(MYSTIC) - The Simmons for Senate campaign today announced over 50 small business people from around Connecticut are forming the Small Business Leaders for Simmons coalition to support and promote Rob Simmons' candidacy for U.S. Senate and his "Plan for Prosperity" to rejuvenate the American economy through a focus on small business.

"Throughout his career, Rob Simmons has been a champion for small businesses, helping us grow and create jobs right here in Connecticut," said Earl Swan, owner of Axe Financial Enterprises in Guilford. "Given what we're seeing coming out of Washington, small businesses need his principled vision to help us create jobs and put our state and country back to work," added Swan.

"I am honored to have the support of these small business leaders all across our state," said Simmons. "These entrepreneurs and their businesses, and millions like them across America, are the key to economic recovery, and my Plan for Prosperity will help create an economic environment where they can grow, prosper and create the new jobs our country so desperately needs."

The following individuals joined the Simmons For Senate Small Business Leaders for Simmons Coalition:

Floresia Allen, Owner, Allen's Abatement in Meriden

Jay Berardino, Owner, Berardino Company Realty in Durham 

Bill Baldwin, Owner, Compelling Marketing Communications in Vernon

James Barrett, Owner, PharmaCom Group in Stamford

Mark Besecheck, Owner, MLB Construction LLC in Shelton

Duane Buckingham, Owner, InnComm of East Lyme

Eric Blais, Owner, Chamption Concrete Company in Middletown

Vincent Candelora, Owner, Connecticut Sports Plex in North Branford

Johnny Carrier, Owner, JFC Endeavors in Plainville

Dennis Clark, President of The Rockbestos Company in East Granby

Kris Cofiell, President of The Great Escape in Glastonbury

Billie Curry, Summit Corporation of America in Thomaston

Richard DuPont, Resources Management Associates in Watertown  

Dave Elford, Owner, "I Can Do That," in Ledyard

Mike Falade, Owner and President, Marx Diversified Interests in Hebron

Nick Fazzino Owner, MDC Statewide Appraisal in Meriden

David Fernandez, President and CEO, OEM America in Bloomfield

Mark Giovanniello, Owner, Giovanniello Integrator Marine & Industrial Systems in Guilford

Ron Hansen Jr., President and CEO, Component Engineers Inc. in Wallingford

Christopher Hack, President/CEO, CMH Associates in South Windsor

James Hall, Owner, DataTrace in Bloomfield

John Jenson, Manager, Pequot Commercial in Waterford

John Johnson, Owner, Thames River Properties, LLC in New London

Josh Katinger, Owner, Accession Media, LLC in New Milford

Frances Kelly, Owner, Kell-Strom in Wethersfield

Janni Lam, Owner, Boswell Properties, LLC of Norwich

Beth LeConte, President, ConnStep of Rocky Hill

Don Mackenzie, Owner, Boats Inc. in Niantic

Kevin Maloney, Owner, North East Express Transportation in Windsor Locks

Kate Mercer, Owner of Kate Mercer Productions in Mystic

Debra Morra, Owner, Lavender Fields Day Spa in Plainville

Dorothy Morra, Owner, All Seasons Lawn Care in Bristol

Tom Mosey, CEO, Mini Melts in Norwich

Kristin Muschett, President and CEO, Habco, Inc. in Glastonbury

Michael Nardelli, Owner,The Weston Associates, Inc. in Wilton

Kristen Onorato, Stonington Roll-Off LLCin Stonington

Billy Pirozolli, Owner, Better Barns Hardware in Bethlehem

Mark Poveromo, Owner of Thomaston Feed in Thomaston

Stephen Pretto, Owner of Goldenrod Corp in Beacon Falls

Francisca Rodriguez- Pena Bogdan, President, Creative Video Corporation in Norwalk

Walter Schieferdecker, Owner, Essex Island Marina, Inc. in Essex

Bill Stapleton, Owner, HealthPlanOne LLC in Shelton

Suresh Shah, Owner, Sunoco in Norwalk

Earl Swan, Owner, Axe Financial Enterprises in Guilford

Irene Tibus, Owner, Majestic Jewlers in Stonington

Giovanni Tomasi, Owner, RSL Fiber Systems, LLC in East Hartford

Thomas Vivirito, Owner, Fleet Motor Co. in Groton

Angela  Watrous, President, Taconic Wire in North Branford

Bob Westervelt, Self Employed in Hamden

Tom Winn, Owner of A Storks Studio in Orange

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