Outside of Black Rock and a few pockets here and there, it’s lonely for Republican political operatives. During the 20-year period from 1971 to 1991 Republicans occupied the mayor’s office for 10 of those years. They had strong representation on the City Council and some state legislative seats. When 32-year-old Democrat Joe Ganim was elected mayor in 1991 the city’s GOP registration was about 12,000. It is now down to under 4,000. Republicans have called for minority-party representation on the City Council and even some Democrats agree it would be nice to have a different point of view.
City Republicans say it’s better to play nice and offer solutions about the city’s fiscal challenges than just piling on with criticisms. Republicans kicked out this news release on Monday:
The Bridgeport Republican Party is offering to help Mayor Ganim and the all Democrat administration chart a new course that would result in the resolution of a decades-long problem. The over-taxation of the people of Bridgeport has been a burden for far too long and Bridgeport Republicans are opting not to take the standard political tact of simply casting blame on the mayor or the all Democrat City Council. They acknowledge that this is a problem that affects all Bridgeporters and that this latest tax increase is sending some our city’s residents into financial crisis. As such Republicans will attempt to forego political gain and simply try to help.
Mike Garrett, Bridgeport Republican Town Committee Chairman, says as a message to Mayor Ganim, “We would like to engage your administration in a collaborative partnership to begin this great enterprise of restoring the city of Bridgeport to a state that is more conducive to business and less oppressive to taxpayers. I hope you will be willing to approve such an initiative. The people of Bridgeport have elected you as our Mayor and as such we Republicans hope that your Election campaign that was based on the message to stop the tax increases was sincere. As such, we stand ready to offer our suggestions as representatives of a portion of your constituency and above all as fellow Bridgeporters.”
Republicans Hope that Mayor Ganim will open a door that has been shut for too long and invite those that have been unrepresented to a seat at the table. Furthermore, the sentiment among Republicans is that if the Mayor has been honest about wanting to get Bridgeport’s people out from under the current oppressive tax burden then he will accept the alternative voice being offered.
The Republicans have done nothing for the past 10-plus years. They have offered up Rick Torres as a mayoral candidate and he got no support outside the party. The Republicans then ran slates for the council who were just sacrificial lambs. I have not seen any valued ideas from this party. Stay Sleeping.
Please, the Bridgeport Republican Party already has a savior and that’s David Walker. Walker ran for Lieutenant Governor here in Connecticut in the Republican Party where he lost in the Republican primary. Plus Walker is an officer with CW4BB and I’m told they have Democrats and others in the group so Mike Garrett, join up with them.
The Republican party in the face of Ricky Torres, had a seat at the table and they gave it up for a pipe dream of being the Mayor. Now in hindsight they realize the seat they threw away was more valuable than realized and want another bite of the apple. One party’s garbage is another party’s, well you know the rest.
Donald, how many times did different people write and said exactly what you just said. I truly believe Bridgeport would be a better City if there were a strong active Republican Party here, but there isn’t. Black Rock is a very knowledgeable section of Bridgeport and they are pissed off at the tax increase but they elect people who don’t look after their concerns. Well, that’s their fault plus they keep looking to Rick Torres to be their savior. Bridgeport is a Democratic City and the 130th district needs to run a slate of those who think like they do for the Democratic Town Committee and all they need is to elect five people, that’s right, just five of the nine members of the DTC and they control the district, just five people. Forget about the Republican Party and take over the 130th district DTC. If they do that they take power away from Danny Roach and Mayor Ganim. But Don, they won’t do it.
Again, feel like I am being told to become a mobster to infiltrate and take over the Mafia.
Jennifer, then tell me what kind of outreach has Governor Pence done to expand the base of the Republican Party there? Just look at the Republican national convention and tell me do you think they have a welcoming for those who don’t look like them? Jennifer, the mobster is in both parties.
You are correct, Ron.
The GOP doesn’t exist in Bridgeport, not in this dimension.
Here is what I do not get. The Democrats have run the city for the past 20 years and nothing is visibly better. Business is not better, schools are not better, roads, the budget, opportunity are not better. So why does the majority of the city continually tie their stakes to the Democrats? If change is truly wanted, I think a rival Bridgeport political party (the CW4BB, a rival Democratic party, rebrand the Republican party) has to arise to run and elect people who care more about doing right for the city and its citizens and less about feeding their ego or their other, less noble, pursuits.
DC Faber, really, CW4BB? CW4BB is basically a organization of mostly those from Black Rock and mostly white while over 70% of Bridgeport are people of color and most of them know nothing about CW4BB and to think they would support a group they know nothing about, that’s not happening.
Technically, it’s a PAC.
You’re absolutely correct DC, it appears as if integrity and rectitude among politicians irrespective of ethnicity or gender is sadly absent.
Donald and Ron, from an outside perspective you two sell yourselves as having great outreach and understanding of how to trigger citizens of different ethnic diversity to get involved. It would be so nice for you two to reach out to CW4BB and help the cause in building the bridges that connect the people of Bridgeport. Why not jump on board CW4BB and help? It’s my understanding CW4BB realizes it will take a city, to take the city back. Surely you both would like to see Bridgeport improve? Surely, you two stand for honest and transparent government? Surely, you two are concerned and realize a need for change? Why not offer what you know? My understanding is CW4BB’s doors are open to any Bridgeport citizens who want honest change. Why not be a part of the change? Just a thought. Good day, gentlemen.
Hi Ron, what Mary wrote is what I am also thinking. I know Bridgeport is 70% people who are not white and I also know the city needs a lot of improvement in order to create an environment where Black Rock and ALL other sections of the city can become better. CW4BB wants to improve the city’s finances, which will help all as it will make Bridgeport more attractive for investment. I do not get the impression the folks behind CW4BB are only concerned about Black Rock. The tax assessment is what brought the masses to the table but David Walker and JML have been speaking about the sad state of budgetary affairs for years. And Black Rock’s tax situation cannot and will not improve unless the entire city improves. For this to make an impact and hopefully break the grip of the current Bridgeport Democrats so we can have sane, responsible government, then I think it has to be a full-throated approach with people from all sections of the city; to paraphrase the ’80s catchphrase of Benetton, The United Colors of Bridgeport!
If not the CW4BB, then I would love to see other groups form that can organize to break the power grip of the Democrats. I have nothing against the party as a whole, but in Bridgeport it seems as the party has been more concerned with self-preservation than actually doing things to help the city. It is time to release the potential of Bridgeport!