Stamford Election Results 2023: Projected Winners In Key Races

All results are unofficial

STAMFORD, CT — Stamford residents on Tuesday hit the polls to vote in several key races and to determine a ballot question regarding proposed charter changes.

According to unofficial results from the Stamford Registrar of Voters, 11,101 voters opposed the charter change, while 8,485 supported the changes.

Mayor Caroline Simmons opposed the charter revision, as did the Democratic City Committee.

"In effect, these changes award more power to the Board of Representatives, upending the critical checks and balances that are one of the primary tenants of our democracy," the DCC said in a statement on their website on Oct. 31. "Unlike previous Charter Revisions, which have separated each proposal into individual questions, giving voters a choice of which proposed changes to support or reject, voters have only one choice—to vote yes or no on one vaguely written and intentionally misleading question."

Read the full DCC statement here.

The following question appeared on Tuesday's ballot with the option to vote "yes" or "no."

1. "Shall the Charter be revised to clarify and make it easier for the public to understand, have access to and hold more accountable Stamford's government by the following: (a) create more opportunities for the public to participate in government; (b) clarify, define and make more understandable certain common terms in the charter; (c) require clear reporting and accountability for legislative, legal and fiscal matters; (d) include recognition of diversity, equity and inclusion ("DEI") as an important goal for the City; (e) end the practice of allowing members of decision-making boards and commissions to remain in office beyond the expiration of their term; (f) clarify the requirement that certain appointed executive officials live in Stamford, subject to a waiver provision; (g) allow the Board of Representatives to obtain legal services, as necessary, as do other local legislative bodies in Connecticut (h) create new charter boards and commissions to promote the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act/DEI, mental health, housing and harbor management; and, (i) reorganize the budget process to permit residents to voice their opinions and concerns in a pre-budget public hearing, require publication of a budget calendar and ensure compliance with state law?"

Board of Finance

Democrats Mary Lou Rinaldi (13,003 votes) and Geoff Alswanger (12,330 votes) won re-election, according to unofficial results from the CT Secretary of State election results website.

Laura Burwick (12,183 votes), also a Democrat, won a four-year term. She was appointed last year to fill a seat vacated by Democrat David Mannis.

Republican candidate Thomas Kuczynski totaled 7,953 votes.

Board of Education — full term

Democratic Andy George (11,888 votes) won re-election. Fellow Democrats Gabriela Koc (11,130 votes), and Antonia Better-Wirz (10,870 votes) also won seats on the school board.

Republicans Michael Arcano (8,095 votes) and Nicola Tarzia (8,046 votes) failed to win seats.

Board of Education — to fill a one-year vacancy

Democrat incumbent and Board Chair Jackie Heftman ran unopposed.

Constable

Democrat Tiffany Pippins ran unopposed.

Board of Representatives — to fill a vacancy for two years

District 5: Democrat Dakary Watkins ran unopposed

District 7: Democrat Christina Strain totaled 443 votes against Republican Michael Battinelli's 209 votes.

District 9: Democrat Kindrea Walston ran unopposed.

District 18: The race between Democrat Karen Camporeale and Republican Stephen Garst for the District 18 Board of Reps. seat is too close to call and appears to be headed for a recount, according to the Stamford Advocate.

Unofficial results from the CT Secretary of State show Camporeale with 802 votes, and Garst with 796 votes.

District 20: Democrat Carl Weinberg totaled 1,088 votes, while Republican Vito Quivelli had 655 votes.