Union Support Boosts Ganim, Moore For Mayoral Primary

Four years ago incumbent Mayor Bill Finch was backed by a majority of union leadership in his primary battle against insurgent Joe Ganim who leveraged the rank and file of the Police Union for campaign contributions and boots on the streets as his key union backing.

So far the Police Union is taking a pass on endorsing Ganim or State Senator Marilyn Moore for the September 10 Democratic primary. Shortly after Ganim returned to the mayoralty he delivered on a promise to the union removing Police Chief Joe Gaudett who segued into another city role to fill out his contract.

Contract negotiations between Ganim and the union cooled relations.

Four years ago Ganim had little business community support that pumped its money into Finch’s reelection treasury.

This time around Ganim enjoys most of the labor and business support.

Moore is not without union support. She is backed by the Service Employees International Union, the United Auto Workers, the Connecticut State Employees Union, Connecticut Education Association and Carpenter’s Local 326. The Connecticut Working Families Party has also taken on a key outreach role in Moore’s campaign to identify voters and pull them out primary day.

Union leadership is one thing, it’s another to maximize the campaign work of its members, something Moore’s camp blended to secure thousands of petition signatures to qualify for the primary ballot.

In her early professional career, Moore was a member of the Carpenters Union.

“As a proud union member for 20 years with multiple unions and advocate for organized labor and workers rights, I’m honored to be endorsed by several of the largest labor unions in Connecticut,” says Moore.

This week Ganim trotted out endorsements from both the business community and unions including the Fairfield County Building And Construction Trades Council that represents a coalition from organized labor:

The Asbestos Workers Local 33; Bricklayers Local 1 CT; Eastern Millwright Regional; IBEW Local 3 and 488; Iron Workers Local 424; IUPAT DC 11, Painter/Drywall Finishers/Glaziers; Laborers Local 146 and 665; Northeast District Council of Plasterers and Cement Masons; Operating Engineers Local 478; Operative Plasterers & Cement Masons LU 262; Plasterers & Cement Masons Local 40; Plumbers Local 777; Roofers, Waterproofers Local 12; Sheetmetal Workers Local 38; Sprinkler Fitters Local Union 669 and the Teamsters Local 191.

“The Fairfield County Building Trades support Mayor Ganim because of his commitment to working people and to job growth,” said Pete Carroll, president of the organization. “We are happy to endorse Mayor Ganim as the best person to keep the City of Bridgeport on track for a prosperous future.”

Ganim also announced support for his re-election from Bridgeport area business community leaders and owners of city property.
— Paul Antinozzi (Antinozzi Associates Architecture & Interiors)
— Robert Berchem (Berchem Moses PC)
— Sean Carroll (Merit Insurance)
— Steve Fiore (Orthopaedic Specialty Group)
— Gary Flocco (Corvus Capital Partners)
— Sam Gault (Gault Energy)
— Brandon Hall (Forstone Capital, LLC)
— Terry O’Connor (Community Leader)
— Alan Phillips (SportsCenter of Connecticut)
— Howard Saffan (Harbor Yard Amphitheater LLC)
— Chris Trefz (Trefz Corporations)
— Brett Wilderman (Forstone Capital, LLC)

Saffan, in partnership with the city, is transforming the former Ballpark at Harbor Yard into a warm-weather concert amphitheater scheduled to open in 2020.

“As active participants in the Bridgeport business community, we look forward to working with Mayor Ganim and his administration as Bridgeport continues to move forward, expands its affordable housing stock, and provides new and exciting commercial and entertainment options,” said Saffan in a statement issued by the campaign. “Bridgeport has emerged as a city whose day has come, a city for whom continued and experienced leadership is key. Mayor Joe Ganim has that experience and certainly provides that necessary leadership.”