Recount Complete, Winner Declared For District 18 Board Of Reps. Seat

STAMFORD, CT — A recount in the race for one of the two District 18 Board of Representatives seats is complete, and Democrat Karen Camporeale has defeated Republican incumbent Stephen Garst by just seven votes — 803 to 796 — according to the Stamford Registrar of Voters Office.

Initial unofficial results from election night showed Camporeale with 802 votes and Garst with 796. Camporeale gained a vote during the recount process which took place at the Stamford Government Center this week.

Read also: Stamford Election Results 2023: Vote Totals For Every Race

In 2021, Camporeale, the CEO of The Urban Apparel Group, ran for the same seat and lost by 14 votes to Republican Charles Florio.

Florio moved out of the district in 2022, and Garst was appointed to fill the vacancy. In order to complete the four-year term, Garst had to run in this year's election.

To challenge Garst, Camporeale won a Democratic primary over Jennienne Burke in September by just two votes. A recount was also held and confirmed results from Election Day.

During his tenure, Garst served on the Board of Reps. Fiscal, Land Use/Urban Redevelopment and Public Safety Committees.

"I believe in this city. I love this city and its people. I love the trees, the animals, the beauty, the sound, the architecture, the restaurants, but the people, most of all," Camporeale said in her Patch candidate profile last month. "I want to fight for small businesses and the working class, and to reduce taxes. I want to help our civil servants, who give so much. I want to do everything I can to uphold and improve the quality of life for all Stamford residents, while protecting this beautiful land and water that we all call home."

The other representative in District 18 is Democrat James Grunberger.

The Board of Representatives will now be comprised of 37 Democrats and three Republicans.