Stamford Election 2019 Preview: What You Need To Know

STAMFORD, CT — This election season, there are a number of big races happening across the state. For instance, Greenwich will vote on top town government positions, including first selectman, when the polls open on Nov. 5.

Similar high-profile races will take place in nearby communities like Norwalk, Fairfield and Milford to name a few.

In contrast, there are only a few races Stamford residents will have to vote on when Election Day arrives: Board of Education and Board of Finance. Additionally, there is one race for a seat on the Board of Representatives in District 14.

There are no real "top of the ticket" races in Stamford this year. Mayor David Martin, who is currently halfway through his second term, was re-elected in 2017, beating out Republican candidate Barry Michelson and independent candidate John Zito Jr. for the city's top elected position.

Martin declined to be interviewed prior to the election about the past two years of his term, as he did not want to detract from these local races by talking about his administration.

This is not to say the races residents will be voting on next month are unimportant by any means. This year, there are seven candidates running for a full term on the Board of Education, three of which are Republicans and three who are Democrats. There is also a Green Party entry.

Those candidates are: Fritz G. Chery (D), Daniel Dauplaise (D), Jennienne Burke (D), Nicola Tarzia (R), Rebecca Hamman (R), Margaret Feeney (R) and Rolf Maurer (G).

Additionally, Democrat Jack Bryant will face off against Republican Eva Maldonado to fill a one-year vacancy on the board.

A retired 30-year veteran of the Stamford Police Department, Maldonado revealed in a candidate profile for Patch that she has two grandsons who attend Stamford public schools.

With over a decade of experience as a school resource officer, she was actively involved in several violence prevention task forces, as well as developing policy regarding school violence, she said.

"I am passionate about helping children achieve a better future," Maldonado said. "I look forward to representing all the children and families in our city."

Are you running for office in Stamford? Contact RJ Scofield at rj.scofield@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Stamford Patch.

The Board of Finance race will feature six candidates, three Republicans and three Democrats, this year: Geoff Alswanger (D), Mary Lou Rinaldi (D), David Kooris (D), Andrew Krill (R), Chris Woodside (R) and Fritz Blau (R).

The lone race for a seat on the city's Board of Representatives will take place in District 14, where Democratic candidate Jeff Curtis and Republican incumbent Tony Spadaccini are both vying to fill a two-year vacancy.

Spadaccini was appointed to the board in August 2018, and has also served as chief operating officer of View Entertainment in Stamford for nearly a decade. He revealed in a Patch candidate profile that, if elected, he is determined to continue an ongoing pursuit of repairing neglected roadways in the city.

"I will always fight for the residents of my district," Spadaccini said. "I am known as a person who gets things done."