Stamford, Connecticut's second biggest city, is heating up as mayoral incumbent David Martin goes up against fellow Democrat Caroline Simmons.

Martin, who has been mayor for the past seven years, had to collect 1,500 signatures to force a Democratic primary after the party endorsed Simmons - who currently represents the city in the Connecticut legislature. Martin’s campaign says turned in 3,000 signatures - twice what’s needed - this week.

Now Democratic voters will decide who’s on the November ballot.

"I hear from so many residents who don't feel that their voice is heard, and I want to make our city government work better," says Simmons, after she acknowledged that Martin has led the city through unprecedented growth.

"We've turned so many things around. We've got a long ways still to go, but we've turned around our finances. We've paved almost 100 miles of roads; still got 100 more to go," says Martin.

Whoever wins will face not one, but two opponents - former police officer and Republican Joe Corsello and baseball legend Bobby Valentine, who is running unaffiliated.

Valentine has already raised a massive $300,000 war chest. Both Democrats say he is a threat.

"I'm optimistic that we're going to beat him. We have a track record of success. I've delivered for the people of Stamford over the past seven and a half years," says Simmons.

"We've got a celebrity running. We've got someone with a lot of charisma running. But they're show horses. Now let me tell you, I'm the work horse," says Martin.

Stamford Democrats will head to the polls on Sept. 14 to pick their candidate.

Anyone can now vote by mail due to the pandemic. Absentee ballots for the Democratic primary are being sent out Aug. 24.