Lynn Simons
{{short description|American politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Lynn Simons
|image =
|office = 17th Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction
|term_start = January 1, 1979{{Cite news |date=January 2, 1979 |title=Wyoming officials sworn in |page=14 |work=Great Falls Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59900726/great-falls-tribune/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200924183934/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59900726/great-falls-tribune/ |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 24, 2020 }}
|term_end = January 7, 1991{{Cite news |date=January 5, 1991 |title=Sullivan takes second oath of office Monday |page=13 |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59919225/casper-star-tribune/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200924231003/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59919225/casper-star-tribune/ |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 24, 2020 }}
|predecessor = Robert G. Schrader
|successor = Diana Ohman
|birth_date =
|birth_place =
|death_date =
|death_place =
|party = Democratic
|education = University of Colorado
University of Wyoming
|signature =
}}
Lynn Simons is an American politician and educator who served as the 17th Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction from 1979 to 1991, as a member of the Democratic Party. She unsuccessfully sought the Democratic senatorial nomination in 1988.
Early life
Lynn Simons graduated with a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Colorado and a master's degree in American studies from the University of Wyoming.{{Cite news |date=August 7, 1988 |title=Education |page=6 |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59918119/casper-star-tribune/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200924225315/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59918119/casper-star-tribune/ |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 24, 2020 }} In 1957, she joined the American Civil Liberties Union.{{Cite news |date=August 7, 1988 |title=Joins ACLU |page=6 |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59918111/casper-star-tribune/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200924225114/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59918111/casper-star-tribune/ |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 24, 2020 }}
Career
=Board of education=
In 1971, Simons was appointed by Governor Stanley K. Hathaway to a six-year term on the Wyoming Board of Education to replace Harry F. Hays.{{Cite news |date=February 24, 1971 |title=Hathway Appointments Are Approved |page=7 |work=Billings Gazette |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59892273/the-billings-gazette/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200924162558/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59892273/the-billings-gazette/ |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 24, 2020 }} She was selected to serve as president of the Wyoming Committee on School Organization in 1975.{{Cite news |date=April 12, 1975 |title=Board of Education discusses court appeal |page=15 |work=Billings Gazette |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59892470/the-billings-gazette/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200924162850/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59892470/the-billings-gazette/ |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 24, 2020 }} During her tenure on the Wyoming Board of Education, she served as vice-chair and chair of the board.{{Cite news |date=April 23, 1976 |title=Education board elects |page=18 |work=Billings Gazette |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59892528/the-billings-gazette/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200924163055/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59892528/the-billings-gazette/ |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 24, 2020 }}
=Superintendent of Public Instruction=
On April 5, 1978, Simons announced that she would seek the Democratic nomination for Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction.{{Cite news |date=April 6, 1978 |title=Candidacy announced |page=1 |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59892852/casper-star-tribune/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200924182703/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59892852/casper-star-tribune/ |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 24, 2020 }} She won the Democratic nomination against Sydney Spiegel, a history teacher, and defeated incumbent Republican Superintendent Robert Schrader.{{Cite news |date=September 14, 1978 |title=Spiegel Surprised |page=1 |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59892839/casper-star-tribune/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200924182839/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59892839/casper-star-tribune/ |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 24, 2020 }}{{Cite news |date=November 16, 1978 |title=1978 election results |page=1 |work=Billings Gazette |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59893015/the-billings-gazette/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200924183054/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59893015/the-billings-gazette/ |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 24, 2020 }} She was reelected in 1982 and 1986.{{Cite news |date=November 11, 1982 |title=1982 election results |page=12 |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59902437/casper-star-tribune/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200924190158/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59902437/casper-star-tribune/ |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 24, 2020 }}{{Cite news |date=November 14, 1986 |title=Official vote tabulations confirm election results |page=17 |work=Billings Gazette |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59806748/the-billings-gazette/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200923015249/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59806748/the-billings-gazette/ |archive-date=September 23, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}} In 1990, Simons sought reelection, but was defeated by Republican nominee Diana Ohman.{{Cite news |date=November 15, 1990 |title=1990 certified results |page=7 |work=Billings Gazette |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59918995/the-billings-gazette/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200924230522/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59918995/the-billings-gazette/ |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 24, 2020 }}
