Former State Rep. Hector Diaz has announced on his Facebook page he’s a candidate for the February 24th special election to fill the 129th State House seat following the resignation of Auden Grogins who’s been nominated to the state bench by Governor Dan Malloy. Former Democratic City Councilman Steve Stafstrom and Republican councilor Enrique Torres are also in the race.
Diaz wrote this on his Facebook page:
People have asked me “why would you want to run for office?” My answer it’s simple, I love this city and the people who make BRIDGEPORT their home, I believe in all of you. Everyone has a calling, something they are really good at. For me it’s been service to my community. I hear and read everyday how we need people to step up, that certain parts of the city are ignored or treated like stepchildren. I was a member of one of the strongest delegations to represent Bridgeport in recent memory. With the help of my colleagues, we secured the funding for the Arena and baseball field, Wentfield park along with many other projects.
The Hartford waterfront revitalization was made possible because at the time it was agreed that Bridgeport Harbor and “Harbor Point” would also get the assistance needed to attract hotels, new homes and an infrastructure similar to Baltimore’s, never would I have imagined that a “big box” type store would replace the homes there? I still believe in BRIDGEPORT and its future. I was much younger, in many ways and yet very effective in my second term I was vice chairman of the housing committee and vice chairman of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus (I Was the point man on the Sheff v O’Neil meetings). I have matured and now have a daughter in third grade in the public school system, I am a witness daily to the needs of this system. I (ask) that you speak to your friends and family that live in the Black Rock, Brooklawn and South End areas to come out on February 24th and support my candidacy, please feel free to contact me with any ideas or offers of help. Let’s get BRIDGEPORT back on Track!
Diaz served a couple of terms in the adjacent 130th State House District more than a decade ago. His late father served for more than 20 years as Bridgeport’s town clerk. Last March Diaz was part of a losing Democratic Town Committee slate that tried to seize control of the Black Rock political district.
Stafstrom and Torres will likely receive the endorsement of their respective parties in the upcoming week. Democrats have scheduled an endorsement session Thursday, 5:30 p.m. at Testo’s Pizzeria on Brooklawn Avenue in Fairfield, just across the city line, owned by Democratic Town Chair Mario Testa. (Update: location changed to Testo’s Restaurant on Madison Avenue, 5:30.)
Challengers can petition onto the ballot by securing one percent of signatures from the total turnout of the November general election for that seat. Just a few dozen certified signatures are required to make the ballot for this special election.
The district covers Black Rock, West Side and portions of the North End and West End.
It was closer to three terms. I was elected as a petitioning candidate in a special election.
Yes!
Hector doesn’t work for the largest law firm in Connecticut, like Steven Stafstrom.
Hector has no conflict of interest, like Steven Stafstrom has, and he didn’t just move into the 129th.
Hector’s not running to secure his job with the city of Bridgeport, like Tom McCarthy.
Hector’s running to help and serve the people of the 129th, and all the people of Bridgeport!
Hector, welcome to the race. The more the better. Competition is a good thing.
Hector Diaz, this is the second time you have waited to run, you wanted to run for the BOE then you didn’t and you’ve waited to the last minute to run again. Hector, you have the background and experience to run but I just think it would have been better for you to get out there right away to show you are serious. You know what’s best for you.
Ron, I appreciate your thoughts and had I known in advance Auden was leaving, I would have announced much earlier. When one decides to run they have to take into account the stress on their family and the people who assist them in that run. It is not as easy as one might think (especially when not endorsed, or seeking endorsement). If you could, give me the opportunity to speak with you either on the phone or in person, I’m sure you would understand.
Hector, I’m glad you said, “I have matured and now have a daughter in third grade in the public school system, I am a witness daily to the needs of this system” because that shows growth. Hector, you have name recognition, people know you and people like you, that gives you a head start and you should have run for the BOE because you had chance to win. I’m still a big-time Ed Gomes supporter.
Ron, I am also a fan of Ed Gomes, who was good friends with my dad and whose political ideals are much in tune with mine. If his people believe we could work together, I too would welcome their support. I have not aligned myself with any of the candidates running for THE OTHER OPEN SEAT (SENATE), but am open to conversation with any of them. On a personal note Mr. Mackey (Ron). We know each other from politics and not personally, you have an opinion of me formed from that relationship like many others I have through the city and that’s okay. There are members of your family who know me personally, I love them like sisters, we spent our most challenging years on the East Side and F.P.V. and I am proud to say THOSE CHALLENGES HAVE HELPED TO MAKE US ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN WE ARE NOW.
AMEN!!!
Hector, all of my postings to you were about suggestions and comments to you that you needed to run for the different elected positions you had made comments about because I thought you would serve Bridgeport in a good way and that would learn and grow.
Ron, your constructive criticism has always been appreciated. I may not have expressed that and for that I apologize and thank you. If you could consider a way to help me out, again it would be appreciated and I would prove that by my actions.
Nothing says I’m a rugged individual more than being elected as a petitioning candidate during a special election. Hector Diaz is a potent candidate.
And nothing says Bridgeport keeps getting better than a new app that allows folks to report needed repairs. App here:
connecticut.news12.com/news/new-bridgeport-app-to-help-residents-report-problems-1.9790852
Bridgeport is where citizens use tomorrow’s technology today!
LE,
The citizens may be using “tomorrow’s technology today” but the elected leadership continues to use old, worn down, pencil and paper type technology to employ folks. If new technology has meant more, better, faster in some areas of business, then we have missed much of that promise as it comes to accountability and governance. Is it because if too much is revealed and available, the cloud of confusion and ignorance too quickly vanishes, and we all know exactly where we are? Time will tell.
Don’t laugh, pencil and paper were the original computer, and we all know how tech improved after that. Time has told.
Zero-based budgeting should never be confused with zero-based transparency, unless you have something to hide! Time will tell.