The 2021 Stamford mayoral election was held on November 2, 2021. Incumbent Democratic mayor David Martin sought re-election to a third term in office, but lost renomination to state representative Caroline Simmons. Simmons, who was also endorsed by the Independent Party, faced unaffiliated candidate Bobby Valentine.
Initial results indicated Simmons had a slight lead over Valentine. Absentee ballots swung heavily in Simmons' favor resulting in a 5-points lead over Valentine. Following her election, Simmons became Stamford's first female mayor.
Democratic primary On July 25, the Stamford City Committee narrowly voted to endorse Simmons over the incumbent Martin, with 21 members voting for Simmons and 19 voting for Martin. Shortly thereafter, Martin declared his intention to continue with his candidacy and force a primary. According to the Connecticut Secretary of State, Martin was required to collect 1,550 signatures, 5 percent of the total number of registered Democrats in the city. Martin collected over 3,000 signatures, guaranteeing a Democratic Primary.
The primary was held on September 14. The ballot also included elections for the Stamford Board of Representative District 5, and Stamford Board of Representative District 19. Simmons won in a landslide, earning a majority of support in all of city's 20 voting districts. Martin conceded the night of the primary and endorsed Simmons.
Candidates Nominee Caroline Simmons, state representative
Eliminated in Primary David Martin, incumbent mayor (endorsed Simmons)
Declined Christopher Malloy, former member of the Stamford Democratic Committee and nephew of former mayor and former governor of Connecticut Dannel Malloy (endorsed Simmons)
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of July 17, 2021Quarter1st quarter (January—March 2021)2nd quarter (April—June 2021)CandidateTotal raisedContributors% who livein StamfordTotal raisedContributors% who livein Stamford David Martin$52,80010058%$25,6009470% Caroline Simmons$158,00048433%$81,60042060%
Results
Republican Party The Republican Stamford City Committee endorsed Joe Corsello as its mayoral candidate. However, he withdrew from the race on September 8 and endorsed Bobby Valentine.
Withdrawn Joe Corsello, drummer and retired police detective
Independent Party The Independent Party of Connecticut endorsed Caroline Simmons for mayor in August 2021.
Nominee Caroline Simmons, state representative
Third parties and independents Declared Bobby Valentine, former baseball player and manager and former Stamford Director of Public Safety
General election Campaign Bobby Valentine's candidacy has generated media scrutiny after he accidentally uploaded a Cameo video showing him failing to pick up his dogs poo from a neighbors yard. Valentine claimed he couldn't recall intentionally not picking it up. Debates DateLocationLinkOctober 19, 2021Ferguson LibraryFull Debate-Prometheum Foundation
Fundraising Caroline Simmons campaign finance reports as of October 24, 2021Quarter1st quarter (2/11/2021—2/31/2021)2nd quarter (4/1/2021—6/30/2021)7th day preceding primary (7/1/2021—9/5/2021)3rd quarter (9/6/2021—9/30/2021)7th day preceding election (10/1/2021—10/24/2021)CandidateTotal raisedContributors% who livein StamfordTotal raisedContributors% who livein StamfordTotal raisedContributors% who livein StamfordTotal raisedContributors% who livein StamfordTotal raisedContributorsTotal Caroline Simmons$157,68848433%$81,61942060%$35,69567N/A$148,85412654%$247,145131$681,751.49
Bobby Valentine campaign finance reports as of October 24, 2021Quarter1st quarter (January—March 2021)2nd quarter (4/1/2021—5/30/2021)3rd quarter (7/1/2021—9/30/2021)7th day preceding election (10/1/2021—10/24/2021)CandidateTotal raisedContributors% who livein StamfordTotal raisedContributors% who livein StamfordTotal raisedContributors% who livein StamfordTotal raisedContributorsTotal Bobby Valentinedid not file$303,21996450%$208,87683466%$44,71999$556,814.21
Results
+Votes by district District Caroline Simmons Bobby Valentine 1 881 1054 2 463 405 3 515 365 4 455 359 5 431 86 6 713 493 7 592 425 8 543 567 9 455 236 10 633 404 11 803 646 12 637 497 13 1105 1228 14 935 772 15 897 736 16 1246 1057 17 879 861 18 984 1469 19 1158 1130 20 1241 1270
Notes
References