During the 1980 presidential election Simons endorsed President Jimmy Carter for reelection.{{Cite news |date=May 14, 1980 |title=... And GOP leaders wait and see |page=17 |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59901431/casper-star-tribune/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200924184834/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59901431/casper-star-tribune/ |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 24, 2020 }} In 1982, she gave support to a court case in which the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the children of illegal immigrants could get a free public education.{{Cite news |date=June 16, 1982 |title=Simons supports high court decision |page=21 |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59902018/casper-star-tribune/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200924185702/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59902018/casper-star-tribune/ |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 24, 2020 }} During the 1984 presidential election she endorsed Senator Gary Hart for the Democratic presidential nomination.{{Cite news |date=March 3, 1984 |title=Simons endorsed Hart for nomination |page=5 |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59903256/casper-star-tribune/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200924191348/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59903256/casper-star-tribune/ |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 24, 2020 }} In 1985, Simons led a twenty member education delegation that visited schools in China and the Soviet Union.{{Cite news |date=January 20, 1985 |title=Lynn Simons to visit Red schools |page=21 |work=Billings Gazette |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59903726/the-billings-gazette/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200924192145/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59903726/the-billings-gazette/ |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 24, 2020 }} In 1985, Lynn was named to the Steering Committee of the Education Commission of the States.{{Cite news |date=September 4, 1986 |title=Lynn Simons named to Ed committee |page=19 |work=Billings Gazette |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59904113/the-jackson-hole-guide/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200924222422/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59904113/the-jackson-hole-guide/ |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 24, 2020 }}
Simons sought the Democratic nomination for the 1988 United States Senate election, but lost in the Democratic primary to John P. Vinch.{{Cite news |date=May 5, 1988 |title=Simons joins race for Senate |page=1 |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59918546/casper-star-tribune/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200924225836/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59918546/casper-star-tribune/ |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 24, 2020 }}{{Cite news |date=August 25, 1988 |title=Primary races stand after vote reviews |page=7 |work=Billings Gazette |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59918529/the-billings-gazette/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200924225837/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59918529/the-billings-gazette/ |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 24, 2020 }}
Simons is the last Democrat to serve in this position.
Later life
Simons was appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve as a six-state region representative for Secretary of Education Richard Riley in 1993.{{Cite news |date=November 18, 1993 |title=Simons picked for federal regional education position |page=11 |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59892069/casper-star-tribune/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200924162207/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59892069/casper-star-tribune/ |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 24, 2020 }} In 2003, she was appointed by Governor Dave Freudenthal to be Wyoming planning coordinator, but only served for five months before leaving the office.{{Cite news |date=April 1, 2003 |title=Simons is new plans czar |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/simons-is-new-plans-czar/article_dce33119-abf4-5e4a-8d5c-6580f1f6edd5.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200924161417/https://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/simons-is-new-plans-czar/article_dce33119-abf4-5e4a-8d5c-6580f1f6edd5.html |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |access-date=September 24, 2020 }}{{Cite news |date=September 5, 2003 |title=Simons leaves state planning job |work=Billings Gazette |url=https://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming/simons-leaves-state-planning-job/article_cd8a130d-30bc-577a-b556-7ddeaddb7be2.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200924161407/https://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming/simons-leaves-state-planning-job/article_cd8a130d-30bc-577a-b556-7ddeaddb7be2.html |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |access-date=September 24, 2020 }} During the 2020 presidential election Simons endorsed Joe Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination.{{Cite news |date=April 16, 2020 |title=18 top Wyoming Democrats endorse Joe Biden for president |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/18-top-wyoming-democrats-endorse-joe-biden-for-president/article_020e0b74-ce2a-5022-a900-3b206b54c679.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200924160925/https://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/18-top-wyoming-democrats-endorse-joe-biden-for-president/article_020e0b74-ce2a-5022-a900-3b206b54c679.html |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |access-date=September 24, 2020 }}
Electoral history
{{Election box begin no change|title = 1978 Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction election}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Lynn Simons
|votes = 69,261
|percentage = 52.70%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Robert Schrader (incumbent)
|votes = 62,165
|percentage = 47.30%
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 131,426
|percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change|title = 1982 Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction election}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Lynn Simons (incumbent)
|votes = 92,270
|percentage = 56.97%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Gary Elliott
|votes = 69,699
|percentage = 43.03%
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 161,969
|percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change|title = 1986 Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction election}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Lynn Simons (incumbent)
|votes = 90,978
|percentage = 57.05%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Millard Meredith
|votes = 68,960
|percentage = 42.95%
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 159,938
|percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change|title = 1990 Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction election}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Diana Ohman
|votes = 91,223
|percentage = 57.90%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Lynn Simons (incumbent)
|votes = 66,319
|percentage = 42.10%
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 157,542
|percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Simons, Lynn}}
Category:20th-century American women politicians
Category:University of Colorado alumni
Category:University of Wyoming alumni
Category:Women in Wyoming politics
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:21st-century American women