67,689 Registered Voters–How Many Will Show Up?

Mayor Bill Finch is poised on Tuesday to make Bridgeport history, albeit recent history, as the first to win consecutive four-year terms for mayor. In 1998 voters approved a charter referendum four-year term for mayor, city clerk and town clerk. Joe Ganim, the first to win a four-year term for mayor in 1999, was forced from office following his conviction on corruption charges in 2003. John Fabrizi, the City Council president who filled out Ganim’s term, won his own four-year term in 2003 defeating Rick Torres, Finch’s GOP opponent on Tuesday. Fabs did not seek another term following his own personal issues in 2007 when Democratic Party leaders recruited Finch to run. Finch squeezed by Chris Caruso in a primary and then won the general election handily.

Democratic Registrar of Voters Santa Ayala reports the following registration: Democrats 43,342, Republicans 4520, Unaffiliated 19,666, another 161 registered with minority parties. How many of the 67,689 electors will vote? If the trend of pathetic election turnouts continues the city could experience the lowest voter performance for a mayoral election in history. This bodes well for Finch and his seasoned operatives who know how to turn out the base party vote that enjoys a nearly 10 to 1 registration advantage over the GOP.

Torres announced the other day he has strategically waged an ambush campaign that kicked up visibility in the final days following a low-profile race. A challenger must make the case for firing the incumbent. That message must include why you’re better, something nearly impossible to accomplish without money. You build yourself up, establish the contrast and close the deal by hammering home why change is better. Finch challengers Torres and petitioning candidate Jeff Kohut haven’t had the firepower to make that happen. Relying on the nearly 4000 primary votes Mary-Jane Foster received as part of the base opposition support is misplaced logic. Yes, those vitriolically opposed to Finch will vote for Torres or Kohut, but the majority will choose independently of the primary based on how the candidates reach out to them. For those Democrats the clock resets. They will respond to what the candidates are communicating. Some will vote Finch because they are Dems. And some may just not vote.

The city has 20,000 voters independent of major parties. In the old days, when turnouts were much higher, they were the ones to identify, pick off to go along with like-minded major party voters. What message has Torres and Kohut mastered that will move those voters? Jobs is the biggest issue in the city. But even if opponents have a mighty jobs message it doesn’t mean squat if the electorate isn’t hearing it. Meanwhile, Finch reminds them, as the incumbent, he has stabilized taxes, cut spending, led an effort to reform the school system. In addition crime does not appear to be a major issue in this cycle. Finch has all the money he needs to make his case for a new four-year contract. His campaign operatives aren’t interested in a high-profile general election. They have the luxury to set the agenda, move along at their own pace, communicate directly with their lock votes and pull them out.

Although Finch had many advantages in the primary, opponent Mary-Jane Foster put up a strong enough fight that required Finch operatives to take her on directly, including a mighty absentee ballot operation. The general election is a different animal. The idea is to win, not be high profile for the sake of things.

Interestingly, assuming a Finch win and he completes his term, he will become the fourth-longest-serving mayor in city history tied with Sam Tedesco 1957-65, behind Clifford Wilson, 1911-21, Joe Ganim 1991-April 2003 and the legendary Socialist Mayor Jasper McLevy 1933-57.

In the 1980s, the city’s mayoral election turnout regularly eclipsed 50 percent including a whopping 70 percent in 1983. Even in the Joe Ganim years when he was running up large reelection victories the turnout was close to 40 percent. In recent years, as Republican registration dwindled and a lethargic electorate stayed home turnout hit free-fall. The 2007 general election turnout was 23 percent. Will it hit 20 percent on Tuesday?

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66 comments

  1. First off, that 67,000+ registered voter number is a stinker. Let’s face it, the Democrats would register sedimentary rocks if they could get away with it. Some of those enrollments are liable to be that old.

    For arguments sake, let’s knock down the real number of registered voters to a nice, round 50,000 to tidy things up. That’s low but what the heck.

    Let’s say a third of that number will vote. That’s about 16,600. That’s probably low, but what the heck.

    Calling the numbers who vote by percentage is bogus. The total enrollment number maintained is a fantasy because the list is not administered regularly. Using percentages makes it looks like voters don’t care. Oh, wait …

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    1. JC,
      What is this mumbo jumbo, hocus pocus?
      First of all, a machine does not want inflated voting lists. They want a lean, mean voting machine. The more the harrier.
      Secondly, the voting rolls swelled with Dems when Obama ran. They may not be voting on Tuesday but they are more alive than the Republican Party in this city.
      That being said, there will be a remarkably low turnout in numbers, percents and any other metric you would like to use. 12,500 tops.

