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The contest drew national attention due to Valentine's status as a former Major League Baseball player and manager and wound up being closer than some expected considering Stamford's heavily Democratic status.
Late Tuesday night, Nov. 3, Valentine conceded to Simmons, who will become the first female mayor in Stamford history.
“You chose to embark on a future for our great city that builds on our strengths," Simmons, a 35-year-old state representative, told supporters at an election night gathering Third Place Half Full Brewery in downtown Stamford.
After starting the day by voting at Stillmeadow Elementary School, Simmons was joined by Gov. Ned Lamont and State Sen. Bob Duff in an appearance nearby at the Westover School.
The outcome of the race in what is now Connecticut's second-most populated city didn't become official until absentee ballot counts were completed around midnight on Wednesday, Nov. 3.
The 71-year-old Valentine tweeted at 12:14 a.m. Wednesday: "It’s time for me to congratulate the new mayor of Stamford, Caroline Simmons. Thank you all for your support, it’s been my honor."
In other races, Republicans held on to seats in Danbury, Darien, Stratford, Westport, and New Britain and flipped offices in Bristol, Colchester, and Windsor Locks.
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