Sweeping Victory for State Rep. Caroline Simmons

According to unofficial results from Martin’s campaign, Martin captured 2,404 votes, including absentees. Simmons’ was almost double with 4,154. This marked the end of the line for Stamford incumbent Mayor David Martin who conceded Tuesday to Rep. Caroline Simmons in the Democratic primary. Martin pledged in his speech to support Simmons.

After Simmons won the endorsement of the Democratic City Committee in a tight vote this summer, Martin submitted enough signatures from registered Democrats to force a primary election. After only an hour after the polls closed, Martin said he called Simmons, congratulated her on her huge victory, and told her he would support her in the general election. According to Simmons’ spokesman Arthur Augustyn, not only did she successfully hold off incumbent Mayor David Martin in the Democratic mayoral primary Tuesday, but she also beat him at the polls in every district. As of the end of June, her campaign had raised more than three times as much money as Martin’s. Augustyn stated that her lead at the ballot box was greater than all the absentee ballots turned in by Stamford voters. Martin issued a statement saying, “ I have spent over 40 years in public service in the mayor’s office and on elected and volunteer boards in our city. I am proud of all my administration has accomplished over the last eight years, including strengthening the finances of our city, investing in our schools and infrastructure, and showing strong leadership to keep people safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Simmons, who has represented the 144th District since 2015 and previously worked for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, had said that she believes residents are yearning for a new leader with fresh ideas. If elected mayor, Simmons would be the first woman in Stamford’s top office and a face of change in the community.