Dems Endorse Three Candidates For School Board, Black Rock City Council Incumbents Opt Out

In a quiet and quick night at the Margaret Morton Government Center, the 90-member Democratic Town Committee endorsed three candidates for Board of Education, ex mayoral candidate Lamond Daniels, current school board chair Jennifer Perez and newcomer Jowanne Burks-Jennings, an accountant in a district facing many financial challenges. Incumbent board member Joe Sokolovic, with the most senior service on the nine-member body, came up well short receiving about 20 percent support at the convention. In a letter to town committee members prior to the vote he vowed a September primary if not endorsed, a difficult slog requiring roughly 2,000 verified signatures of Democratic electors. Sokolovic, as he has in the prior two school board elections has Plan B in hand, potentially as a minor-party candidate running on the Connecticut Working Families Party line or the Bridgeport Independent Party, if endorsed. Connecticut law requires minor-party representation on school boards. Democrat Rob Traber, largely a Sokolovic ally on the school board, decided against running for a four-year term. Update: response from Traber in OIB comments section: <blockquote>(I’m surprised at you Lennie, to the best of my knowledge, Rob Traber has NOT decided what he (I’m) is doing and or made any announcements about it.</blockquote> The big news among the 10 City Council districts is the Black Rock 130th District where both veteran incumbents Matt McCarthy and Scott Burns eschewed re-election. Newcomers Galen Murray and Nicole Nelson were endorsed in their stead. See below letter the three endorsed Dems sent to the town committee <blockquote>July 20, 2025 Dear Members of the Democratic Town Committee, We respectfully submit our intent to seek the endorsement of the Democratic Party as a slate for the Bridgeport Board of Education in the upcoming election cycle. We welcome the opportunity to engage in further dialogue and are hopeful that we may earn your support. With your endorsement, we are committed to serving the staff, families, and—most importantly—the students of Bridgeport Public Schools with dedication, integrity, and excellence. Jennifer Perez: My name is Jennifer Perez, and I currently have the honor of serving as Chairperson of the Bridgeport Board of Education. Today, I am writing to formally seek your support and the Democratic Party’s nomination for the Board of Education. As a proud product of the Bridgeport Public Schools and a lifelong resident of this city, I carry with me not only lived experience, but also a deep commitment to strengthening our public education system. Since being appointed to the Board in 2023, I have worked to elevate transparency, expand community engagement, and prioritize the needs of students and families in every decision we make. As Chair, I’ve collaborated closely with the Interim Superintendent and my fellow board members to strengthen governance, update outdated policies, and implement best practices that better serve our students. I’ve led with integrity, inclusivity, and a focus on long-term stability, striving to keep student outcomes at the center of our work. My background as a licensed social worker and my professional experience in both education and mental health have grounded my leadership in equity, compassion, and systems-level thinking. I believe public education is one of our greatest tools for opportunity, and I am committed to ensuring every child in Bridgeport receives the education they deserve. I am running for the Board of Education because I believe in the work we’ve begun and I know there is more to do. With your support, I look forward to continuing the fight for safe schools, improved academic outcomes, and the resources our students, educators, and families need to thrive. I would be honored to earn your endorsement and continue serving our community. Lamond Daniels: As many of you know, I ran for mayor in the last election as a petitioning candidate. While that race had its challenges, I’ve stayed rooted in the same goal I’ve always had: to serve this city in a way that is constructive, collaborative, and centered on people. After the election, I made the decision to support the Democratic ticket. Not because I agreed with everything, but because I believed it was important to move forward. Since then, I’ve remained involved. Not always on the public stage, but in meaningful ways, including volunteering at my daughter’s school and speaking with parents and teachers about youth mental health and online safety. I’m a Bridgeport parent, a licensed clinical social worker, and a public servant with more than 20 years of experience in youth development, education, and human services. I currently serve as Chief of Community Services for the City of Norwalk, Connecticut’s sixth-largest city, where I oversee a department of 100 staff across Health, Human Services, and Library Services. I work closely with Norwalk Public Schools and the Superintendent’s Office to fund and align programs that support student well-being and family engagement. These are the kinds of partnerships I believe can strengthen outcomes here in Bridgeport as well. I also teach in the Human Services Department at Connecticut’s Community Colleges, helping to prepare the next generation of professionals committed to service and equity. Throughout my career, I have built coalitions, worked across divides, and stayed focused on impact. That is the kind of leadership I hope to bring to the Bridgeport Board of Education. Steady, collaborative, and committed to students and families. Jowanne Burks-Jennings: My name is Jowanne Burks-Jennings and I am proud to announce my candidacy for a seat on the Bridgeport Board of Education. As a lifelong supporter of our city and a passionate advocate for our children, I am seeking your support as I take this important step to help shape the future of education in our community. Our city has always held a special place in my heart. It is where I was raised, where I run my small female/minority owned financial business. Bridgeport is also where I’ve built lasting relationships, and where I continue to invest my time, energy, and love. I believe in the strength of our neighborhoods, the potential of our young people, and the power of a quality education to transform lives. My passion for children and education is deeply rooted in everything I do. I have seen firsthand how access to strong schools, dedicated teachers, and inclusive programs can create opportunities and inspire dreams. I am committed to ensuring every child in our district receives the support, resources, and encouragement they need to thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally. As a Board of Education member, I will listen to your concerns, advocate for equity and excellence in our schools, and work collaboratively to create policies that put our students first. I am not running for a title—I am running to be a voice, a partner, and a champion for our children, our educators, and our families.</blockquote>

4 comments

Grin Ripper says:

July 23, 2025 at 6:10 am

Thanks to Matt and Scott for their service!

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Rob Traber says:

July 23, 2025 at 4:49 pm

I’m surprised at you Lennie, to the best of my knowledge, Rob Traber has NOT decided what he (I’m) is doing and or made any announcements about it.

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1. Lennie Grimaldi says:
  
  July 23, 2025 at 4:53 pm
  
  Rob, thank you for the update. My mistake.
  
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John Marshall Lee says:

July 24, 2025 at 11:01 am

Scott Burns and Matt Mc thank you for your service to the Council with not only regular representation of District constituent matters, but informed and questioning financial representation that has limited risks to future taxpayers.
Take a rest for yourself, guys, but remain available to share your informed opinions about what continues operating in the City that holds us back. Peace and health. TIME WILL TELL.

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