The Potential Conga Line For Mayor

Following last Tuesday’s drubbing of Democratic Party endorsed candidates for school board and City Council, opposition forces as well as establishment Dems are looking to the 2015 mayoral cycle and speculating about possible challengers to Mayor Bill Finch. What names are floating as possible contenders? Mary-Jane Foster, who challenged Finch in a 2011 mayoral primary, John Gomes, who was also in the field for a while, former Mayor John Fabrizi and Judge of Probate Paul Ganim.

Foster hasn’t gone to sleep following her primary effort in 2011. She was part of the organized opposition that defeated endorsed Dems on primary Tuesday. Foster showed in 2011 she can raise the money to wage a competitive race. Will the University of Bridgeport executive ramp up her campaign earlier this time?

Gomes, who served as Finch’s deputy chief administrative officer in charge of the government-efficiency CitiStat program before a falling-out with the mayor, was a primary challenger in 2011 before dropping out of the race to support Foster. His Red Rooster deli was the scene of the challenge-slate victory party last Tuesday. Money-challenged in 2011, will he be better financed if he gets in? Did Gomes lose an opportunity to raise his profile by not seeking election to the City Council? Gomes says he’s poised for another run.

“I remain strongly focused on the vision I had during my campaign. I believe in Bridgeport and the great future that lies ahead. Its political shift beginning with the Charter revision vote and most recent results from the primary demonstrates the strength of the unified voters. We have a long way to go as a community to achieve political equality and remove the selfishness and self greed that has plagued this Bridgeport. We must continue on this strategic path with one voter at a time.”

John Fabrizi has been talking to party regulars about a political comeback. Fabs’ political career has been based largely on the party machinery, such as it is. A challenger today cannot afford to sit back and wait for the party to run into his open arms. Can he show strength by building coalitions independent of the party regulars? And can he raise money?

Paul Ganim, brother of former mayor Joe, has served as probate judge for 15 years, a peachy elected position overseeing the administration of estates, trust funds, child custody matters and conservatorships that lends itself to helping people and making friends. He’s up for another four-year term next year. The job pays roughly $110,000 annually. Probate judges, unlike judges for Connecticut’s Superior, Appellate and Supreme courts nominated by the governor and approved by the legislature, can maintain private practices and are only required to work 20 hours a week although the court is open for 40 hours. If Paul Ganim wins reelection he’s set up seemingly for a free run for mayor with a four-year term locked in, but the code of conduct for probate judges places limits on solicitation of funds for campaign purposes. Could he take a leave of absence from the probate court to get around that?

Finch will be well financed for reelection. He has already raised more than $100k. If last Tuesday’s primary results were a referendum on his mayoralty, he has two years to turn things around. Will Steel Point become a reality? Will a replacement for Harding High School be built? Can he avoid tax increases the next two budget cycles?

A multi-primary field could be advantage Finch, depending on the candidates, with challengers splitting up the anti vote.