Christina Ayala’s the incumbent, Chris Rosario’s endorsed and Dennis Bradley and Teresa Davidson say don’t count us out. Connecticut’s 128th State House seat that covers the East Side and Hollow neighborhoods will have a four-way Democratic primary August 12, according to elections officials.
Rosario, the city’s anti-blight chief, is backed by Mayor Bill Finch’s political operation. Denied the endorsement, Ayala is pressing on for a second two-year term following a series of controversies during her first term including a hit and run, domestic altercations and a state investigation into possible election law violations. She door-knocked the district to petition her way onto the ballot.
Bradley, a city fire commissioner, won a seat on the Democratic Town Committee in March running on the same line as Rosario. His petition signatures were approved Tuesday afternoon shortly before the deadline to qualify for the ballot. He says it’s time for a fresh face unencumbered by city politicians beholden to the establishment. Davidson as well is new to the campaign trail.
So now the August 12 Democratic primary lineup for legislative seats is complete:
124th State House: Board of Education member Andre Baker will challenge party-endorsed Ernie Newton.
128th State House: Christina Ayala, Dennis Bradley and Teresa Davidson against party-endorsed Chris Rosario.
22nd State Senate District: Marilyn Moore will challenge party-endorsed incumbent Anthony Musto.
23rd State Senate District: Scott Hughes will take on party-endorsed incumbent Andres Ayala.
Most worrisome. Strategy please in the 128th, folks. You want Ayala in or out?
As the little boy said when he saw the King at another “demolition ribbon cutting” for a school this time, “but the King has no clothes … isn’t that funny?”
The DTC results this year brought some new folks into the mix and this article attests to more interest in seeking office. Anybody have any stories on how the King attempts to influence those who pursue a candidacy alternative to his viewpoint? Our Bridgeport representation may look different in the next session with the primary and candidacy activity. That’s a healthy sign for the City overall. Position on the Hennessy initiative may be a good indicator of how different things may be for the City in the next session if we have a “Bridgeport delegation” that helps Bridgeport get what it needs to turn things around locally. Support for some candidates mentioned above is coming from all parts of the City as well as from people who have traditionally not written checks or knocked on doors (and who are not seeking a job or to do business with the City). Was this predictable 12 months ago? Time will tell.
Glad I’m not in that district, but the pickings are very slim here, too.
Too many candidates in the mix; hopefully this won’t make it easier for Christina to pull off a victory.
Whether Christina has one opponent or three, it is her race to lose. She knows where her votes are at. Somebody else has to find new voters to top that. The biggest wild card is Queenie.
Oh yeah … Queenie is on the loose. Slick as can be, she has someone else doing her work. And I hope her day will come soon.
*** The more choices, the better! ***