Dennis W. Simmons was born and raised in Port Jervis, NY, the son of the late Kathryn E. and David C. Simmons Jr. He has been married to his wife Carla for 34 years. He has one grown Daughter, Kimberly who resides in Vestal, N.Y with her Husband , Rick and two children, Ashley and Erick. He is a graduate of Port Jervis High School, Class of 1969, and has a BA in Liberal Studies from SUNY, Excelsior College. He retired from the New York State Department of Corrections as a Senior Correction Counselor after 32 years of service. He is also a Senior Master Sergeant with over 22 years service with the 105th Air Wing at Stewart Air National Air Base at Newburgh, N.Y. He is presently on State Active Duty as part of Homeland Security with the Joint Task Force- Empire Shield as OIC of Force Protection at Camp Smith Training Site, Cortlandt Manor, N.Y. He is a Life Member and Past Commander of the Roosa-Fleming VFW Post #161, Life Member and Past Commander of  James C. Bilz American Legion Post # 685. He is a life member of the V.V.A. and he is a Life Member of the Air Force Sergeants Association. He is a 27 year member of Port Jervis BPO Elks Lodge # 645, and a 37 year member of Port Jervis  Fire Department Excelsior Engine Company #5. He is a communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church and a member of the Port Jervis K of C. He is a Member of the Neversink Valley Historical Society and the Minisink Valley Historical Society. He is a Benefactor Life Member of the NRA. He was a Football Coach at the Port Jervis High School from 1979 to 1990. He was a Modified Wrestling Coach at the Port Jervis Middle School from 1980 to 1986. He is a member of the Orange County Parks and Recreation Commission. He was a Port Jervis Councilman from 2002 to 2004.He has been endorsed by the Republican Party, the Independence Party and the  Conservative Party.