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    2. Okay, I’ll bite. In 1983, more than 40,000 voted. About 40,000 voted in 1985. Fast forward to the 1990s, the average raw numbers for a mayoral general election was near 20,000. Fast forward to 2007 it was about 13,000. I dare say 13,000 will not vote on Tuesday.

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  2. Jim Callahan, You are so right on that.

    Lennie, do you have the 2003 results from Black Rock, did Torres win there? I have made up my mind on who I will vote for and come Tuesday my vote will go for Bill Finch at Black Rock School. Like many MJF supporters I know I will vote for Bill Finch just like Steven Auerbach and plenty other Foster supporters. My vote against Finch in the primary was not because I hate him but because I truly felt Foster was a better candidate. Bill Finch has my vote and nobody can take it away so you can start your yappin’ from now. Bill Finch has my vote at Black Rock school Tuesday.

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    1. Good thinking young man, at least you aren’t wasting your vote on a candidate who has no qualifications or experience to be mayor. You must realize by now this blog is polluted by haters, they’d find something to criticize if the Pope were running for mayor.

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      1. Godiva,
        You raise an interesting thought, although I am not sure you intended to do so, regarding Pope Benedict, or any recent Pope for that matter.
        Hatred in my opinion is not involved as you suggest, although people tend to project emotions or scenarios with which they are familiar, so I make allowance for your statement.

        You see, I find the Pope and his leadership team here in the US similar in many ways to Bill Finch and his team.
        * Genuine dialogue and discussion, especially about anything that might potentially seem opposite to the incumbent, is not routinely available.
        * Financial reporting is limited, even more so in the Church than in Bridgeport and readers of OIB know I am far from satisfied with what passes for financial accountability on a comprehensive basis here in Bridgeport. Without information, accurate and timely, even the Council, much less a private citizen is handicapped and confused about what is truly happening. The risk of decline and chaos rises.
        * Playing politics and being a Yes-Man seem to be necessary requirements for advancement beyond entry level in both Church and Bridgeport. Having independent thoughts are likely to earn you a lonely post with no support (or a date with human resources personnel where you need to bring an attorney).
        * And are all the people genuinely considered? Those who are productive, contributing and still in the system? At times, like the sexual abuse scandal that had more to do with management failure to deal with predation with consequences rather than protecting criminal adults, it seems the mission of both institutions has been way off key. And trust from the weak or marginalized is even more subject to suspicion when authority has been abused. But reformation is difficult and admits of sharing power and that often proves more difficult. Time will tell.

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        1. BEACON2, Over the years I have read your opinions in the CT Post regarding the Catholic Church, I have also read your postings on the blog on the church and the City of Bridgeport. My conclusion is you are one angry man. I have never read anything written by you positive about the church or the city. My concern here is, all that anger inside you is going to cause you to have a stroke. May I suggest, in order for you to avoid this possible stroke the next time you put pen to paper try to write something positive, something to make you feel good about life. The Catholic Church does many good things and there are many positive things happening in Bridgeport. So, as hard as it might be for you to write something positive, it will be good for your health. Time will tell.

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          1. bporteye,
            If your concern is genuine, thank you, but it is unnecessary. First, I would ask you to show me the anger. Reasoned criticism is not by itself “angry.” Of course if you are a person in the pew (as I still am) uncritically accepting everything you hear from on high, or perhaps have a paid position with the City then you may address all criticism as “angry” … but if you have been reading me for years about Roman Catholic Church handling of sexual abuse predators for decades or local municipal governance, you would understand that I try to champion institutional “open, accountable and transparent” behavior. Have you seen that phrase in my writing? It is a Holy Grail for me. Something with a higher standard than I observe currently from institutional Roman Catholic Church or Bridgeport’s municipal structure.

            I would say I am certainly disappointed by the institutional state of each body mentioned above. How about you? How many good works does it take in your estimation to make up for a pedophile or ephebophile clergyman who is protected by a bishop and transferred to prey on more young people? Scandal is the bishop’s enemy it seems more than the crime by the adult under his command who has betrayed his Christian journey.

