Former City Councilman Tito Ayala, left, campaigned Tuesday in front of Marin School with his nephew Andres Ayala who won the Democratic primary for State Senate. The East Side precinct was key for both Andres Ayala and his cousin Christina Ayala who won the Democratic primary to replace him in his State House seat.
Unofficial results of State Senate primary including Stratford and absentee ballots: Ayala 2129, Newton 1739, Gomes 1138.
State Rep. Andres Ayala, riding a mighty absentee ballot operation, a legislative base and the political organization of Mayor Bill Finch has won the Democratic primary for State Senate in Connecticut’s 23rd District, defeating incumbent Ed Gomes and Ernie Newton’s quest for redemption following corruption charges that forced his resignation from the seat in 2005. Ayala is the prohibitive favorite to become the city’s first Latino state senator in November’s general election.
Unofficial returns show Ayala defeated Newton in a close contest. Gomes conceded at his campaign headquarters on Stratford Avenue shortly after the polls closed at 8 p.m. Unofficial results, according to elections officials, had Ayala up by more than 100 votes on the machine count over Newton, but Ayala has won the absentee ballot count by roughly 250 votes. Newton ran strong in his East End base support and other areas of the city.
Across most of the district that comprises about 70 percent of Bridgeport and a portion of western Stratford Ayala operatives churned out the vote in a pathetically low voter turnout. Ayala ran up large pluralities in his home base on the East Side where supporters pushed his ballot position on Line B while also promoting the top line position of his cousin Christina Ayala who won her primary to replace him in the State House over challenger Angel Reyes.
Primaries are all about identifying friends and dragging them to the polls. A number of Mayor Bill Finch’s political operatives assisted with this effort. As expected absentee ballots played a key in the primary win with Ayala winning an overwhelming number of them, according to elections officials. Ayala also captured the support of new voters in the Hooker and Beardsley School precincts that were carved into the district as a result of state-required redistricting. Ayala won the absentee ballot count in Bridgeport, 432 to Newton’s 176. Gomes had 78 absentee ballot votes.
“Congratulations to Andres Ayala on a well deserved win,” Finch announced Tuesday evening. “His experience and leadership in the House of Representatives will enable him to do even more for the citizens of Bridgeport when he takes his seat with his colleagues in the Senate.”
The primary day turnout across the city was low. At the halfway point of voting at 1 p.m. roughly 1500 voters across Connecticut’s 23rd Senate District had voted by machine. Turnout increased late afternoon but the pace was hard pressed to eclipse the mid teens across the entire district.
A number of voters who were redistricted out of the Senate district expressed frustration that they could not vote for Gomes at Hallen School in the North End. Gomes lost rock-solid votes when Democratic party leaders in Hartford changed the district lines to accommodate State Senator Anthony Musto who represents the city’s adjoining Senate district that includes suburban Trumbull and Monroe. Still, this was an area where Newton ran strong.
Bags bagging votes for Gomes. John Bagley, legendary Bridgeport hoop star, campaigned on behalf of Ed Gomes in the West End. Bags is also a Board of Education candidate for the September 4 special election on the Working Families Party line.
Andres Ayala spent much of the day campaigning in front of Marin School, his legislative base on the East Side. He was joined by his uncle Tito Ayala, former City Councilman, who was urging voters to fill in the top-line oval of his daughter Christina Ayala, who’s running for Andres Ayala’s State House seat, as well as voting for Andres on Line B.
Veteran East Side district leader Gil Hernandez campaigned with State Rep. candidate Christina Ayala at Geraldine Johnson School off North Avenue and Marin School. Christina defeated her opponent Angel Reyes.
Christina Ayala, the Democratic party endorsed candidate, spent her day campaigning in front of Geraldine Johnson School the precinct that serves the Hollow portion of Connecticut’s 128th State House District.
The Big Wave former State Rep. Chris Caruso called voters on behalf of Gomes.
Ernie Newton opened his day greeting voters at Dunbar School in the East End. Newton counted on a large percentage of the vote from the East End where he lives and has represented his entire political career.
