Derrick Simmons

Derrick Terrell Simmons (born December 12, 1976) is an American politician, trial lawyer, and Democratic member of the Mississippi Senate since 2011. In 2013, Simmons proposed a legislative amendment to expand Medicaid, which was ultimately defeated. He gained attention in January 2022 when he led the walkout of all 14 black Mississippi senators during a vote to ban critical race theory from being taught in the state's public schools, colleges, and universities. Simmons' twin brother, Erick Simmons, serves as the mayor of Greenville, Mississippi. Apart from his legislative duties, Derrick is also a trial lawyer, holding an MBA and a JD from Howard University.