She sports a doctoral degree in educational leadership, appointment by Governor Ned Lamont as senior advisor for Education and Housing Stability and carries scars from a drunk driver that almost took her life, and now Shantè Hanks considers another challenge, running for mayor of Bridgeport in advance of the 2027 municipal cycle.
For the past 23 years, every Democratic primary election for mayor has been close, save for 2011, and based on all the relevant data, next year may very well be the same.
Joe Ganim has already cemented his mark historically in city politics, returning in dramatic fashion in 2015 after serving more than six years in federal custody. The city that he served from Nov. 1991-April 2003 had changed dramatically upon his remarkable comeback, and then some, defeating incumbent Bill Finch in a tight Democratic primary.
Ganim survived another close primary from then State Senator Marilyn Moore in 2019 and another in 2023 from former ally John Gomes who seems teed up for another run, following that peculiar election cycle that led to political operatives on both sides charged with mountain ranges of election fraud – the key figures in the state crosshairs currently challenging the arrests – and court-ordered redos that extended into 2024.
Ganim has already banked about $100K for reelection on his way to raising whatever he needs to make his case for another four years.
Gomes has largely kept a low profile, appearing here and there, an op-ed piece here and there while working political backing. Look for him to get in the game, barring unforeseen circumstances, by end of the year, the first line of business raising money, a significant strength for him in 2023.
Is there room for someone else to make a splash, perhaps a relative newcomer that galvanizes anti-vote change agents?
Yup. The atmosphere is ripe for it, given dear ol’ MOM – money, organization and message – breeding the way.
Political insiders know Hanks. She’s not completely mysterious, but Hanks must toil in a number of areas to build political prestige, share her story, background and what she will do as chief executive. Most electors vote on the future, not the past. What will you do to make it better?
In 2018, Hanks came razor close to taking out then incumbent State Rep. Charlie Stallworth, now town clerk, in a Democratic primary. Her base sweet spot geographically is the Whiskey Hill area of the city, led by Black-voter rich Wilbur Cross and Hallen School precincts in the 135th political district.
It’s called Whiskey Hill from the Prohibition era when local adequate fluid ounces flowed freely, damn those Washington politicians messing with our good times, most of them immigrants targeted by Treasury agents. Now they’re called ICE agents.
Sound familiar?
It happened then, it’s happening now.
In 2024, Hanks was an early supporter of unknown-to-Bridgeport Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox who won the state senate seat to replace a retiring Marilyn Moore in the city-suburban district.
Hanks also has a compelling story to tell about her Bridgeport roots with a strong background in community organizing. She worked many years at Housatonic Community College where she connected students with community resources. She was also on the Beacon Hall Project Steering Committee that was responsible for securing funding for the college’s Downtown expansion. In 2009, she was appointed to the staff of Democratic Congressman Jim Himes who had defeated Republican incumbent Chris Shays in the 2008 general election. She also served on the Bridgeport Housing Authority.
Hanks has also stared down tragedy as the survivor of a near-fatal car accident caused by a drunken driver that inspired a book Titanium Woman. As the book notes “Shantè went from a lively graduate coed to a comatose patient, lying in a hospital bed where doctors rebuilt her crushed pelvis, broken wrists, ankles and femur with titanium metal.”
Hanks is doing due diligence to figure out a course of action.
Can she raise the money?
Can she frame a strong rationale for running?
Can she build coalitions?
Can she inspire voters who have stayed home, as she noted in an OIB commentary, about pathetic electoral participation?
Let’s see if she gets in. Titanium is mighty strong.
