Twenty four years ago, then Democratic City Councilman Bill Finch defeated Republican incumbent Lee Scarpetti in the general election to represent Bridgeport, Trumbull and Monroe in the State Senate. Reelected comfortably multiple times, higher office called in 2007 when party insiders tapped him to replace incumbent John Fabrizi for mayor.
Finch squeezed out a hard-fought primary challenge by then State Rep. Chris Caruso on his way to winning the mayoralty.
Finch lost his seat in 2015 to a returning Joe Ganim. Finch is a policy wonk who enjoyed his years in the legislature’s higher chamber in a district where relationships matter due to the diversity of the tri-town region.
Finch, now a Trumbull resident, is part of a four person field: the others Trumbull resident Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, City Councilman Scott Burns and ex councilman Tyler Mack who recently moved into the district departing the adjoining 23rd Senatorial.
Finch, as the others, is participating in Connecticut’s Citizens Election Program of publicly funded races. State senate candidates must raise $17,300 from at least 300 individuals residing in municipalities in their districts to receive an approximate $110,000 for a primary. The maximum personal contribution is $320. No contributions from state contractors or PACs. The full general election grant is $124,000.
Finch is hosting a major fundraiser June 12 at the city’s amphitheater.
Political Payback!