Andrew C Fardy // Aug 14, 2012 at 2:59 pm
My wife and I voted today at Thomas Hooker. My wife is having trouble walking and I spoke to the moderator whose name I do not recall.
The moderator was excellent and informed me of curbside voting. Curbside voting meansI go inside and inform them I have a person with difficulty walking. The moderator and a worker come outside with a ballot and an envelope and my wife could vote from the car.
This moderator was excellent and well informed. To her I say thank you.
lisawhite // Aug 14, 2012 at 7:24 pm
Thank you for the tip about curbside voting. I found a parking space close enough to the voting entrance at Blackham school and managed to walk in to vote. I’ll have to remember this for the BOE special election and the Nov general election.
donj // Aug 14, 2012 at 3:03 pm
Good to know. Did you recall how much votes were cast?
Andrew C Fardy // Aug 14, 2012 at 3:11 pm
Sorry donj, I did not check. It was early AM.
flubadub // Aug 14, 2012 at 3:05 pm
I vote at Central High School. When I went around noon, the gates from Madison Ave into the parking lot were locked. You then need to enter from Lincoln Blvd. The roadway leading to the Polling area is one way the wrong way. I’m still an able-bodied individual, but anyone with any mobility problems would have a hike to get into the polls. Good to know about the curbside voting for those with a disablity. I called Registrars Office to alert them. They are aware but seem powerless to get BOE to open gates. You don’t need to put stumbling blocks in the way of voting access.
Andrew C Fardy // Aug 14, 2012 at 3:10 pm
This curbside voting is a well-kept secret. I have been active in politic for more than 30 years and on the TC for 15-plus years and never heard of curbside voting until today.
Maybe the politicians could tighten up the rules for getting absentee ballots and push curbside voting. I know I must be dreaming; if that were the case Lydia Martinez would never get elected and Santiago would have to find a new mission other than stealing elections.
Andrew C Fardy // Aug 14, 2012 at 3:12 pm
While I am on a roll, how is the ferry to Pleasure Beach working out?
Mojo // Aug 14, 2012 at 4:54 pm
*** Was I being too nice in my early prediction of an 18% to 20% voter turnout today? The way things are going the polls will be lucky to register a 12% Zombieland turnout! During my work travels today I asked and reminded a few people about voting today; their response was “for what?” ABs and “curbside voting” might be the old and new ticket in winning today’s primary, no? *** LOONEY TUNES PRIMARY ***
yahooy // Aug 14, 2012 at 5:52 pm
The brain-dead registered voters who did not get off their asses to vote today are actually LOCAL EYES in drag.
Local Eyes // Aug 14, 2012 at 7:33 pm
Dragging brain-dead voters to the polls is a thankless job, so I made sure all those assclowns got one of these before they got back on the bus:
3.bp.blogspot.com/_qriyC0nEIDs/TI-IDJmd0xI/AAAAAAAACH8/BF_g6JhF_wk/s1600/I-voted-sticker.jpg
donj // Aug 14, 2012 at 5:55 pm
‘Bout to head out to vote.
Mojo // Aug 14, 2012 at 6:46 pm
*** Hey donj, don’t forget to get a count at Black Rock; and if you see Murphy, ask him how his “no jobs plan” is working. ***
Grin Reaper // Aug 14, 2012 at 6:44 pm
Where are your love updates?
Your field reports?
Your instant analysis?
donj // Aug 14, 2012 at 7:20 pm
As of 6:49 pm 421 people have voted at Black Rock. I was the 421st voter.
Mojo // Aug 14, 2012 at 7:39 pm
*** THANKS! ***
Zena Lu // Aug 14, 2012 at 8:11 pm
When is Ernie going to stop referring to himself in the third Newton?
flubadub // Aug 14, 2012 at 10:17 pm
Probably never. He certainly is enamored of his own name. Look at his quotes in the CT Post article on tonight’s election.
Bob // Aug 15, 2012 at 12:10 am
When he realizes he needs to get a real job.
