It has the makings of a wild Democratic primary. The election cycle is heating up with former Mayor Joe Ganim scouring the political system for Democratic Town Committee votes and 2011 mayoral candidate Mary-Jane Foster seriously considering another run in what could be a three-way primary as Mayor Bill Finch, with more than $300,000 in the campaign account, seeks a third four-year term.
Ganim and Foster are not officially in the race but both are burning up the phone lines and engaged in meetings in anticipation of a run with Ganim possibly forming a campaign committee later this week.
Television and radio interviews, phone calls and numerous political meetings, Ganim appears to be doing what is necessary to build a foundation for what he hopes is a comeback for the job he left following his conviction on corruption charges 12 years ago. Could Ganim actually snag the town committee endorsement from Finch who as the incumbent controls the candy store of patronage? Not likely, but Ganim is close enough to make Finch political operatives pay attention to it. Also, to Ganim’s way of thinking, he’s meeting with town committee members already committed to Finch just to chill them out from full engagement on behalf of Finch. That’s what Joe does. Ya never know what can happen between now and the July endorsement session.
At some point the Finch political operation will unload on Ganim’s past and pounce on any current slip-ups. Ganim must raise money to persuade voters things will be different if they give him a second chance and immunize himself from Finch attacks. It’s gonna get noisy.
Finch and Ganim were never warm and fuzzy even when Ganim was at the apex of his popularity while Finch served on the City Council and then the State Senate. They coexisted out of political necessity.
Meanwhile, Foster seems to be stepping up her game behind the scenes trying to position herself as a viable alternative, albeit late in the process. Foster years ago had friendships with both Ganim and Finch but is now fond of neither of them. Foster brings a base of support in the Black Rock and Brooklawn sections of the city. Can she expand it? Very soon the political tom-toms between Ganim and Finch will beat. Can Foster emerge as a viable alternative? Depends on what she says and how she says it. She’ll need money too. Can she spend enough to break through?
Finch continues on his way raising buckets of cash. It’s not improbable for the incumbent to have $500K to spend on the primary. Governor Dan Malloy is expected to endorse Finch at an upcoming event which could open up even more pockets of moolah.
Primary day will take place not on a traditional Tuesday but Wednesday September 16th, in observance of Rosh HaShanah, according to the election calendar posted by the Office of the Connecticut Secretary of the State. Election calendar here.
I really hope Mary-Jane Foster runs. I am sure we will see Brendan Sharkey and other Malloy puppets working on behalf of Mayor Finch.
“Money can’t buy you love,” Mayor Finch. You just may be the second Linda McMahon in CT elections history. We all know how having “buckets of cash” worked for her.
I find it hilarious Finch would embrace a Malloy endorsement.
By the time September rolls around, Malloy’s positives might be in single digits.
Malloy heaping praise on Finch, “take it from someone who knows a thing or two about how difficult it is to balance a budget these days.”
And Finch smiling and saying, “Dan, you and Ben Barnes taught me everything I know.”
Finch has no credibility in connection with the state legislation that would ban persons convicted for public corruption from holding public office. He did not push such legislation when other Bridgeport politicians ran but not against him. He also continues to sit on the sidelines in connection with the legislation that would ban City employees from serving on the City Council consistent with our ratified City Charter. You are either for integrity across the board or you aren’t! It is clear the City will need a third and more credible alternative in the General Election if both Finch and Ganim run.
Damn you, Ganim! Can’t you just stay out of view so the city can get some of its integrity back?
Charlie, anyone who meets all the legal qualification to run for office should be allowed to run. The voters will make the decision as to whom they want as their mayor.
Finch offered Charlie Coviello a job last time he ran, that’s when Coviello pulled out of the race for mayor. Charlie never got his job!
This time Charlie will be holding aces, he only needs a few on the DTC.
Despite what Lennie say’s, Mary-Jane will go down as the spoiler on this one.
If she really wants a shot at winning, Mary-Jane should hook up with the WFP. That will take her all the way to November’s election and avoid the primary altogether.
Bill Finch would love to see a hundred people in this primary race against Mayor Ganim.
Off topic, sorry.
I just received my Sierra Club membership renewal notice. They gave Finch some crap award for being “green” recently.
I decided not to give them my dues check due to the Seaside Park solar farm scam, i.e. a possible job for Finch with the UI when we don’t re-elect him, and told the Sierra Club so.
I ask others to do the same. Thanks.
Black Rockin, Onte Johnson who serves in leadership with the local chapter of the Sierra Club is a former employee of Families for Ex$ellent Schools, and he is a HUGE charter school proponent. Connect the dots.
I just received a forwarded Facebook message where a resident of Trumbull encouraging parents to attend an “INFO SESSION” on Dr. Perry’s “new charter school coming to Bridgeport.”
Where is the session being held? None other than the Margaret E. Morton Government Center located at 999 Broad Street.
Mayor Finch has illegally underfunded the Bridgeport Public Schools for three consecutive years, but is helping to promote Dr. Perry’s charter school that will siphon away over $7 million from the BPS over the next five years. And, he is doing it within a building funded 100% by Bridgeport taxpayers.
I just spoke with someone who said “Margaret Morton would be turning over in her grave.” This person said she would have never supported charter schools.
I cannot wait until September 16, 2015.
I still say Westfair Fish Market has the best Whole Belly clams in the area and the portions are outrageous not to mention the best clam chowder. Located in Westport, I always run into and chat with Bridgeport politicians. Especially those who served during Ganim’s administration. That, btw, is not a negative, good taste is good taste. The owner is a Republican and Fox news plays constantly. I have won many free dinners and arguments from him and have begged him to expand and move to Steelepointe.
Charter schools and the Hennessy bill will not be an issue in the next election. If a candidate doesn’t have a plan for development and expanding the tax base, then take a nap!
Steve, both will definitely be an issue in the upcoming election.