Following graduation, he attended the Vanderbilt University Law School, receiving his Juris Doctor in 1977 and moving to the state of Florida later that year.

"[3] The Orlando Sentinel, though they "heartily" endorsed Carlton for re-election, praised Simmons as "a determined, self-made lawyer" who "has the potential to make contributions to Central Florida.

"[5] The Sentinel endorsed Simmons in his second campaign for the legislature, noting that while both candidates had "lengthy resume" and were "well-versed on the issues," Simmons "articulates a firmer vision of what he sees as his priorities," which included an overhaul of transportation policy, preventing drugs from entering the state, and substantial campaign finance reform.

He campaigned on his efforts to reform the nursing-home industry in the state and on his legislation that aimed to prevent drunken drivers from repeating their offenses and said that he planned on raising teacher salaries over the following five years.

He won the Republican primary unopposed, and faced Leo Cruz, the Democratic nominee, in the general election.

Though the contest was closer than any Simmons had faced in the past, he still won re-election by a solid margin, receiving 55% of the vote to Cruz's 45%.