In politics and government you’re only as successful as the relationships you build. All across Connecticut’s 23rd Senate District Andres Ayala talked about his relationships with Governor Dannel Malloy and Mayor Bill Finch that will be beneficial to the future of Bridgeport and Stratford. It’s a contrast he shaped against opponents incumbent Ed Gomes and Ernie Newton who occupied the seat before Gomes. It’s a message that paid off on Tuesday complemented by an East Side legislative base, a powerful absentee ballot operation and Finch’s political organization.
Whether campaign forums, door knocking, mail pieces and phone calls, Ayala showed a diplomatic touch. It resonated with the new electors in the district who voted at Hooker and Beardsley School precincts. Previously they had voted in the adjoining State Senate district but were carved in recently as a result of state-required redistricting. Ayala did not talk trash against his opponents. Instead he focused on what he has done as a legislator in the State House and what can be accomplished through the relationships he’s built. He was a supporter of Malloy for governor in 2010. He also has a working relationship with Finch while Gomes and Newton do not. Strong relationships with a governor and a mayor equals strength. As an example he pointed out state money he delivered to the Steel Point redevelopment area that falls within his legislative district. And in a way he was saying you ain’t seen nothing yet.
As frustrated as some voters can become about city progress, they prefer public officials who can work together. It seems a fit for Ayala’s low-key personality. Ayala, a city educator, spent years as a classroom teacher. Come November he’ll officially become a class of 36 in the State Senate assuming a win over Republican candidate Casimir Mizera of Stratford. (Ayala has a Goliath registration advantage over Mizera.) A sidebar to Ayala’s victory is his becoming the first Latino to serve Bridgeport in the State Senate. While Ayala offers his heritage as a pride point he did not wear it on his sleeve during the campaign, a message that represents a broad constituency.
What of Gomes and Newton? Ed Gomes, whether on the City Council or State Senate, has been a good, honest, decent force for the city. He’s a youthful-looking 76, despite heart surgery one year ago. He waited a long time to finally announce his intentions to seek reelection. He did not form a candidate committee until after the legislative session in May. This allowed Ayala in the game. It’s difficult to kick up a campaign operation when some of the needed pieces gravitate to opponents. When you start early enough it can stop others from getting in.
As for Newton, his Tuesday showing did not embarrass his quest for redemption following corruption charges that forced him from office in 2005. Newton ran up large pluralities in his East End base and won several precincts outright.
While new voters from the city’s Upper East Side were carved into the district that supported Ayala, thousands of others from the Wilbur Cross voting precinct in the North End had been shifted to the adjoining district by Senate Democratic leadership last year while Gomes was in his hospital bed, an effort to make Anthony Musto’s swing suburban district safer. They did not foresee the battle ahead for Gomes. From day one of this change Newton had claimed it would hurt him more than it would hurt Gomes because he believed he had a stronger following in that precinct. The evidence is on Newton’s side.
Newton won the Hallen School precinct that is similar in demographic makeup to Wilbur Cross voters. “They disenfranchised the largest black voting population in the district,” Newton told OIB the morning after the primary. “It hurt our community. I had voters coming up to me saying they could not vote for me.”
Still Newton did not sound bitter in defeat. He congratulated Ayala. “I knew I was running an uphill battle against Finch and the rest,” he said. For Newton “redemption and opportunity,” as his campaign message proclaimed, is a work in progress.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Unofficial results of the State Senate primary including Stratford: Ayala 2129, Newton 1739, Gomes 1138.
You simply cannot redeem stupid. “He’s not going anywhere?” He’s got no place to go. The ‘PEEPS’ have spoken. The man is toast.
Precinct by precinct numbers? Was shocked Ayala won on machine totals.
“Come November he’ll officially become a class of 36 in the State Senate.” Lennie, it might be a fait accompli, but Ayala still has to win election in November. Just sayin’.
Yes he does, flub. The Republican State Senate candidate is Casimir Mizera of Stratford. I don’t suppose you’d bet the house on Mizera who faces a 10 to 1 registration disadvantage, but that’s why they hold elections.
Lennie, that may be true in other areas but not Bridgeport.
*** flub, the local city Pols elections are over, trust! ***
*** Except for some State and Fed elections, seems like for most of the “local” political seats the Dems are running for it’s a wrap, no? Why spend any more taxpayer campaign money if the opposing sides have no candidates or chance of winning come Nov? *** $PEND, $PEND, $PEND ***
Mojo,
If Ayala, Newton and Gomes each received some $80-90,000 of public money to run in the primary, and if the total votes are close to the unofficial tally Lennie shows above, the State is out some $250,000 to get about 5,000 people out to vote in that district. That is an expense of $50 per ballot cast and does not include the expenses to the City of Bridgeport for its Registrar of Voters staffing and equipment for the day.
Is it time to fine those who are registered and do not vote? Alternatively, is it possible to de-register a voter (and whatever expense or expectation that potential voter creates) when they fail to vote for a certain period? Our public dollars should be productive and efficient. Time will tell.
I wonder if the 1000 or so idiots who voted for Newton gave him some of that $40,000 he is accused of diverting from campaign funds to his personal account.