Retired Superior Court Judge Carmen Lopez has decided not to seek the office of mayor after a number of political activists have encouraged her entry into the race.
Mayor Joe Ganim is seeking another four-year term. His chief rival State Senator Marilyn Moore has hosted a number of fundraisers in advance of the first quarter campaign finance report due early April. State Rep. Charlie Stallworth also announced his candidacy to challenge Ganim one week ago.
Lopez, who has brought a number of city issues to light be it parking meters, sewer fee collections and zoning matters, issued this Sunday statement to OIB:
As a lifelong Bridgeport resident, and one who has been active in the political and community life of this City for many years, I have been touched and flattered by the number of people who have urged me to be a candidate for mayor in 2019. Expressions of support and encouragement have come from many segments of our diverse community. All who have approached me share a common belief that this City has unrealized potential, which has been continually thwarted by the specter of corruption which has hung over Bridgeport’s government through many mayoral administrations.
I share these feelings of frustration and desperately desire a path forward for our City of Bridgeport and its people.
Unfortunately, I will be unable to stand for election as a candidate for Mayor, although I did give the idea considerable thought. While,I have never publicly stated any intention to run for political office, I did answer a reporter’s question by saying that I had not ruled out a candidacy. This has evidently produced speculation about a possible political campaign, which I feel bound to address at this time.
It would be unfair of me to remain silent in the face of this speculation and the sincere offers of support by many well-meaning residents of Bridgeport. Therefore, I have chosen to remove my name from consideration, so that others interested in being Mayor will have a fair opportunity to state their cases to the voters and those who have expressed support for me, will feel free to work for another candidate.
None of the announced candidates for Mayor, or the incumbent, have asked for my support and I do not wish to be understood as endorsing any mayoral aspirant.
I will remain active in community affairs, including writing opinion articles when inspired and volunteering to assist those who ask for help or desire legal guidance, on issues affecting this City.
Thank you for all that you do and have done for the citizens of Bridgeport. I would say that your assistance in the matters that you became involved with have done more to help people than any other entity or person in this city. Thank you for your continued vigilance. I wish we had more folks out there like you!
Rich, I agree with you 100%.
A huge loss for Bridgeport, and a win for Mayor Ganim, Mario Testa, and the corrupt Machine.
I would like to echo Rich Augustynowicz comments, Judge Lopez thank you for time, research, your involvement, the respect and dignity that you have given lovingly to Bridgeport. I must say that I’m troubled and bother that none of the announced candidates for Mayor, or the incumbent, have asked for my support and I do not wish to be understood as endorsing any mayoral aspirant.
Thank you,(RET) Judge Carmen Lopez.
I would LOVE to see Carmen Lopez become the chair of a Charter Revision Committee. Maybe,if things go well this November,we can start that process.
Maybe, all candidates for City office in November should be asked what parts of the City Charter need study or possible change and why? Then voters can become more familiar with the rules and expectations guiding City governance and how they interact or fail to with current Ordinances and levels of oversight? Imagine, expecting a candidate for office to have read the Charter and know enough about current matters to see one or more grounds for improvement? Time will tell.
C’MON MAN, the City Council members are NOT familiar with the rules and expectations guiding City governance and what parts of the City Charter need study or possible change and why.
May I quote you this evening when I deliver my regular five minutes of comments at public speaking tonight? I think one or more has criticized me for being too tough on the CC. However, you confirm my thinking about the actual state of affairs. If the CC do know little or nothing, why do folks elect them? If 30% of 70,000 registered (or fewer) actually vote in November, that means fewer registered adults voting than we have public school age youth!!! Where are the adults? Time will tell.
JML, I respect the time, research and your involvement in trying to educate the voters and the City Council but voter apathy unfortunately is the name of the game with voters. As far as council members, newer members want to stay in office because they just got there and older council members who have been there for a while think they know everything so they need your information and they all are scare of their district leader, Mario Testa, Mayor Ganim and Hamilton Burger so they MUST do as they are told or they we will be in a primary.
Ron, I agree with your comments.
As much as I think that Carmen would be an effective mayor, I know that she would accomplish more being active in the community.
Judge Lopez chooses to remain active in the community. This doesn’t necessarily guarantee Little Joe Ganim will be re-elected. Marylin Moore is challenging Little Joe and the Dark Lord of Madison Avenue. It would be in the city’s best interests if Lopez and Moore worked together.
Judge Lopez can spot a phony a mile away!