Zena Lu // Aug 14, 2012 at 8:54 pm
Wow. 26% reported and Shays just conceded.
Chosen 1 // Aug 14, 2012 at 9:31 pm
Whoever that was who called Ayala “fat and stupid,” he won by over 300 votes. That was just plain not right.
donj // Aug 14, 2012 at 9:34 pm
Lennie, any precinct numbers?
Baffled in Bridgeport // Aug 14, 2012 at 9:36 pm
Turnout, turnout, turnout. Not sure what day Bridgeport voters will figure out they can make a difference–if they turn out. There is real power for the taking there–it’s just not enough folks get it.
yahooy // Aug 14, 2012 at 9:42 pm
Newton got beat. You certainly cannot redeem stupid.
Mojo // Aug 14, 2012 at 10:18 pm
*** WHAT WAS THE TOTAL AVERAGE PERCENTAGE OF CITYWIDE MACHINE VOTES TODAY, LENNIE??? (I’m really asking for donj!) ***
LennieGrimaldi // Aug 14, 2012 at 10:32 pm
Mojo, unofficially the turnout is roughly 15 percent.
donj // Aug 14, 2012 at 10:30 pm
lmao at Mojo.
Jim Callahan // Aug 15, 2012 at 12:51 am
Bpt registrar of voters, unofficial until certified. Remember, does not include Stratford, does include ABs.
Newton: 1,563
Ayala: 2,035
Gomes: 960
Jim Callahan // Aug 15, 2012 at 12:57 am
128 state rep primary
C. Ayala 514
Reyes 302
This dist. is all in Bpt, includes ABs, unofficial returns until certified by the secretary of the state.
yahooy // Aug 15, 2012 at 8:55 am
I am in a very interesting conversation at the Colony Diner. It appears the overwhelming consensus is convicted political corruption felon Ernest T. Newton has seen the last of his attempts to defile the public trust. Everyone who was ever going to vote for him, legally or not, voted for him.
Ernest T., the peeps have spoken. You’re toast. Now, in one final magnanimous gesture, please part Long Island Sound and walk your ass on out of here. Don’t look back, no one is following.
Andrew C Fardy // Aug 15, 2012 at 9:02 am
Does anyone have the AB count for each candidate?
LennieGrimaldi // Aug 15, 2012 at 9:56 am
Absentee ballots: Ayala 432, Newton 176, Gomes 78.
Fluckarella // Aug 15, 2012 at 9:26 am
I think Chris Shays would make a great mayor.
Black Rockin // Aug 15, 2012 at 11:19 am
Chris Shays a mayor of where?
Somewhere in Iraq I guess, he liked the place.
harley76 // Aug 15, 2012 at 9:37 am
It is a sad day for Bridgeport and a sad day for Ed Gomes. Senator Gomes was double-crossed by Nancy DiNardo who took his solid block of votes and shifted them into Musto’s district. The unions that Ed had supported for 30 years turned against him and went with the Finch candidate. Yeah I’m talking about AFSCME. The AB operation was as strong as ever. I would like to see the attendance sheet at the East Side senior center. How many of Martha’s seniors voted AB and then came to the center? Only Martha and Lydia know for sure. There is no room for an honest honorable man like Senator Gomes in Bridgeport politics. Only room for self-serving greedy politicians. Time to move. There is no hope in Mudville.
Andrew C Fardy // Aug 15, 2012 at 11:13 am
The head of AFSCME has her head so far up Finch’s ass she can’t see daylight. Shame on the members who keep electing her.
yahooy // Aug 15, 2012 at 9:44 am
Keila Torres,
harley76′s suggestion that the senior center sign-in sheets be compared against the AB list is something you might want to report on.
Andrew C Fardy // Aug 15, 2012 at 11:17 am
You can bet Martha’s seniors voted absentee. She brings them to every big fundraiser where they eat and drink for free. Martha was heavily backing Ayala and Martha is not above doing what has to be done. That’s politics according to Martha.