Cock A Doodle Doo! Gomes Endorses Foster–Unity Lunch At Red Rooster–Reform Theme

Afternoon UPDATE: John Gomes withdrew as a mayoral candidate Monday morning and threw his support behind Mary-Jane Foster, setting the stage for a one-on-one Democratic primary showdown against Mayor Bill Finch September 13, assuming Foster’s petition signatures are certified to make the ballot. Wednesday is the deadline to submit signatures from at least five percent of Democratic primary voters.

Gomes was the first to enter the race for mayor more than a year ago after a falling-out with the mayor from his removal as chief of the government-efficiency CitiStat Department. Gomes says he and the mayor knocked heads when Gomes tried to take on some of the city’s political sacred cows. Gomes’ removal came shortly after a confrontation he had with a city police officer at a Cape Verdean social club. Gomes says that had nothing to do with his dismissal.

Following the announcement at City Hall Annex, Foster and Gomes supporters headed over to Gomes’ popular deli the Red Rooster off North Avenue.

With five weeks left before the primary this race promises to be a volcanic mudslinger between Finch and Foster. Stay tuned. From Foster:

John Gomes Withdraws from Bridgeport Mayor’s Race; Endorses Mary-Jane Foster

Gomes: “Fight must continue–until victory is won”

Foster files 2000+ signatures with Registrars office

Democratic candidates for mayor of Bridgeport John M. Gomes and Mary-Jane Foster joined forces in a partnership today with the announcement that Mr. Gomes is withdrawing from the race and will fully support Ms. Foster’s candidacy for mayor. Gomes and Foster addressed an enthusiastic midday crowd at City Hall Annex just prior to entering the Registrar’s office, where Gomes submitted the paperwork to withdraw his candidacy. Foster also submitted more than 2000 signed petitions for her citywide slate to be placed on the ballot for the September 13th primary.

“Mary-Jane and I come from different backgrounds, but we share the same deep passion for this community and its people. It is imperative that one of us be elected,” stated Gomes. “After a year on the campaign trail, visiting hundreds of businesses, knocking on thousands of doors, and collecting the necessary number of signatures to qualify for the ballot, I will no longer be a candidate for mayor but am partnering with Mary-Jane and asking my supporters to join me to help us create a new partnership for a new Bridgeport.”

“I have the highest regard for John and the campaign he has led with passion and conviction over the last year and I appreciate his endorsement. He has worked tirelessly to reach voters, sharing his passionate call for change and governmental reform, and activating new voters to exercise their voice in the democratic process,” Foster said. “We agree on many of the issues challenging Bridgeport and both of us have been calling for wholesale change in Bridgeport’s leadership. It is our belief that by joining forces, we will take back City Hall on September 13th. Bridgeport deserves better and by unifying our forces, aligning our efforts, and solidifying our collective base of support, we are sending the clear message that we are stronger together than we are divided.

I am pleased to submit more than 2,000 signatures to the Registrar’s office today and call on all of our supporters–anyone who believes the Finch administration has failed–to add their names to our petition,” urged Foster. “Call or visit my campaign headquarters to volunteer to help us get more signatures or simply add your name to the petition. We will continue collecting signatures right up to the deadline on Wednesday.”

Over the last few weeks, Foster for Bridgeport has made great strides toward ensuring a victory on Sept. 13th. The Foster team has filed a lawsuit challenging the reconstitution of the Bridgeport Board of Education, Mary-Jane has outlined her vision for education reform, taken out petitions for a citywide slate, and filed an ethics complaint against Mayor Finch with the Bridgeport Ethics Commission and also with the SEEC.

A transcript of Mr. Gomes’ statement follows:

Good morning. When I announced my candidacy for mayor over a year ago, I said then that this isn’t about me. This is about Bridgeport and the desperate need for change and reform in this city.

The political machine that props up Bill Finch is hurting our people and blocking progress. We are never going to fix our schools, rebuild the economy, lower taxes, or change the culture at City Hall as long as Bill Finch and his machine are in control.

My campaign has been about bringing real reform and transparency to city government and breaking the machine. Those are the issues that matter most.

Without defeating Bill Finch, this will never happen. In this race, we have two reform candidates and Finch. In order to avoid a split of the reform votes, which could inadvertently re-elect Finch, I have decided to end my campaign and to partner with Mary-Jane Foster to ensure a reform victory in the primary. As committed as I am and as hard as I’ve worked, I cannot let the status quo remain in charge.

Mary-Jane and I come from different backgrounds, but we share the same deep passion for this community and its people. It is imperative that one of us be elected.

After a year on the campaign trail, visiting hundreds of businesses, knocking on thousands of doors and collecting the necessary number of signatures to qualify for the ballot, I will no longer be a candidate for mayor but am partnering with Mary-Jane and asking my supporters to join me to help us create a new partnership for a new Bridgeport.

Janet and I are very grateful to our supporters who have given so much and asked for nothing in return. We are forever humbled and thankful. To my supporters I say that our fight must continue–until victory is won. Thank you.

A transcript of Mary-Jane’s remarks follows:

Good morning! I’d like to begin by stating that I have the highest regard for John and I thank him for his endorsement today. He has worked tirelessly for over a year to reach voters, sharing his passionate call for change and governmental reform, and activating new voters to exercise their voice in the democratic process. I agree with John that together we can create a new partnership for a renewed Bridgeport. A Bridgeport that works for everyone–not just the fortunate few who are politically connected.

We both agree that Bridgeport cannot continue on the dead-end path we’re on. Our taxes are too high; our crime rate is too high; our unemployment rate is too high. We are $1.4 billion in debt, City Hall is for sale, and Mayor Finch is playing politics with our children’s education. The mayor is beating up unions for concessions while he and his staff get raises and get rich thanks to his PAC. Bridgeport cannot take another four years of missed opportunities, questionable cronyism, and failed leadership. Enough is enough!

I’ve said from the beginning of my candidacy that politics trumps policy in Bridgeport. Well, today marks an important turning point in the history of the race for mayor of Bridgeport. To my knowledge, reform candidates have never joined forces to align their message and their supporters to send one clear signal to City Hall. Today, John is putting his city first, the voters first, and partnering with me to bring positive, forward-thinking leadership to Bridgeport. Our message is clear: The time for change is NOW!

Both of us have been calling for fresh, transparent leadership and it is our belief that by joining forces, we will take back City Hall on September 13th. By unifying our forces, aligning our efforts, and solidifying our collective base of support, we are sending the clear message that we are stronger together than we are divided.

I look forward to working with John, Janet and John’s many supporters over the coming weeks as we continue to ask the tough questions, demand honest answers from City Hall. I will continue to share my vision for Bridgeport and welcome everyone who believes Bridgeport deserves better to join me as we work toward victory on September 13th!

Thank you!