Sarita Simmons

Sarita Simmons (born May 14, 1977) is an American politician, serving in the Mississippi State Senate from the 13th district since 2020.

Early life and education Simmons was born in Cleveland, Mississippi. Her father is Willie Lee Simmons, former Mississippi Senate member from the 13th district and current Central District Transportation Commissioner. Her mother Rosie Simmons was the Bolivar County Circuit Clerk, the first African American since Reconstruction to serve that post. After graduating, she moved to Georgia to work in education and behavioral health.

Career Simmons moved back to Mississippi in 2004 to manage the family-owned soul food restaurant in Cleveland, Mississippi. She received a little over 42 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary runoff election and about 65 percent in the general election. She assumed office on January 7, 2020.

In coordination with several Delta Legislators, Simmons created a multistep plan to address conditions at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Sunflower County, an infamous prison located in Simmon's 13th district. This came after lawmakers proposed additional cuts for funding to the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

She voted for changing the Mississippi state flag.

Personal life She is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, NAACP, National Council of Negro Women, and the Bolivar County Democratic Executive Committee. She is Baptist.