Endorsed Candidates Win Democratic Primaries in Both State House Districts
Endorsed Candidates Win Democratic Primaries in Both State House Districts
Plus: Latest Developments After Figueroa’s Antisemitic Comments
STAMFORD — After months of campaigning across the city, Eilish Collins Main and Jonathan Jacobson both declared victory in their respective races on the night of Tuesday, August 13.
Turnout was at 19.63% in Stamford for the Democratic Primary, Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas’s office recorded. In comparison, statewide turnout was lower at 16.02%.
Continue reading for more information about the primary and results.
146th District
According to Secretary of the State Thomas, Collins Main earned 548 votes and incumbent State Representative David Michel received 435 votes. This equated to a win of 55.75% to 44.25%.
On election night, Collins Main reacted to her victory in commenting to the Stamford Advocate. “I want to thank the voters of the 146th District for putting their faith in me. It wasn’t an easy decision to run, but they have now indicated it was the right one. We must address the issues that matter to them, including affordability, quality of life and education, and I pledge to do just that,” she said. “For now, it’s on to November where I hope to once again earn the support of voters throughout our community."
In a Facebook post the day after the election, Michel said “I lost the primary last night for those still waiting for some news.” The incumbent legislator then wrote at length about why he thought the result did not end in his favor before pivoting to question Collins Main’s capabilities as a potential lawmaker. “My opponent needs to start studying in case she makes it as a legislator,” he said.
Michel also openly deliberated on his options now, hinting that he might continue on as a third party candidate, like he did when running for the state senate with the Green Party in 2014, despite collecting signatures and getting a Citizens’ Election Program grant worth $36,500 to run as a Democrat and force a primary.
Republicans previously selected Stamford resident Jim Malerba to be their nominee.
148th District
In the matchup of city Representative Jonathan Jacobson and State Representative Anabel Figueroa, who also serves as a city representative and Democratic City Committee (DCC) member, the endorsed Democrat Jacobson finished with 600 votes to Figueroa’s 358 votes, data from the Secretary of the State’s office stated. It was a big win for Jacobson by more than 25 points (62.63% to 37.37%).
After Figueroa’s political ally, DCC member Eva Padilla, was widely rebuked for an antisemitic Facebook post ahead of the election, the candidate herself was in hot water for an interview that she conducted in late July.
The triple-dipping politician was caught in the conversation saying, at one point, that “[t]he Hispanic vote is going to determine on August 13th who will win to represent or who will continue to represent you. We cannot permit a person who is of Jewish origin, of Jewish origin, to represent our community. It’s impossible.”
Mayor Caroline Simmons swiftly called out the derogatory language, saying “I strongly condemn the antisemitic comments made by Representative Figueroa. One of our city’s greatest strengths is our diversity and such divisive language has no place in our political discourse or community.”
The Stamford DCC Executive Board spoke out as well, stating “[t]his shameful behavior not only demonstrates a lack of integrity and character but makes Anabel Figueroa unfit to serve in office, and we call on her to resign immediately as a member of the Stamford Democratic City Committee.”
Jacobson reacted in a similar tone. “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. … These are the principles I hold myself to every day,” Jacobson said. “I will always condemn hate speech and bigotry, especially when it comes from an elected official. Silence is complicity.”
In speaking with The New York Times, Jacobson indicated that his decisive win was largely due to his campaign’s effective approach on the campaign trail rather than any impact from Figueroa’s harmful attacks.
“Ultimately, her hate, that’s not what lost her the election; her hate is not what won me the election,” he said.
On Wednesday, August 14, Connecticut Public uncovered additional antisemitic statements made in a separate interview.
In another more recent Spanish-language interview streamed on Facebook on Aug. 3, Figueroa made similar remarks challenging Jacobson’s ability to represent Black and Latino residents in Stamford because he is Jewish.
“I say this with respect. I think if this person were running to represent people from their community or if they were mixed, I think I would respect it. But in my community, we don’t have people like him, from his community,” she said in the video, according to an English translation by Connecticut Public.
In response, the DCC leadership called on Figueroa to step down from all three of her elected positions. Mayor Simmons echoed that sentiment. “Enough is enough - this despicable and hateful language has no place in our city, especially coming from an elected official.”
Jacobson agreed and then emphasized his focus on the general election. “As painful as these attacks have been, they have not diminished the pride my campaign team, supporters and I feel and the gratitude we have for all the voters who came out on Tuesday to vote,” he said. “I look forward to turning my full attention to winning the November 5th election.”
Republican Olga Anastos, who ran unsuccessfully in the special election last year, launched her latest campaign for the 148th District seat on Thursday, July 25.
On Friday, August 16, Figueroa resigned from the city Board of Representatives. She will remain a state representative until her term expires in early 2025 and a DCC member for District 8 until that current term expires in 2026 — unless she resigns or is removed before then.
The next DCC meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 28, when action could be taken regarding the controversial behavior of Padilla and Figueroa.
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