Derrick Simmons

Derrick Terrell Simmons is an American politician and trial lawyer who has served in the Mississippi Senate for the 12th district since 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, he has held the position of Minority Leader of the Mississippi Senate since 2017. Before his legislative career, Simmons worked as a public defender and municipal court judge. He is known for his advocacy on issues such as Medicaid expansion and his vocal opposition to legislation banning the teaching of critical race theory in Mississippi schools.