Tom Gaudett For Judge Of Probate? Some Pols Want Popular CAO To Challenge The Mayor’s Brother

The intriguing world of city politics has been kicked up a few notches.

Could Bridgeport’s Chief Administrative Officer Tom Gaudett, the go-to guy in government to get things done and adviser to Mayor Joe Ganim, challenge his brother Paul Ganim, the city’s judge of probate for more than 25 years, up for reelection in 2026?

A number of political insiders would relish the opportunity, not because of friction with the mayor, but antipathy toward Paul Ganim’s indifference to the body politic, a different political animal than his big brother. In addition, Gaudett is a genial personality who has a way of getting along with almost everyone. He recently graduated from Syracuse University College of Law and if all pans out will have his law license by the end of the year.

Qualification to serve as judge of probate in Connecticut requires residency in the state and membership on the state bar.

Some background: Paul Ganim was roughly the same age as Gaudett’s 33 years in 1998 when he defeated (his brother was mayor) Democratic-endorsed Kevin Boyle, a party-regular favorite, in a grueling primary. (Full disclosure: I worked on Paul’s race and have performed marketing work on his behalf.)

As mayor, Joe Ganim really didn’t want to weigh in on his brother’s run because of concern for splitting up the party over someone such as Boyle who had paid his dues. Paul Ganim was a newbie by comparison.

An ambitious Paul wasn’t going away easily. Judge of probate is a cushy job, four-year term, six-figure salary, tasty state benefits, handling estates, wills, trusts, conservatorships, adoptions. And, you can still practice law, albeit, according to the rules:

All courts are required to be open 40 hours per week. While judges are not prohibited from outside employment, candidates should plan to commit the majority of the workweek to court duties.

Bottom line: it’s a awesome gig.

Joe Ganim, in 1998, was largely ignoring his younger brother’s entreaties for help. In 1998, Joe Ganim’s mightiest political priority was shepherding a charter revision question, asking voters to approve a four-year term for mayor. (It passed.)

One day, at Joe Ganim campaign headquarters, a bumper sticker arrived: “Loyalty Not Royalty.”

A jab at Joe for sure. To Joe’s way of thinking, Boyle was loyal and another Ganim elected was royalty. Joe was like, “Okay now I have to weigh in.”

We all assumed it came from the Boyle camp, but later, opportunistic Paul Ganim took credit for planting the short message on a wide piece of paper to entice his brother. Paul knew he was dead without his popular brother’s help.

It was an unorthodox political battle. The brother of a popular mayor against key political cogs who believed it was Boyle’s time. To his credit, Paul Ganim worked his cheeks off.

Long story short, Paul Ganim won the 1998 primary by a hair and he’s been judge of probate since.

But not without breaking a few family bones along the way. The thing about the Ganims, all the brothers are lawyers competing for a slice of the personal injury pie. About 15 years ago the Bridgeport family-run law practice split up over revenue sharing. It was every brother for himself. Once under the same roof, they were now legal competitors.

Paul Ganim is a successful lawyer who has built his own brand, but he can be like a kid with matches and gasoline. A few years ago Paul Ganim took out a big-ass billboard, promoting his brand: “the real Ganim.”

Didn’t sit well with family members, including papa George, the patriarch of the family. It came across as a family swipe.

A year or so ago, Paul Ganim, according to City Hall insiders, inquired about free concert tickets to the suite at the city-owned amphitheater. After he was told by the mayor’s office his request could not be accommodated he fired off an and angry letter and FOI request seeking all those who received access to the city box.

Then, Paul Ganim went on vacation and decided to park his car sideways in the city garage connected to the Morton Government Center that houses the probate court, taking up two spots. Parking in the garage is reserved for professional business only, not personal time. He was notified by the mayor’s office to remove his car, otherwise it would be towed. He fired off another letter framing his importance, and the affrontery, etc.

Paul Ganim loves the VIP treatment: free concert tickets, Yankee tickets, ski lift tickets.

And that’s how Paul Ganim is viewed in city politics. Leverage what you can, irrespective of the fact he’s built a successful practice, owns beach front investments, luxury cars, million dollar home in Black Rock and a judgeship to shine his shield. He’s built his own success.

For the past 20 years he has simply placed his name on the ballot and wins, little opposition.

So, will young Gaudett challenge Paul Ganim, now in his early 60s? Gaudett  enjoys strong standing with party regulars for sure, the worker bees largely anathema to Paul Ganim. He now has about 10 years service as a loyal soldier to Joe Ganim. He’s the second most powerful person in government after the mayor. With a law degree, his pedigree will be enhanced so his days in municipal government are now at the short end, not the longer end.

Politics is all about timing and opportunity. These things don’t come along often, just like Paul Ganim recognized an opportunity, took it and prevailed.

If Gaudett runs, what will Joe Ganim do?

He’ll stay out of it. His younger brother has done just fine and no one has to rescue him this time.

Plus, Joe is eyeing reelection in 2027. He’s not gonna waste political cred on younger brother one year out.

If Gaudett gets in Paul Ganim will not go away quietly. He’ll defend his turf.

Next year is a state cycle with party conventions taking place in May and primaries in August.  The endorsing body for probate judge is the 90-member Democratic Town Committee.
Challengers to the endorsed candidate can petition onto the ballot.

Stay tuned.