Darren Glaude, Seminole County Watch columnist

When Republican David Simmons was elected to the Florida House in 2000, he easily defeated his Democratic challenger.  In 2002, Simmons was reelected without any opposition.

As a result, many Central Floridians really have no idea who David Simmons is or what he represents.  Presumably, he is supposed to represent the residents of State House District 37, but a closer look at his background and beliefs shows that Rep. Simmons seeks to serve a larger cause than simply his constituency.

When Simmons won the 2000 race, he was largely an anonymous candidate who rode the tide of Republican resurgence in Seminole County to victory.  He easily defeated an equally anonymous Democratic opponent for the House seat that became vacant when Lee Constantine ran for the State Senate.

What voters largely did not know about Simmons is that he had twice previously unsuccessfully run for office, in campaigns that were marked by allegations of negative campaigning that had crossed the line into outward deceit and lies.  Most notably, Simmons was accused of greatly distorting and misrepresenting the record of incumbent Fran Carlton when he unsuccessfully challenged her in 1986.

Simmons again tried for Carlton's seat in 1988, when she vacated it, but he lost the Republican primary to Roger Williams, who was able to present himself as more conservative than Simmons.  Going into that race, Simmons said he had learned an important lesson from his 1986 failed campaign against Carlton.

Asked what he would do differently in his 1988 race, Simmons said, ''I will win based on my leadership capabilities. I have matured a lot politically since my last try.''

Apparently, the lesson Simmons learned from his failed campaign against Williams in 1988 was to go back to his previous methods of relentless attack and negative campaigning towards his opponent.

In the 2000 Republican primary, Simmons defeated Larry Strickler in a contentious battle that became downright ugly, to the point where Strickler lamented that Simmons was too eager to sling mud rather than discuss issues.

Whether Strickler thought issues were more important than personal attacks became irrelevant when Simmons won the primary and then easily sailed into office in winning the general election.

The point of this brief personal history is to point out that David Simmons is not what many assume he appears to be.  His quiet demeanor and low-key manner present a distorted image of who he really is and what he really represents.

David Simmons is not interested in representing the residents of District 37, centered largely in southwest Seminole County.

The Altamonte Springs legislator is more interested in serving the corporate interests across central Florida that often directly compete with the interests of everyday citizens.

His recently-sponsored legislation clearly shows where his priorities lie.  Rep. Simmons is seeking to divert tax money from general revenue funds into the pockets of the Orlando Magic, hoping to use the money to build a new arena for the basketball team.

At a time when central Florida's infrastructure is buckling ever more under increased demands, such a priority on Rep. Simmons' part is shameful.

Rep. Simmons also is seeking to make it more difficult for average citizens to have issues placed on the ballot through the citizens' initiative process for constitutional amendments.

It is Rep. Simmons' belief that average citizens should have less direct influence on their government and less oversight over the actions of their elected representatives.

His currently-ongoing attack against the minimun-wage amendment clearly reflects this belief.  Rep. Simmons is seeking to dilute the amendment, which was overwhelming passed by nearly three-quarters of Florida voters in the past November election.

The amendment received overwhelming public support, and clearly and simply stated what should be done:  the minimum wage in the state should be raised to $6.15 per hour and indexed to inflation.

Although the amendment will affect only 3.1 percent of Florida's workforce, it received over 70 percent approval from the state's voters, whose sense of social responsibility clearly saw the need for such an increase.

Rep. Simmons' sense of personal adherence to a different philosophy is now leading him to try to weaken the amendment.  The changes he proposes are to weaken employer responsibility for compliance, and to weaken penalties for employers who fail to comply, even to his proposed weaker standards.

Rep. Simmons' actions are symptomatic of the errant belief that many of our elected officials currently hold.  They have been swept into office on the wave of the Republican resurgence in Florida and across the state.

They have ridden that wave based on distortion and deception, which have represented Rep. Simmons' public actions since his first failed public campaign in 1986.

Sadly, voters believe they are voting for one thing but are actually supporting another when they support Rep. Simmons and others like him.  Eventually, this will come to be clearly seen, but it needs to be brought to the forefront starting now.

Many of our Republican candidates and officials talk a very good and appealing game, but their actions in office are increasingly showing that they are misleading voters in their intent.

Voters need to start making the connection between what is happening in our state and why.  As the disparity of our economy becomes more intense, as services continue to be cut, as the burden continues to be placed more squarely on the back of average working people, we need to start asking questions rather than blindly pledging allegiance.

Finally, choices need to be offered, presented and decided upon.  Personally, I do not care if a candidate is Republican, Democrat, Green or anything else.  What I do care is whether they will make life better for my family, if they will provide safeguards and services for my parents, and more opportunity, as well as a cleaner and safer world, for my children.

David Simmons and the other Republicans in office have clearly shown to me they are not capable of providing such needs, nor do they seem inclined to really care to do so.

At the same time, no alternatives are being offered.  The Democrats, who are supposed to provide my "other" choice in elections, are not offering any ideas or proposals that make me think they offer any better solutions.

My belief is that most people feel the same as I.  My hope is that sincere individuals who truly care about others more than themselves will step forward and seek election to office.

There would be no better place to start than in State House District 37, where David Simmons has clearly shown he does not represent the interests of average people like me and my family.  My belief is that our elected officials are to serve the public and not the other way around.  David Simmons has made it clear to me that he has a different view.

Email Darren at darrenglaude@seminolecountywatch.com