(MYSTIC) - The Simmons for Senate campaign today announced that Rep. John Stripp of Weston is endorsing Rob Simmons for U.S. Senate.  Stripp is an assistant Republican leader in the state House.

"At a time when Connecticut voters are thirsty for a dose of straight talk from someone they can trust, no one is better suited to represent us in the Senate than Rob Simmons," said Stripp.  "I've known Rob for many years, and am proud to tell the people of southeast Connecticut that he is a man of the highest integrity, competence and purpose.  He will make an outstanding U.S. Senator."

"Rep. Stripp is widely respected as one of Connecticut's finest public servants," said Simmons.  "His endorsement is crucial as I reach out to the people of Fairfield County with my message of true reform and fiscal sanity."

Rep. Stripp is a longtime public servant in Weston having served as chairman of the Board of Finance, Board of Selectmen, and, since 1993, as state representative.  As vice chairman of the Weston Ethics Committee, Stripp helped draft the town ethics policy. Rep. Stripp is a past chairman of the Weston Republican Town Committee.

Stripp joins House GOP Leader Larry Cafero, Deputy House GOP Leader & former state GOP Chairman Bill Hamzy, Sen. Tony Guglielmo, Rep. Sean Williams, 20 members of the Republican State Central Committee and former U.S. Senator and GOP presidential candidate Fred Thompson (R-TN) among Rob Simmons' growing list of public endorsements.