Democratic mayoral candidate Lamond Daniels, who failed to qualify for the September primary, has secured a place in the general election as a petitioning candidate.
He’s also awaiting word on potential backing from the Connecticut Working Families Party which has until September 6 to make an endorsement for the general election. State Senator Marilyn Moore, who also did not qualify for the primary and John Gomes who has successfully petitioned on, are also seeking the endorsement.
Statement from Daniels:
Bridgeport is a great city, a place that I have been proud to call home for over thirty years, and the city where my wife and I are raising our children. But we are a city in need of new direction. When we began this campaign, I knew it would be challenging to run against an entrenched incumbent and the politics as usual that have defined our city for decades.
Now, many of the 3000+ signatures we collected have been rejected, despite coming from legitimate Democratic voters, so we will not be on the Democratic Primary ballot this September. While this deprives Bridgeport voters of the opportunity they deserve for a fully contested Democratic Primary, I am already on the ballot for November as an independent candidate and awaiting to hear a final decision from the Working Families Party regarding their endorsement decision. I will make an announcement on that in the coming days. I am very disappointed at this outcome and the flawed system that allows it, but these are the challenges of a first-time candidate, and we will learn from this experience and grow stronger.
For today, I extend gratitude to all of my supporters and petition gatherers for their hard work, against all odds, to give our city a brighter future. We were discounted from the start, but too many voices have been ignored for too long, and too many voters feel disconnected and disrespected by City Hall for our cause to end today. We gave them a voice, and that voice will grow louder. And while we are all disappointed in the outcome of this process, let’s take pride in the work we’ve done to fight for a future we believe in.
Our work is far from done, showing Bridgeporters that we can choose a new direction. Whether it happens in this election or the next one, I pledge I will not stop until we have a City Hall truly representative of the citizens it serves. I am deeply grateful and humbled by the support we received, and I look forward to continuing our fight.
For nor letting deadlines interfere with the task at hand, I applaud Lamond Daniels. He found a way.
Nothing feels better than reaching for the top!
Hey, Lennie could you get a copy of the petitions with any improperly rejected signatures highlighted? As you know, I’m team Gomes all the way, but if Mr. Daniels (a great guy) was cheated by the registrar’s office as he claimed I believe we should all know how.
I hope if these allegations are true he fights for his rights in court where everyone is under oath. At the very least he should file a formal complaint with SEEC (I know I would had I been cheated.). What he does next with his claims of being unfairly denied ballot access will say a lot about how he will govern as mayor.
By the way, Mr. Daniels states that he will be running as an Independent candidate, that may be confusing to some, because John Gomes is running as the Independent (which is a political party) to be clearer and not confuse the voters Mr. Daniel will be running without a party endorsement (should he not be endorsed by a party).
In the meanwhile, vote John Gomes and row B on September 12! Especially for BOE!
Thumbs up for JoSo. Daniel’s hasn’t heard the term ‘Petitioning Candidate’.
“…awaiting to hear a final decision from the Working Families Party regarding their endorsement decision. I will make an announcement on that in the coming days.”
The fix is in. Daniel’s knows that Working Families Party has made its “final decision” and in fact will announce their endorsement “in the coming days”. He even has his announcement/speech regarding his endorsement by the Working Familes Party ready.
“…While this deprives Bridgeport voters of the opportunity they deserve for a fully contested Democratic Primary, I am already on the ballot for November as an independent candidate and awaiting to hear a final decision from the Working Families Party regarding their endorsement decision. I will make an announcement on that in the coming days. I am very disappointed at this outcome and the flawed system that allows it, but these are the challenges of a first-time candidate, and we will learn from this experience and grow…”
Good sign for a healthy contest in November! Candidate Daniels created and executed a viable Plan B to stay in the race. It is very possible that, having gotten a taste of Bridgeport a mayoral campaign, the lessons learned will be put effective use on the way to a long-shot victory… I’m sure you’ve piqued the interest of many Bridgeporters looking for really new, fresh, and powerful ideas and leadership for a Bridgeport resurgence. I’m sure that you do, indeed, have a realistic chance — by way of a well-crafted and executed plan — to win in November, albeit against the predictions of local oddsmakers…
Good luck, Mr. Daniels!!
Daniels a very nice man is being pushed by Finch / Wood / Fabrizi ( been there done that ) and is running as a independent working party candidate?
BTW
As far as the African American vote which he will pull some from Ganim does anyone remember besides speaking 7 languages John Gomes is black ? I’d think he’d make that a 3 way split with the Latino vote & the independent endorsement helping him