            Again with Bridgeport, there are things happening in Bridgeport I enjoy and in which I participate as a volunteer, board member, lifetime learner, friend and more. I find many positive things, but many of them are purchased with “other people’s money” without the open, accountable and transparent marks I think are important today. When people do not get true, timely and accurate information, they can be forgiven if they tune out. My choice is to pursue what seems to be happening and confront the offense to the common good. If there is good leadership, they tend to hear my questions, engage in some discussion or dialogue that continues even if we do not share the exact same viewpoint. If leadership is less secure or conflicted, it attempts to ignore comments like those I make, or to demonize, or even, as you have, try to worry about me for my own good.

            So I ask you, can you answer the questions I asked at the City Council meeting last night? They were rational, fact based, and unemotional. If you can, put your answer out for all to read. I do not remember you ever responding to any of my question-filled posts, did you? So if you are such a positive, healthy and knowledgeable individual, why are you not able to offer reasonable answers to the many questions I ask? And ask again? And ask anew? Are you not a lifetime learner and/or lifetime teacher to others in this community? (And I assure you, my blood pressure is within limits as I write to you this morning.)

            Perhaps the ‘stroke of a pen’ or keystroke on the keyboard is what allows the “call” to write about “the common good” to become a route to health for me? It doesn’t sit within me and seethe or defeat me emotionally as it does some I observe. I am a hopeful person and believe my increased lifetime learning, my pursuit of open, accountable and transparent (OATs) public behavior, and my nutrition, exercise and health regimen as well as my long-term spiritual practices will keep me centered and healthy, therefore able to be a healer in a world of broken institutions.

            If your concern is genuine, help all of us in gaining real answers to the questions about institutions that have stopped asking questions of themselves and also ignore fundamental rules and regulations of their structures. Yes, time will tell.

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  3. If 20% of even 70,000 voters turns out, maybe 14,000 people, then don’t be surprised to see the results between a 5% margin of victory, with Torres having a good chance to win.

    If Mary-Jane voters split between Torres, Finch and Kohut and if other Dems remember Torres supported them in the primary of the last election and support him this time, you are looking at a closer contest than you may think. Add to this Finch’s people think they have it locked up so they have not campaigned, maybe their people will follow their lead and just figure it’s over …

    Don’t forget, Torres came up with 41% of the vote in his last attempt. The Dems weren’t as fractured as they are now, after Mary-Jane and Caruso got to them … Add Kohut’s draw off and we have a race, with the low turnout favoring Torres rather than Finch.

    One more thing. There is an effort to minimize the vote purchasing in the poorer neighborhoods, and for those people, they may be surprised to find it is the Republican candidate who’s ‘got their back.’

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  4. I wouldn’t vote for the Pope. The last Pope I would have. Nice Polish guy about to become a saint no less. I do not believe this blog is polluted by haters. I just think those opposed to Mayor Finch have been more vocal. I know there are many who just read the blogs and enjoy the sarcasm but just observe. To think any of the candidates have Foster’s votes is just plain ridiculous. When you support a candidate and give it your all you hope for the best. When the candidate loses and opts to leave the ballgame before the final inning you are left wondering now , who is the best candidate. It isn’t rocket science. It is Bill Finch. I know the reasons why people dislike him and I know the reasons I will be supporting him. They far outweigh those other reasons. Yes he does deserve a second term. Yes he will win and yes on Wednesday we will find something else to talk about over the next 12 years–lolololol. This really could have been a fascinating election with the possibility of the second woman to lead the largest city in the State of Connecticut. With a historic write-in vote. This happened for a reason and her advisers decided it would not have been a good move. By divine design Bill Finch does deserve a second term and for all of you who are hoping for his failure, well how could you really care for the future of this city? We are a team. Republicans and Unaffiliates together. Finch must succeed. We must support him and hope for the best. Until he gives good reason to think otherwise. He deserves the support from the entire city. No matter who you are voting for. I should choose a candidate I do not believe can bring Bridgeport to a higher level to prove what? That it wasn’t a mandate? If Tuesday is not a mandate I will be shocked. I imagine the turnout will be very low and still one last time I will wonder if Mary-Jane Foster continued the fight, how many Republicans and Unaffiliates as well as Democrats would have put her over the edge? That we will never know. There are no mistakes in this world. It was meant to be the way it is. Surprise–It’s Bridgeport!!! Vote On Tuesday!

