Simmons Loses, But Not Without A Fight

Rob Simmons, a long time fixture in Connecticut politics, conceded his Senate hopes to Republican rival Linda MacMahon Tuesday. After curtailing his campaign, Simmons still managed to win 30 percent of the vote.

Rob Simmons got into this race in 2009 as a favorite, a known quantity and popular politician at a time when Chris Dodd’s stock was falling. But Dodd’s retirement and the rise of wealthy wrestling magnate Linda MacMahon changed everything. Losing the convention endorsement to MacMahon, Simmons suspended his campaign last May, only to re-enter the race in earnest in the last weeks before the primary. In his concession speech last night, Simmons said he didn’t regret that move. Simmons pledged that he will not run as an independent, and said he now endorses MacMahon, stopping just short of saying that he will actively campaign for her,            

"I believe in a test of ideas, I think we have put issues out there that allow us to test those ideas. Now is not the time to continue the conflict – now is the time to bind up the wounds and move forward."

Simmons wouldn’t reveal what’s next on his own agenda, saying only he was looking forward to mixing a martini.

For WNPR, I'm Harriet Jones.