⚓️ DEEP DIVE ⚓️ Analysis: Endorsed Democrats Facing Incumbents in Democratic Primaries for Two State House Districts
⚓️ DEEP DIVE ⚓️ Analysis: Endorsed Democrats Facing Incumbents in Democratic Primaries for Two State House Districts
The closely-watched contests are in the 146th and 148th districts
STAMFORD — Democratic voters in east, central, and south Stamford have one more chance to head to the polls in two contested races for the State House. In both campaign matchups, an endorsed Democrat faces competition from an incumbent legislator.
Since late spring, the races have heated up with endorsements unveiled and hundreds of voters contacted. The 146th and 148th Districts are both party dominant.
According to the State Elections Enforcement Commission, that means that “the percentage of active electors in the district who are enrolled in a major party exceeds the percentage of active electors in the district who are enrolled in the other major party by at least 20 percentage points.”
For just the second time in state history, after the presidential primary in April, early voting was held. It was conducted from Monday, August 5, to Sunday, August 11, at Stamford Government Center.
On Tuesday, August 13, polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Click here to find your polling location.
The two incumbent legislators were not endorsed by Democratic City Committee (DCC) members in their districts. After collecting signatures, they each forced primaries –– a cost estimated by the Current to be at least several thousand dollars to cover all of the expenses associated with the Registrar of Voter and Town Clerk’s offices’ efforts for the election.
This work includes paying staff and poll workers at each location, voting equipment, ballots, signage, any facility costs for locations being used for polling places, security resources like police officers on the scene, and any other operational costs.
Here’s what else you need to know.
146th District
Areas of Stamford: Downtown, Harbor Point, South End, and Shippan
Incumbent State Representative David Michel did not receive the Democratic Party’s endorsement. Instead, it went to first-time candidate Eilish Collins Main, a community advocate and Democratic campaign veteran. The overwhelming vote was by members who were themselves elected by hundreds of fellow Democrats and only live in the 146th District.
The result indicated that Michel, who has been absent at most community and Stamford Democratic Party events in recent years, was out of touch with key members of the important political organization. In comparison, most members of the Stamford delegation have been actively involved and attending events hosted by the DCC like fundraisers to support local candidates and rallies to advocate for Democratic causes.
Aside from the Stamford Democratic Party’s formal support, Collins Main has been backed by several Democratic organizations including the statewide College Democrats and Young Democrats groups as well as former Connecticut House Speaker Moira Lyons, the first and only woman to ever represent the 146th District. Additionally, the Connecticut State Building Trades Council and Mayor Caroline Simmons are backing her.
For Michel, his support is mostly from the state level in the form of advocacy organizations largely with environmental and labor interests.
On the issues, although she has no legislative voting record yet, Collins Main has focused on three areas, which include addressing issues related to affordability, quality of life, and education. These issues also seem to be top of mind in many districts across the city and state.
Michel has been focusing on “overdevelopment” and other municipal themes. On public health, he has been skeptical of vaccination procedures. Regarding enhancements to cellular networks, Michel has pushed 5G conspiracy theories to prevent Stamford from enacting new projects to improve connectivity. On housing, he has said he supports more affordability measures, but that doesn’t seem to include a proposal relating to transit-oriented development even in a district that contains the Stamford Transportation Center.
148th District
Areas of Stamford: Cove, East Side, and Glenbrook
A similar dynamic is playing out in the other Democratic Primary happening in Stamford. Incumbent State Representative Anabel Figueroa is up against city Representative Jonathan Jacobson, who was backed by DCC members in the district to receive the Democratic Party’s official endorsement.
A major theme in the race include the ethical lapses of Figueroa, a lawmaker simultaneously serving at both the city and state levels while also being a DCC member herself. The common term “double-dipping” has increased to “triple-dipping” in this case.
Another popular issue in the campaign has been abortion and reproductive rights. In March 2024, Figueroa co-hosted a panel discussion at the state capitol highlighting reasons to oppose abortion access and similar health care resources.
"Abortion is an everyday option and I think that we need to walk away from that,” she said 80 minutes into the conversation. For a party dominant district, it is pretty bold to be so vocally against reproductive rights.
It is also why Jacobson has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Votes! Connecticut and Reproductive Equity Now, two leading reproductive rights organizations. He is also supported by Mayor Simmons, Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut, and two Young Democrats groups.
For Figueroa, she has an endorsement from a statewide labor organization.
**
On the eve of the primary’s conclusion, a DCC member posted controversial commentary on Facebook about the race.
Eva Padilla, who represents District 4, wrote at length about her perspective on the contrast between the two candidates. However, amid her comments, she labeled Jacobson as an “Israeli lawyer.”
Jacobson was quick to condemn the offensive remark. In a statement posted to social media, he began by saying, “I want to thank the Stamford DCC for calling out the anti-semitic language used by a fellow elected Democrat against me today on social media. I join them in condemning all hateful language in all forms and from any source.” Read the complete response here.
DCC leadership also quickly responded to the social media post.
“Divisive, demeaning, and derogatory language of any kind, be it antisemitism, racism, bigotry, homophobia, or misogyny, has no place in our community or in the Democratic Party, and it does not represent our shared values or beliefs,” Chair Robin Druckman and Vice Chair Lauren Meyer said in part of their statement. “Our discourse and debate about any candidate running for office should always be focused on the policies and qualifications of that candidate. Discriminatory language should never be used or tolerated, and it’s up to each of us to call out and condemn that language if we see it.”
A few hours later, Padilla removed the “Israeli” remark in the post and updated it to also say “I'm not racist.” Even later in the day, the post had been removed from Facebook altogether.
Election Day polling locations will be open from 6:00 am - 8:00 pm.
🌊