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      1. In the design of your understanding this may be true. My design includes a hope for a better government. What do they say? The Devil’s greatest achievement is in convincing people he does not exist? You have put across a great campaign for a job, though, because by my perusal of this blog over the months, it appears that was your agenda all along. I hope we never meet because you sicken me.

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        1. And you are a pathetic individual who wouldn’t give your real name–let’s have it. Let’s meet and you tell me about my 40 years of positive writing about the city of Bridgeport and my personal agenda. Seems your cheese is rotten and stinks and so easy to criticize behind an alias. Everyone in this city knows where I stand at all times and I am not in ANYONE’S POCKET\. SO IF YOU CARE TO IDENTIFY YOUR PATHETIC SELF, PLEASE EMAIL ME AT sauer82855@aol.com. I CANNOT BE ANY MORE TRANSPARENT THAN THAT.

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          1. Woohoo!!! You are right of course, I am a pathetic individual who hides behind an alias. And you were the highlight of my evening! Of course you will never meet me. That’s what handles are for. This is a blog after all, and I have nothing to prove by divulging my name, I am fine with me just the way I am. And you, you are my new hero. Happy voting.

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    1. Hey Steve, you want to vote for Finch, that’s fine, but don’t make it sound like he is the second coming. Don’t forget the reasons you busted your tail in an effort to get MJF elected.
      Here are a few things that Finch has done:
      1. Did not pay the $600 tax rebate he promised.
      2. Produced 3 budgets that definitely werenbot balanced as he forgot to make $60+ million in pension payouts.
      3. Blackmailed the unions into givebacks all the while continuing to hire political cronies.
      4. Left 87+ commission slots unfilled.
      5. The city is dirtier than ever.
      The list goes on and on.

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      1. You forgot about all the Massage Parlors no one cares about, they want a billboard removed because it says “Got Drunk” because kids walk by on their way to school but they also walk by 2-3 houses of prostitution on their way home … It’s time to clean house in Bridgeport, long overdue.

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  5. Jim Callahan will be in town on Tuesday to do some investigative reporting on where are the missing 55,000 registered voters who don’t show up to vote.
    Abducted by aliens?
    Placed on the Port Jefferson Ferry courtesy of Lydia Martinez?
    Currently in the federal witness protection program?

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  6. I hope everybody who voted for MJF in the primary will show up at the polls and NOT vote for Finch.

    There are too many Ping Pong politicians out there like Joel, Auerbach and donj. Silly people, really, with aspirations Finch will provide them with security. Joel wants to keep his job. Auerbach obviously wants a job and donj–well, who knows what donj wants.

    The last thing we want is for Finch to soar back into office by mandate. I urge all of you who thought and think MJF would have turned things around to go to the polls and write in ANYONE BUT FINCH.

