It’s July 4th week, time to light the political fireworks fuse to local elections.
Mark August 13 on the calendar for Democratic primaries. Bridgeport and suburbs feature two races for State Senate and one State House seat confined to Bridgeport’s eastern zone.
The largest field aims to replace a retiring Marilyn Moore in Connecticut’s 22nd District covering about one third of Bridgeport, all of Trumbull and southern Monroe. For decades the seat toggled between Democrats and Republicans but has settle comfortably in the Dem zone the past 20 years. It’s arguably the most diverse district in Connecticut that requires dexterity to balance the constituency.
Moore’s unexpected retirement announcement on the last day of the legislative session touched off a mad scramble to replace her. Support during the convention was so split up no one was endorsed, creating an open primary between essentially three Bridgeport-centric candidates and one from Trumbull. The Trumbull political operation pulled off a deft machination, once its candidate had enough delegate support to qualify for the ballot it made sure to spread around support to create a wider field of candidates.
Bill Finch occupied the legislative seat for about seven years prior to winning the mayoralty in 2007. He does, however, enjoy roots in Trumbull where he was raised and attended public schools. He also is now a resident of Trumbull. He can certainly claim the experience mantle in this race with specific resources he brought back to the district.
Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, a law professor at Quinnipiac University, is fairly well known to the Trumbull electorate running a couple of close races for State House. She has been campaigning in all three communities introducing herself to many Bridgeport political operatives. She’s not unfamiliar with urban settings, having been raised in Queens, New York. She is also likely to be the first to receive a $110,000 grant from Connecticut’s Citizens Election Program of publicly funded races. She is the first to submit her grant application to the State Elections Enforcement Commission that oversees the voluntary program.
Former City Councilman Tyler Mack brings political contacts to the table. He is a staffer for Congressman Jim Himes and once worked for the top official in the State Senate, Martin Looney. Mack recently moved into Black Rock from the adjoining senate district. He had an independent streak on the council not always voting with the Ganim administration. He, like the others, is working hard to qualify for public dollars.
City Councilman Scott Burns brings a base of support from Black Rock that is also diverse in geography with the wealthiest homes in the city but also includes the P.T. Barnum public housing complex. Burns is a leading financial voice on the council having served as co-chair of the Budget & Appropriations Committee for years. He’s also a former teacher with excellent educational bona fides.
Anticipation is an optimum word in this battle because so much of it depends on the public dough and a fast blast expenditure in the final weeks to churn out a vote. Under the program senate candidates must raise roughly $18,000 in donations coming from at least 300 contributions of $320 and less to trigger the grant.
Across the way on the other side of the city and a portion of western Stratford, freshman State Senator Herron Gaston faces an August 13 primary from East End City Councilman Ernie Newton, looking to regain the seat he held 20 years ago. Gaston is well liked among Hartford leadership and received the endorsement from Looney and Majority Leader Bob Duff.
Newton petitioned his way to primary Gaston taking to the streets after falling short one delegate vote at the nominating convention. There isn’t a lot love between Gaston and Newton.
Two years ago Newton backed then State Senator Dennis Bradley who lost a close primary to Gaston. Bradley’s under federal indictment for alleged violations of Connecticut’s campaign finance laws stemming from his 2018 legislative run. He’s awaiting trial.
Newton is precluded from public dollars due to his federal conviction about 20 years ago. He will be heavily outspent, relying on personal donations outside the public money program but Newton notes he requires far less money because of his name recognition. He, too, is emphasizing his experience in the upper chamber.
The State House battle between incumbent Andre Baker and City Councilwoman Eneida Martinez should be a doozy. Both are well liked among their respective constituencies: Baker, a low-key funeral home director, Martinez a fiery campaigner with an East End base.
This district covers the Dunbar, Harding, Beardsley and JFK precincts.
Irrespective of the attention placed on absentee ballots from last year’s extended mayoral cycle, they will be a factor.
