Stamford on a Summer Sunday: Simmons Ekes Out 21-19 Win Over Martin For Party Endorsement.

State Representative Caroline Simmons held off a strong challenge from incumbent David Martin to win the Democratic endorsement for mayor in a rare Sunday town committee convention. Simmons defeated Martin 21-19.

The two Democrats will face each other in a September primary in what is expected to be a bitter contest between privilege and grit. Martin has been counted out before. Martin won his first term in 2013, inflicting a stunning primary defeat on Attorney General William Tong, then a state representative from Stamford. Martin won an easy re-election four years later.

Simmons is originally from neighboring Greenwich. Her wealthy family enjoys warm relations with Governor Ned Lamont.

The winner of the primary will face independent candidate and Stamford favorite son Bobby Valentine.