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    1. LOLOLOLOLOLOL WOW YOU ARE AN ASS. I WASN’T EXPECTING A JOB FROM FOSTER AND I WOULDN’T EXPECT ONE FROM FINCH. I WILL BE OUTSIDE THE POLLS FOR MICHELLE LYONS AND AMYMARIE PANICCIA AT WINTHROP SCHOOL AND OH YES, DENNIS SCINTO AND GO FIGURE FINCH IS ALSO ON THAT LINE. IF I AM VOTING FOR HIM YOU SHOULD ASSUME EVERYONE I KNOW WILL BE ALSO. YOU DO NOT LIKE MY VOTE? TOUGH I AM NOT A POLITICIAN BY THE WAY ALTHOUGH THE NEXT TIME I THINK ABOUT WORKING MY ASS OFF ON A CAMPAIGN IT MOST LIKELY WILL BE MINE! LOLOL BE WELL ALL. YOU DO MAKE ME SICK. IT IS SAD ACTUALLY, WITH ONE DAY LEFT YOU ALL WILL BE RESIGNED TO 12 YEARS OF MISERY ‘CAUSE YOU ALL HAD A PERSONAL PROBLEM WITH FINCH. MINE WAS SIMPLE AND NOT POLITICAL. I NEVER SIGNED ON TO THE BELIEF OF THE BILLBOARD OF ANYONE BUT FINCH. FURTHERMORE, I CANNOT EVEN IMAGINE HOW HURTFUL AN ANONYMOUS BILLBOARD LIKE THAT IS. BUT MY CANDIDATE THIS TIME LOST AND I ACCEPT THAT AND KNOW I DID EVERYTHING I COULD. I WAS NOT ONE OF THE PEOPLE GETTING PAID TO WORK HER CAMPAIGN AND I HAVE NEVER ASKED FOR ANYTHING FROM ANY INDIVIDUAL FROM THAT CAMPAIGN AND HER, NEVER BEEN CRITICAL OF THE MANY PROBLEMS SURROUNDING THAT CAMPAIGN. NOW WE VOTE ON TUESDAY. I AM VOTING FOR FINCH AND I AM NOT SORRY WITH MY CHOICE. I TAKE MY VOTE SERIOUSLY. EVERYONE STAY HOME AND BE MISERABLE. I AM HOPEFUL FOR BRIDGEPORT’S FUTURE AND IF I AM DISAPPOINTED I WILL SAY WHAT I NEED TO BUT I WILL NOT WAIT AND HOPE FOR FAILURE. TORRES AND KOHUT MAY BE NICE GUYS BUT THERE IS NOTHING THEY HAD TO SAY THAT WOULD MAKE ME VOTE FOR THEM. ANYONE OUT THERE WHO THINKS THERE IS SOMETHING PROFOUND THEY HAD TO SAY, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. AGAIN ONE LAST THING. YAHOOY, I AM NOT A POLITICIAN. I AM A VOTER AND I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT THE CITY OF BRIDGEPORT. I PATRONIZE MOST NEW BUSINESS DOWNTOWN REGULARLY, AND I AM EDUCATED AND CULTURED AND I LOVE BRIDGEPORT. YOU GET OVER IT. IF YOU CANNOT FIND ANYTHING POSITIVE OR OPTIMISTIC TO SAY ABOUT THE CITY YOU MAY WANT TO PACK YOUR BAGS AND MOVE; IT’S GOING TO BE AN AWFUL LONG 12 MISERABLE YEARS FOR YOU. I ON THE OTHER HAND REMAIN ETERNALLY OPTIMISTIC. MAYBE YOU, GOVERNMENT CHEESE AND MYSELF NEED TO GO TO TWO BOOTS AND HAVE A BEER AND DISCUSS HOW WE CAN BE PART OF THE SOLUTION INSTEAD OF THE PROBLEM WITH THIS CITY. OH BTW. IN MY ALL TOO BRIEF STINT WITH THE CITY UNDER MAYOR MORAN, OTHER THAN WORKING 24/7 FOR THIS CITY I LEARNED ONE VERY IMPORTANT THING THAT HOLDS TRUE RIGHT NOW. “YOU CAN NEVER PLEASE ALL OF THE PEOPLE ALL OF THE TIME,” SORRY YOU ARE DISAPPOINTED WITH MY DECISION TO VOTE FOR FINCH. I CAN ASSURE YOU IT WASN’T A PAINFUL DECISION. IT WAS PAINFUL AND WILL BE PAINFUL WONDERING WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED WITH THE WRITE-IN CAMPAIGN. BUT I WILL NOT WORRY. THAT IS SOMEONE ELSE’S FATE.
      WHEN THE DECISION WAS MADE NOT TO MOVE FORWARD I MADE OTHER CHOICES. YAHOOY, GOVERNMENT STINKY CHEESE, LIFE IS A SERIES OF CHOICES. YOU MAY ATTACK ME WHEN FINCH GIVES ME A JOB. UNTIL THEN, RESPECT MY DECISION AND BE HAPPY THAT UNLIKE THE OTHER SORRY SAD ASSES IN THIS CITY, I WILL BE VOTING TOMORROW AT APPROXIMATELY 11 PM AT WINTHROP SCHOOL.

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  7. *** Due to lack of interest by the registered “ZOMBIE” voters, the turnout will be low! In other words, it’s a “done deal” so let’s try & think positively and prepare for the upcoming holidays in which many of our men & women in uniform will be coming home! *** HERE WE GO! ***

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  8. Those who live in the 131st should vote for John Iannuzzi for City Council. I met and talked with him and just received his flyer. He owns his home in the South End, is focused on all of the right issues, and is a breath of fresh air. I am going to vote for John.

