Stamford Election Results: Simmons Wins, Valentine Concedes

Stamford CT

02 November, 2021

8:01 PM

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STAMFORD, CT — Just after midnight, State Rep. Caroline Simmons (D-144) claimed victory in the Stamford mayoral race over Unaffiliated candidate Bobby Valentine. The race came down to the wire, as both campaigns waited for thousands of absentee ballots to be counted. According to Arthur Augustyn, a spokesperson for the Simmons campaign, Simmons won the in-person vote by just 125. It was unclear early Wednesday what the final vote tally was, although Valentine said in his concession speech that the margin was about 700 votes out of the over 30,000 votes that were cast. Simmons addressed supporters at Third Place By Half Full Brewery in Stamford, and said she was "honored and humbled" that voters chose her to be the next mayor of Stamford. "Today, thousands of voters participated in the Democratic process and exercised their sacred right to vote, to make their voices heard, in this historic election," Simmons said. "To every Stamford resident who came to the polls, thank you for voting today and for advocating for a brighter future for our wonderful city." Simmons, 35, has been the State Representative in the 144th District in Stamford for the past seven years. She will now become the first female mayor in Stamford's history. Before Simmons spoke, Valentine, a Stamford native and former Major League Baseball manager, conceded the race in a short speech to supporters at The Village in the city's South End. "It's time for me to congratulate Caroline Simmons on being the next mayor of our city," he said. "The campaign is over; there's a new mayor of Stamford. Hopefully the people that ran that campaign are not going to be the people that run our city." This marks the end of an at times contentious race between the two campaigns that featured several spats over the last few weeks. For more on Simmons' victory over Valentine, click here. In other races, some not yet known: City & Town Clerk: Residents chose between incumbent Democrat Lyda Ruijter and petitioned candidate Marilyn M. Abbazia-Lodato. Board of Finance, for a full term: According to the Stamford Advocate, incumbent Board Chair and Democrat Richard Freedman was elected to the Board of Finance over fellow Democrats Robert Barocas and Leo Zygelman. David Mannis, a Democrat, ran unopposed to fill a vacancy for two years. Republican candidates Dennis Mahoney and J.R. McMullen were guaranteed seats. Results of the Board of Education race were unknown late Tuesday night. Democratic candidates include: Versha Munshi-South, Michael A. Hyman and Benjamin Lee. Republican candidates are Joseph Gonzalez, Rebecca Hamman and Joshua Esses. Rachel Anne Albone ran the Independent Party line. Jaclyn Annette Pioli appeared on the ballot as a petitioning candidate. Constable: Democratic candidates are Jon Gallup, Gloria DePina, Rodney Pratt and Philip J. Giordano. Republicans include Joseph Tarzia, Alan Shaw, Ralph Loglisci and Eva Maldonado. Cora Santaguida is running as a member of the Green Party. Results of the race were not known late Tuesday. There were a number of candidates running for the Board of Representatives in each district. Residents in each district could vote for up to two. Results were not immediately known Tuesday night. District 1 Republicans Bradley Michelson Bewkes and David Watkins. District 2 Democrats Virgil de la Cruz and Ines Saftic. Thomas G. Dougherty is running as a petitioned candidate. District 3 Democrats Terry B. Adams and Elise Coleman. District 4 Robert Roqueta and Megan E. Cottrell are the Democratic candidates. Republican candidates are Erika Talnagi and Peter Talnagi. District 5 Democrats Bonnie Kim Campbell and Melinda Punkin Baxter, and Republican Sheila Williams-Brown. District 6 Democrats Annie M. Summerville and Denis Patterson are on the ballot, as is Republican Juan David Ospina. District 7 Democrats: Lindsey Miller and Monica DiCostanzo. Republican: Charles R. Pia. District 8 Anabel Figueroa and Nina Sherwood are running as Democrats. Lynda Roscia and Maria T. Larrea are petitioned candidates. District 9 Democrats Jeffrey Stella and Rodney Pratt. District 10 Mavina Moore Sr. and Francise Jean-Louis, both Democrats. District 11 Democrats Cara Gilbride and Maureen Pollack. Nathan Chang Ducharme and John R. Zelinsky are petitioned candidates. District 12 Democrats Jonathan Jacobson and Ramya Shaw; Republicans Wilm Donath and Carola Cammann. District 13 Democrats Eric B. Morson and Amiel H. Goldberg. Both will appear on the Independent Party line as well. Republican Jonathan V. Portanova. District 14 Democrats Dan Sandford and Jeff Curtis. District 15Democrats Sean Boeger and Carmine Tomas. Republican Frank Cerasoli. District 16 Democrats Philip Berns and Fred Pierre-Louis. Republican Palmer Stolly. Bob Kolenberg is running as a member of the Alliance For Stamford; Gary C. Palomba is a petitioning candidate. District 17 Democrat Bobby Pavia, and Republican Mary Fedeli. District 18 Democrats Karen Camporeale and James Grunberger. Republican Charles Florio. David A. Wilburn is a petitioning candidate. District 19 Democrats Don Mays and Jennifer Matheny. District 20 Democrats Suan Nabel and Ashley Ley. Republican Michael Tedder.