Felons Are People Too … And They Can Vote–Ernie Newton’s Quest For Redemption

In the long and winding road that is Bridgeport politics, every candidate–especially this year–is seeking an edge in the Aug. 14 Democratic primary. For some it will be absentee ballots, for others relying on the party establishment to churn out a vote, for others running against the system. The State Senate campaign operation of Democratic-endorsed Ernie Newton trumpeting a battle cry of Redemption and Opportunity is reaching out to a constituency most often overlooked in city elections: felons. Yes, felons. They too can generally vote.

Newton, although the endorsed candidate, knows this primary is no cakewalk. He’s facing two foes with voter bases, incumbent Ed Gomes and State Rep. Andres Ayala. The Newton campaign is stitching together elements of the party establishment, constituent relationships the candidate has built over 30 years of public service and a database of former offenders who can relate to Newton’s message for a second chance. Newton hasn’t been bashful in his quest for redemption: I’m sorry for my past conduct, I’ve done my time, I’m even with the house, time to move on. It’s a challenging sell. But Connecticut’s 23rd State Senate District is loaded with thousands of potential voters seeking second chances, just like Newton. And an extended family of mothers, fathers, sisters, bothers, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews who have had a family member in trouble seeking a second chance.

Under Connecticut law felons are allowed to vote, even those on probation, provided they aren’t incarcerated at election time and have satisfied all court-ordered fines and restitution. In 1998 Connecticut amended the law governing voting privileges of felons. It was signed by then-Governor John Rowland at the urging of then-State Rep. Ernie Newton. How prophetic.

The East End is Newton’s sweet spot. He lives there, represented the district on the City Council, then the State House and State Senate before a federal corruption probe forced his resignation in 2005. Dunbar and Harding voting precincts should be squarely in the Newton column, buoyed by Newton’s presence and that of East End District Leader Ralph Ford who has a history of delivering candidates he supports. But those precincts alone are not enough to produce a Newton win. The district covers about 70 percent of the city, predominately African American and Latino precincts, from portions of the North End straight down to the South End and the entire eastern side of the city. It also includes a small portion of western Stratford.

The Newton operation is coming off an endorsement backed by a number of political operatives across the district as well as support from several members of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, a coalition of city clergy including State Rep. Charlie Stallworth. Churchgoing folks in the city’s African American community vote in much higher proportional numbers than those who don’t church. The ministers, if they weigh in, can deliver votes. The church is a place for a new start.

But the reaction voters have toward Newton will depend a lot on how he communicates to them over the next 10 weeks. Voters like comeback stories, but they like them when the messenger shows contrition with clear examples of what he will do if they grant a second chance. Most electors–black, white, brown and every other demographic group–tend to vote on the future.

And that’s where this State Senate battle will likely be settled. How Newton, Gomes and Ayala explain what they’re going to do if they get there.

Coming next: Ed Gomes.