Bobby Valentine has been a Republican all his life. Yet, when he ran to be Mayor of Stamford, CT he ran as an “unaffiliated” candidate. The sham was apparent. The Stamford GOP didn’t run a candidate for Mayor and through all its weight behind Valentine. Valentine received donations from Top Republicans, including George Bush and Trump administration officials. The entire GOP city committee was all over FB and social media promoting Bobby. Even the CT Independent party saw through the sham and endorsed Simmons over the so-called unaffiliated Valentine.
Stamford is a Democratic stronghold, but Bobby thought he could coast to victory on his name alone. The problem is, he faced a strong, smart 35-year old woman who knew to do her homework.
If you looked at both candidates’ websites, Caroline Simmons stated the problems and gave potential solutions. Valentine’s site just gave platitudes about “supporting the schools.” At debates Simmons talked circles around Bobby, and whenever he was asked what he’d do to solve a problem he talked about “bringing in experts.”
Now Bobby had other problems, including insulting renters in a city were 40% of residents are renters, and referring to Simmons as a “girl” in a demeaning fashion, but whenever I spoke to anybody who was generally on the fence as to who to vote for, they always cited Simmons’ handling of herself in knowing what the local issues were and having solutions to those problems.
There was an unusually high turnout for the election, 40% compared to 27% for the last mayoral election, and Simmons prevailed by just 1500 votes. They had to go into the absentee ballots to decide, but in the end she pulled it off.
What does this election show? First, LOCAL ISSUES matter. Knowing the problems and telling people how to solve them. Second, GETTING YOUR VOTERS OUT matters. Simmons’ campaign worked overtime to ID their voters and get them to the polls. Providing absentee ballot applications, following up on those applications, then following up on getting the ballots in. They canvassed, IDed their voters, then got them to the polls on election day, including providing rides for the many city residents who don’t own cars.
Up and down the Gold Coast of CT it was a great day for Republicans, winning local elections because of low turn-out, in the bluest of blue towns and cities. Simmons’ “win” over a local big name and celebrity shows Democrats can win. We just need to do our homework, focus on local issues, and, most importantly, RAMP UP OUR GOTV campaigns.