Deva
Simmons
Deva Simmons is a No Party Affiliation candidate challenging the incumbent in Florida's 18th Congressional District in 2026.
- sources
- 4
- positions
- 10
- endorsements
- 2
Background
Deva Simmons is a No Party Affiliation (NPA) candidate running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Florida's 18th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election. 178 She is a challenger; the incumbent is Republican Scott Franklin. 813
Simmons was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, moved to Florida in 1995, and has lived in Polk County since 2002, with Lakeland listed as her hometown. 25 The Orlando Sentinel voter guide lists her occupation as "Retired Business Owner," while her campaign biography describes more than 20 years of experience in education, including teaching, mentoring, and advocating for students and families. 25
Her educational background includes a Master of Science from Adelphi University and a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia College. 5 Her community involvement includes service on the Board of the Boys & Girls Club of Lakeland. 2
At a glance
- Party
- No Party Affiliation
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 18, Florida
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- devasimmons.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 12newsOrlando Sentinel voter guide publishes Simmons's policy positions on data centers, education, immigration, and more
The Orlando Sentinel voter guide published Simmons's answers to policy questions. She supports a moratorium on new data centers pending study and regulation, increased teacher pay and classroom resources, preservation of local service funding (opposing a property-tax-slashing amendment), immigration enforcement that respects due process, abortion as a personal medical decision, and renewable energy and resilience investments on climate.
2026 Voters Guide: Deva Simmons running for US House District 18 · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6newsLkldNow voter guide lists Simmons as a No Party Affiliate challenger in FL-18
LkldNow's November 2026 voter guide identified Deva Simmons as a No Party Affiliate candidate in Florida's 18th Congressional District race, alongside Republican incumbent Scott Franklin and Democrat Curtis Gibson.
November 2026 Voter Guide · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 30filingCampaign-finance reporting period closed; updated Simmons FEC figures due October 15
The FEC reporting period covering activity through September 30 closed. LkldNow noted that updated figures for all candidates in the District 18 race, including Simmons, were due to be filed by October 15, 2026.
US House, District 18 · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 30filingSimmons's FEC fundraising figures through June 30: $21,932 raised, $16,168 spent, $5,764 cash on hand
The latest available FEC figures reported by LkldNow showed Simmons had raised $21,932, spent $16,168, and held $5,764 cash on hand as of June 30. Updated reports covering activity through September 30 were due October 15 and were not yet available. Her totals were substantially below incumbent Scott Franklin's $960,764 cash on hand.
US House, District 18 · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Forward Party organizationListed as an endorser by LkldNow. No endorsement date or announcement statement found. lkldnow.com
- 1908AKAPAC (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority PAC) organizationListed as an endorser by LkldNow. No endorsement date or announcement statement found. A separate $5,000 FEC contribution from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority PAC, Inc. is dated May 22, 2026, but a campaign contribution alone does not establish an endorsement. lkldnow.com
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $22K
- Spent
- $16K
- Cash on hand
- $5,764
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6FL18204(opens in a new tab)
Sources 4
- [1] 2026 Voters Guide: Deva Simmons running for US House District 18(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
- [2] Issues & Platform(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [3] November 2026 Voter Guide(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [4] US House, District 18(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026