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  9. I too will vote for John Iannuzzi in the 131st for City Council. I have not met him but I did get his flyer in the mail last week. John Iannuzzi asked for my vote and the other candidates did not ask me.

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  10. I see the time has come for this college of malevolent bibble-babblers to, election-wise, give testimony to their assertions, prognosticate prognostication, bullshit the bullshitters and otherwise make their best guesses.

    I stand forthwith ready to wager a stamped token with a tarragona patina that was officially issued by the government of the United States of America and bears the visage of the first president elected from the Republican Party–in other words, I bet a penny that:
    Finch: 10,000
    Torres: 5,000
    Kohut: 1,000.

    The Finch number feels high only because the guys working a vote pull will probably knock off early if they are working at all. The Torres number feels low but Republicans have done so terribly lately. Kohut’s number may be low, but the third-party vote is tough to call. Another factor hurting turnout for the mayor is the apparent absence of St. Lydia of the Pequonnock Fields succoring the sick and senile.

    I think Lennie’s number is too low, but he has been right all year on raw numbers and mine have been high.

    Oh well, this way to the egress …

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  11. So Finch sends out his Public Works boys to remove “all” signs on public property in Bridgeport. These are signs out front of people’s houses! The strip of grass between the sidewalk and street is public, I get it. But this is a little silly, no? I think Flinch, I mean Finch, is a bit scared.

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    1. Especially with the Mayor pulling up all campaign signs. Pretty dirty if you ask me. If they don’t know there’s a chance to vote, works out for the filth in city hall.

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  12. It is crazy how del Paine predicts 11,700 people might vote and he may be well correct on this. 9,200 Democrats voted in the primary but only 11,700 votes in general. All I can do is smh but this can be true true.

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  13. My only prediction is Bill Finch will get more votes than he did in 2007. I think Bill gets over 10,000 votes tomorrow and Torres will not go over 5,000. I do predict though Rick will do something Republicans have not done in 5 years in this city and that is get over 20% of the vote. That being said turnout will go over 20%, 23-25% of voters turning out.

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  14. Okay, so 40,000 eligible voters do not vote and you say we also have a budget deficit? Let’s tax those who do not vote with a $75 fine by creating a mandatory voting law. That generates $3 million. Some other places in the world have mandatory voting.

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  15. Steven Auerbach,
    Well said at the 6:25 pm post. I myself was not on the anybody but Finch thing. I voted for Foster because she was a great candidate and I liked her ideas. I will be voting for Bill Finch tomorrow at Black Rock School and I can give two damns of whom does not not like how I vote. Bill Finch has my vote.

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    1. donj–Good for you! Ideally, when there is a primary, the winner takes all. People put aside their differences and support the candidate the voters of the city chose. True Democrats would align themselves behind the winner instead of dreaming up a coup as to how they can get behind another party’s candidate and nudge him to the finish line. It’s not happening, there’s no way Torres or Kohut can come close to defeating Finch. I predict Torres can’t garner more than 20% of the vote and Kohut–well, I truly doubt he’ll even make a dent.

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  16. For what it’s worth, I pretty much agree with Callahan’s numbers and Finch wins easily. However, Torres will probably win in Black Rock and perhaps win big. This could offset Finch’s advantage at Longfellow. Consequently, we may wind up with one or two GOP council members in the 130th.

    Slater and Weldon have been working very hard and with the help of Torres’ coattails one or both might squeak in. Sue and Marty better make sure they get their people out or they could be in trouble.

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    1. Don’t forget, Jim Fox is running in Black Rock. He is by far a more qualified candidate than all of the others combined together. Our future in B.R. depends on change. He would actually read the council legislation instead of just rubber stamping the Bill/Mario dictates. We must disband this cult.

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      1. True that everyone vote for antisemitism! Just saw jimbo working the vote, I thought about him, and fluck, and cupcake, and I figured I couldn’t fit all his aliases on the ballot, so his hatred of Jews cost him a vote.

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  17. JfBR,
    I cannot see Torres getting 5,000 votes unless turnout nears almost 30%. You think Torres will win Black Rock and win big there. Hmmm I’ve been wondering if Torres would win his home neighborhood. We shall see it would be a mandate if Finch won Black Rock. Black Rock seems to be a battleground. Anyhow I will be voting for Bill Finch at Black Rock school. Keep us updated, JfBR.

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  18. PF supervisor DePrimo ordered all Torres signs be taken down in Black Rock even on private property. No hope for Bridgeport with people like this running the show.

