Simmons appointment...

The state Senate has scheduled a vote this afternoon on Rob Simmons' appointment as the state's first-ever business advocate. The House approved the nomination already, and it is expected the Senate will do the same.

Simmons, the former Republican, three-term congressman in the 2nd Congressional District, accepted Gov. M. Jodi Rell's invitation to fill the newly-created position after losing his re-election bid in last year's mid-term elections. He lost to U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney by a mere 83 votes, the closest House race in the nation.

Simmons opted not to make another run for the congressional seat in 2008. So far, (see previous post) there are two potential Republican challengers getting ready to take on Courtney next year.