Lauren Ashley Simmons: A Shining Example of Public Service
Lauren Ashley Simmons represents District 149 at the Texas House of Representatives.
A Life of Resilience
When Lauren Ashley Simmons discovered she was pregnant, she was in her freshman year at the University of Texas at Austin. This was not the future she (or her parents) had envisioned. This would also not be the only time she would be in a situation she hadn’t planned for—but one she would rise to meet anyway.
Simmons grew up in Houston’s Third Ward and admits she was something of a “bougie Jack and Jill kid” before leaving home for college. Still, finding out she was expecting at UT Austin forced her to adapt quickly, balancing classes with new motherhood. She recalls taking her baby to lessons with her when she had no help, going to bed with a hungry stomach because she could only afford to feed her child, and leaning on the support of older neighbors who became a makeshift family. That early lesson in resilience and understanding the needs of people trying to make ends meet formed the backbone of her community-focused advocacy and her dream of becoming a lawyer. Years later, it would also fuel her determination to run for public office.
A Path to Public Service
In May 2024, Rep. Simmons got elected to represent District 146 in the Texas House of Representatives, beating five-term incumbent Shawn Thierry in a bruising primary runoff filled with heated rhetoric, then securing victory in the general.
"It was a very, very tough primary," Rep. Simmons says. "It wasn’t fun. I don’t love talking about it a lot, because I hate that it became this big blow-up between two Black women."
Running for office wasn’t an easy choice. She was raising two children, including a daughter with sickle cell disease, and still aspired to attend law school. Her background was in union organizing, not politicking. Yet, her frustration with votes she felt disregarded community values pushed her toward the capitol.
"I felt a need for our district to have better representation, and wasn’t happy as a constituent," Rep. Simmons says. "I wanted to make sure people had an understanding that this is a democracy and people have the right to have their voices heard. You should represent your district by its values."
A Turning Point in Her Journey
In June 2023, the Houston Independent School District was taken over by the state, a move that she, as both a parent and a former teachers’ union organizer, had fought against. She spoke up at a community meeting, voicing the concerns of parents and educators who felt powerless against the takeover. Someone recorded her speech, and before she knew it, the video had gone viral, reaching millions of viewers.
"I know what public education does for our community and the opportunity it provides for people who look like me," says Rep. Simmons, whose grandparents and mother were teachers. "I want the kids in Third Ward and Sunnyside, and Black and brown neighborhoods throughout this city, to have access to quality education. I knew the takeover was not the right way to address the issues a lot of us have been calling the alarm on for years."
A New Chapter in Her Career
After being elected last November, she jumped into the fray of the 89th Texas Legislature in January. She has introduced 15 bills to date, focusing on issues that felt personal and urgent. One measure aims to expand collective bargaining rights to public workers; another revives a bill promoting better care for Texans with sickle cell disease, an illness her daughter manages daily.
Her district office is currently concentrating on getting people reconnected with local resources—from parents worried about school staffing to families anxious about immigration raids. She plans to keep the momentum going all year, instead of vanishing until the next campaign season.
A Balance of Passion and Practicality
As for her dreams of becoming a lawyer, they might be on the back burner, but they’re not fading away. She’s still considering taking the LSAT once her legislative schedule eases, and exploring ways to practice labor law. She feels her frontline experience as an organizer could have a real impact in the courtroom. For now, she’s content forging a new path in the legislature, grounded in everything that makes her who she is—a “very regular” person unconcerned with the usual polish of politics.
"I want people to know you just can’t put me in a box," Rep. Simmons says. "People see the tattoos…or they know I’m a super left progressive. But I also go to church and teach Vacation Bible School. I’m also a comic book and Harry Potter nerd, but I love me some Cardi B and Meg Thee Stallion. I’m all over the place but those different aspects of me give me a very unique perspective. And that’s what’s going to keep me grounded."
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What inspired you to run for public office?
A: My frustration with votes that disregarded community values and my desire to make a difference in my district.
Q: What are your top priorities as a representative?
A: Expanding collective bargaining rights, promoting better care for Texans with sickle cell disease, and reconnection with local resources.
Q: How do you balance your personal and professional life?
A: It can be challenging, but I prioritize self-care and make time for my loved ones.
Q: What advice would you give to young people considering a career in public service?
A: Be true to yourself, stay committed to your values, and never give up on your dreams.
