Figueroa Wins Special Election For 148th House District

STAMFORD, CT — According to unofficial results, Democrat Anabel Figueroa has won the special election in Stamford for the vacant 148th House District seat.

Voters braved the snow and icy conditions on Tuesday to cast their vote. Figueroa tallied 584 votes against Republican Olga D. Anastos' 373 votes.

The 148th House District covers the area from Glenbrook down to the Cove. The seat was left open after Democrat Dan Fox resigned in January before the legislative session began.

The Stamford Advocate reported that Figueroa is believed to be the first Hispanic candidate elected to represent Stamford in the state legislature.

Figueroa has a degree in elementary education and therapeutic recreation. She has been a unit coordinator at Norwalk Hospital for the last 20 years.

She comes into the state representative role with previous government experience, as she was first elected to the Stamford Board of Representatives in 2001.

Figueroa told Patch recently that the biggest issue affecting her constituents is housing.

"I constantly get phone calls from constituents who are desperately in need of a place to live. While Stamford has been over developed there is not enough affordable housing," Figueroa said. "There is an urgent need to pass housing reforms so that we can increase the percentage of affordable housing in new developments as well as establishing rental assistance that helps renters and landlords."

She also said she plans to address education funding and increasing state support for those without medical benefits and those struggling to pay their monthly premiums.

Anastos' family owns Curley's Diner in Stamford, where she has worked for more than 20 years in different roles. She said she decided to seek elected office after seeing friends, neighbors, and patrons move out of Stamford in recent years.

In a Facebook post Wednesday morning, Anastos said it was an "uphill battle" for her campaign.

"We did not get the victory tonight, but we did re-energize a community. We almost won in my home neighborhood, which is usually a much bigger difference, and that is telling. We learned a lot, and the main takeaway is awareness about what is going on and to take action. Voters need to be informed as to what is going on in Hartford and in Stamford," Anastos said. "We started that process on my campaign, and we will have to continue to bring these issues that affect us. I will not stop fighting. I hope Anabel will stand up for Stamford against the pressures of Hartford like I would have if we succeeded tonight."