Beyond the usual give and take over issues and bill proposals advanced by lawmakers, the real drama for the new legislative session is how members of the city’s state delegation, all Democrats, position themselves for reelection. State Senator Ed Gomes has not announced if he will seek reelection.
Gomes has represented Connecticut’s 23rd State Senate District since 2005. The district covers about three quarters of Bridgeport plus a piece of Stratford. Several pols tell OIB State Rep. Andres Ayala is telling them he’ll seek Gomes’ seat. Ernie Newton, Gomes’ predecessor, has already announced he wants his old job back. State Rep. Don Clemons is also considering a run. Newton and Clemons both enjoy base support in the East End. Ayala is well known on the East Side. If Gomes doesn’t run look for others to jump in.
Gomes is a warrior, irrespective of some health issues, at age 76. He has qualified for a state pension. He says he’ll make a decision about seeking reelection when he’s good and ready and not based on who may or may not be running against him. Ayala, as the leader of the city’s legislative delegation, has already started the process of trotting out statements about money he’s brought to the city, particularly moolah to invest for redevelopment of East Side projects in which Mayor Bill Finch’s Deputy Chief of Staff Ruben Felipe is shepherding such as a new train station and Steel Point as well as deconstruction of the General Electric plant on Boston Avenue.
State Rep. Jack Hennessy could face a challenge from City Councilwoman Michelle Lyons who’s popular in the North End. That would be some battle. But if Lyons is gonna get in the game she’ll need to make a decision soon, especially if she taps into the state’s public financing system that is a lot of work for first-time candidates. Tracking down hundreds of small donors is labor intensive, but has a nice payoff at the end.
East End City Councilman Andre Baker, who has an independent-minded streak, is also considering a run for Clemons’ State House seat.
Legislators with primaries will probably have some company. Looks like a Democratic primary clash for a retiring Joe Lieberman’s U.S. Senate seat will take place between Congressman Chris Murphy, former Connecticut Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz and State Rep. William Tong. OIB friend Sly Salcedo is also an announced candidate, but can Sly petition his way on the ballot? The other three have money and organizations. Sly has an issue to bring to the table: the country’s war on drugs is a public-relations scam and the money we waste on it can fuel jobs, infrastructure and better schools.
Polling shows Murphy as an early favorite in the race whether a primary or against chief general election Republican opponents Linda McMahon and former Congressman Chris Shays. Party endorsements in May followed by primaries in August.
It’s disheartening to see the potential candidates list for the state senate seat representing the 138th. Same old names and faces, same do-nothing candidates. Clemons has been in office a number of years, as a state representative he has produced nothing up here, in fact I am sure he doesn’t know he represents the 138th. Newton is in the same boat. he brought in things for the lower East Side, nothing here. Ayala shows up for photo sessions but not much else.
While I am at it, having Ruben Felipe in charge of demolition of GE buildings, building a new railroad station and Steal Point is a crock of BS.
Again no matter who wins the election the 138th will get no help with flooding and other issues.
tc, what if Councilman Andre Baker runs for the State House?
I would vote for him in a heartbeat.
I listened to Ernest Newton speak recently about his aspirations to return to his former seat in the State Senate.
According to him it is a ‘done deal.’ “His peeps will rush him back into office.” When asked why his ‘peeps’ want him back he said they appreciate his hard work on their behalf. Curiously, no one mentioned the fact while Mr. Newton was working hard for his peeps, he had his hand in their wallets. The man was investigated, indicted, charged and convicted of corrupt practices and was incarcerated. Forget about the fact he further embarrassed his ‘peeps’ when he convulsed on the senate floor allegedly as a result of too many drugs.
If Mr. Newton is genuine about wanting only the best for his ‘peeps’ and Bridgeport in general, he should move somewhere else. We simply do not need that type of national attention his candidacy will attract.
It’s about getting apizza the pie, Lennie. Why are all these pols so ‘Guidi’–they want more power and elevation of their status. Try a hot air balloon or a pizza oven:
www .ctpost.com/news/article/Ex-CA-mayor-admits-stealing-mixer-to-make-pizza-3155209.php
Speedy, are you saying they want a pizza d’action?
The all want to play in The Big Yeast! Can they raise the Dough?
Lennie, is it true the new 2012 version of MCAT is MCAT 3.21?
www .ctpost.com/news/article/Vavrek-asks-for-3-21-percent-budget-increase-in-3160952.php
Congratulations to Michele Mount!
www .jdsupra.com/post/documentViewer.aspx?fid=9a0f669c-2044-4964-a571-6a6248885404
Lennie, Andre is the only one on the council who is willing to stand up and ask the hard questions. He did that as a member of the B&A in 2010 and don’t you know he was removed from the B&A for the year 2011.
They put Andre on committees that do nothing because they don’t want anyone asking the tough questions. Andre is a good guy.
Andre would make a good candidate. You don’t really hear much about what our reps do on the state level.
Local public library update: Tonight’s Italian language class program at Black Rock Library is full and has a waiting list, if you have not already called to reserve.
Murphy taking on McMahon?
Murphy taking on Shays?
And then there is Susan. She learned some hard lessons … and now she’s a much better candidate all around for this battle.
*** VOTE FOR ? ***