |url=http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/Details/simonaire |title=Members - Senator Bryan W. Simonaire |website=mgaleg.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland General Assembly |access-date=November 2, 2020 |date=October 20, 2020}}
• {{cite web |url=http://www.simonaire.com/ |title=Simonaire Home Page |last1=Simonaire |first1=Bryan |website=Simonaire.com |publisher=Citizens for Bryan Simonaire |access-date=November 2, 2020 |language=en}}
• {{C-SPAN|120157}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-par|us-md-sen}}

{{s-bef|before=J. B. Jennings}}

{{s-ttl|title=Minority Leader of the Maryland Senate|years=2020–2023}}

{{s-aft|after=Stephen S. Hershey Jr.}}

{{s-end}}

{{Current Maryland State Senators}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Simonaire, Bryan W.}}

Category:1963 births

Category:Bob Jones University alumni

Category:Christians from Maryland

Category:Computer systems engineers

Category:Living people

Category:Loyola University Maryland alumni

Category:People from Pasadena, Maryland

Category:Politicians from Baltimore

Category:Republican Party Maryland state senators

Category:21st-century members of the Maryland General Assembly