Martin Submits Nearly 3,000 Signatures to Qualify for September Primary.

David Martin with an impressive show of support Wednesday. The mayor of Stamford announced he has submitted “nearly 3,000” signatures from fellow Democrats to qualify for a September 14th primary against state Representative Caroline Simmons, the party-endorsed candidate.

Martin’s announcement noted he submitted almost twice the number of signatures required to force what observers expect to be an intense primary campaign. Martin gave a preview of what the next month will see. His signature news was accompanied by a shot at the wealthy Simmons, a longtime Greenwich resident. “The Mayor’s office is not for sale and it is not a stepping stone to political stardom,” Martin declared.

The Martin campaign’s signature announcement directed inquiries to Av Harris, a former official of Governor Ned Lamont’s administration who has become a bitter critic of the Greenwich Democrat. Harris, who was fired from the Department of Public Health, turned to conservative radio to tell tales of life with Lamont.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face a petitioning candidate, local hero Bobby Valentine. Simmons.