Joshua Simmons launches Coral Springs mayoral bid against longtime incumbent
.png "Coral Springs Commissioner Joshua Simmons (right) announced that he will challenge incumbent Scott Brook for his seat as the city’s mayor.")
District 4 City Commissioner Joshua Simmons has officially announced that he will challenge incumbent Scott Brook for mayor of Coral Springs.
“I’m running for Mayor because Coral Springs needs a forward-thinking, people-centered vision for the future,” Simmons said in a Monday, Feb. 9, statement.
“Our city serves as an example to the county and the state of how to create new opportunities for residents and visitors to work, live, and play. We have great neighborhoods, top-rated schools, and engaged residents. My goal is to build on that foundation with thoughtful planning, smart investment, and leadership that brings people together to get things done.”
How did Simmons get into politics?
Originally from St. Louis, Simmons moved to Coral Springs at age 22 to take care of his younger sister while his single mother was deployed overseas.
He graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2010 with his bachelor’s degree in political science and government studies, and earned his master’s degree in psychology from Purdue University’s online program in 2014.
Simmons spent time as a mental health counselor, then a public school teacher. His interest in politics grew through internships and volunteering, mainly in law and politics.
That included working on Florence Taylor Barner’s 2016 campaign to become the first Haitian-American woman to be elected as a Broward County Judge — an experience he cited as inspiration for his run for office.
Simmons launched his City Commission campaign in 2018, running against incumbent Lou Cimaglia. He credits his grassroots, door-knocking-centered campaign for his victory.
With that election, Simmons became the first Black city commissioner in Coral Springs’ then-55-year history. He continued teaching in Broward County Public Schools during that period, too.
What has Simmons done as a City Commissioner?
One of his best-known projects during this time was an Emmy Award-winning series, “Conversations with a Commissioner,” which discussed race and policing following the murder of George Floyd early in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Simmons continued making city history when he became the first Black vice mayor in December 2020. If elected this year, he would also become Coral Springs’ first Black mayor.
He has served on the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization board for seven years, helping secure nearly $10 million in transportation and mobility projects for the city.
His most recent achievements include an appointment as Chair of the National League of Cities (NLC) 2026 Transportation and Infrastructure Services Federal Advocacy Committee, where he guides federal policy recommendations.
“Local government is where people feel the impact of leadership most directly,” Simmons said in his official announcement.
“Whether it’s the condition of our roads, the safety of our neighborhoods, or how city services respond when people need help. Effective local leadership matters. As Mayor, I will always put Coral Springs first.”
Brook first served as Coral Springs mayor from 2006-10, then was elected again in March 2019, following the death of Mayor Skip Campbell in October 2018. Brook was then sworn in for two additional terms on Nov. 30, 2022, and Nov. 19, 2024.