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  19. That is not really true, Godiva. The voters did not choose Finch. Only the Democrat voters did. And, not all the Democrat voters chose him, just most of them did. True Americans should choose the best candidate not the best one their party could muster. One of brainwashed Bridgeport’s biggest problems is the party could put up a felon, a coker or a block of wood and the sheep would vote for it. If we really want change, tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life.

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    1. BOE SPY–please go back and re-read my comment. I clearly stated “primary” and “Democrat.” The Democrats decided the best Democratic candidate and tomorrow the rest of the voters will do likewise. Finch is neither a felon, a coker nor a block of wood, he’s a decent man in spite of what labels some people attempt to pin on him. Tomorrow will bring him back to the office he rightfully deserves for four more years.

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  20. All said, I personally wish everyone well. Two quick things:

    How can anyone think Torres can get less than 20% of the vote when he got over 40% against John Fabrizi? Also, how can anyone believe it is okay to send out city employees to tamper with the election? Even with the argument that signs were on public property, the higher point is this act was one meant to suppress the opposition.

    I don’t know what happened, but it was clear Finch’s people were sleeping on visibility, so they didn’t like Torres being so very visible. If it is possible to try to muster up a simply neutral comment it would be it is really unhealthy for a free people to have voter suppression efforts carried out by paid employees of the city in question.

    Most of the good homeowners on this forum pay taxes that could bankrupt any household and yet some will carry their water-burden until being forced out of town by impossible costs. It seems Finch thinks 3-4000 dollars a month taxes in Black-Rock is not even on the radar for discussion. The tax appeal process mostly fell on deaf ears.

    Okay, I guess politics is not meant to be without aggravation, so I sign off with a simple best wishes to anyone of any stripe who reads these words … May your selves and families be safe, healthy, prosperous, and true to your best compass in these times.

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  21. Pathetic. Breezed in and out at 7am in less than 5 minutes from car back to car. I predict this will be a record-breaking election setting new records for lowest votes cast. I wrote in Anyone But Finch.

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  22. Just got my vote on. Same Cast of Characters at Central for Finch, McCarthy etc. Torres’ peeps were there too, very fast 5 minutes, really. I did not write in anyone but Finch, I picked a candidate and voted. It was not Finch. Have a great day all!

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  23. STEVEN AUERBACH
    You are confused. You are transparent. You are a cliche. Quite typical of those people who have contributed to the demise of this once great city by adhering to a political machine that uses people like you to advance their own selfish agendas.

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  24. “YOU MAY ATTACK ME WHEN FINCH GIVES ME A JOB. UNTIL THEN, RESPECT MY DECISION AND BE HAPPY THAT UNLIKE THE OTHER SORRY SAD ASSES IN THIS CITY, I WILL BE VOTING TOMORROW AT APPROXIMATELY 11 PM AT WINTHROP SCHOOL.”

    What more can I say. A lot of people “VOTE” for calamarians before the polls open and after the polls are closed. At least Auerbach admits he’ll be casting his vote at 11pm.

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  25. lolololol you really are an ass. I have not had a conversation with the Mayor since I explained why I was supporting Foster. I have never had a conversation with Foster regarding a job with her. My point was, is you are insinuating I have had a conversation with anyone regarding a position. You are a joke and truly a personal affront to me. Why it bothers you so that I do not loathe the Mayor is beyond me. Blame yourself. I put my time in and am moving forward. As soon as Cablevision leaves my home I am heading to Winthrop school to cast my vote and work the polls for a few hours. yahooy–to be honest–you owe me an apology for your unnecessary insults based on my political beliefs. If I had suggested we go for a beer at Testo’s, then you could attack. I’ll go there when they have twin lobster specials. Otherwise it’s Vazzy’s or Huntington Inn. Lolololololol Good luck yahooy and please do not be so disgusted with my choice. In the end, it all works out.

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    1. In case you haven’t noticed, NOTHING has ‘worked out’ in this city for the past 40 years. All you are doing with your PING PONG politics is perpetuating every single thing that is wrong. Yes, your choice disgusts me.

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  26. I hope you realize at the end of Finch’s next four years, the city will be worse off than it is today. The spiraling decline is attributable to the people you now support. I will find that attitude of you and others like you extremely difficult to ‘get over.’

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