Associated Press reporter Susan Haigh shadowed Mayor Joe Ganim’s hunt for signatures in the Hollow, as he tries to petition onto the August primary ballot to face Democratic-endorsed Greenwich millionaire Ned Lamont in a gubernatorial primary. Dozens of Ganim operatives are canvassing Connecticut cities for signatures from Democratic voters. June 12 is the signature deadline submission. He needs about 15,500 verified signatures.
From Haigh:
“I think Ned is going to be scathed somewhat and I think that’s going to work to the advantage to whomever emerges as the Republican nominee,” Rose said. “Ganim’s base of support could potentially stay home.”
Ganim’s popularity was evident as he knocked on doors in the “Hollow” neighborhood of Bridgeport, where he was greeted with hugs and requests for selfies. It’s one of the most ethnically diverse neighborhoods in a city of more than 147,000, where almost a quarter of the population lives below the federal poverty line.
Ganim greeted voters with a “Hey, it’s Ganim” or “Hey man, you vote?”, then asking, “Will you sign my petition so they’ll let me run for governor?”
Some of Ganim’s supporters spoke openly about having served time in prison, their difficulty finding work and concerns about the city’s youth turning to drugs.
“I don’t think the neighborhoods of Greenwich are exactly like this,” quipped Ganim, a not-so-subtle reference to Lamont and his wealthy hometown.
Full story here.
“…For his part, Lamont pledged at the state convention to help Bridgeport, where he has volunteered at one of the city’s high schools. Lamont promised to be on ‘Bridgeport’s side every day. Don’t worry about that. All of our cities.’…”
And where has Ned Lamont’s voice been, in regard to Bridgeport, during the past 8 years?! And just what would he do for Bridgeport?!
Sure; Lamont will be “on Bridgeport’s side” — just like Malloy, after his Bridgeport-secured victory 8 years ago…
Does any Bridgeporter of any intelligence really believe that another Gold Coaster in Hartford is going to up-end that region’s cushy “servants quarters” relationship with Bridgeport?! Can any Bridgeporter allow themselves to believe that the Gold Coast is going to surrender tax base to Bridgeport even as they take on the accommodation of a massive workforce within their midst as Bridgeport labor opts to work locally at the 50,000 good jobs needed per the socioeconomic revitalization of this almost-dead city (in this dying state…)
If anyone is willing to believe the Fairy Tale of a Lamont rescue of Bridgeport, they should working as a screen writer for Walt Disney Pictures…
Jeff, where has any of Republican candidates for governor plan for Bridgeport and especially David Walker who is a resident of Bridgeport?
You just hate Walker. Its obvious to all. Move on. It is getting old and mighty stale.
Zena Lu, I don’t hate David Walker, he’s a honorable person but I do find it troubling that Walker can’t and won’t find the the time to visit and to sit down and listen to certain voters in the city he resides in. He can start in December after the Democrats win the governor’s position. Think about this, there’s NO Republican candidate for governor or any other statewide position who can get black voters, Walker could if he ever decide to reach out. Zana why don’t you help him accomplish this.
Ron, its not even about you. I just get so tired of the never ending stream of smack talk that is so pervasive not only on this media outlet, in our City and State. I visit OIB because its thr best concentrated news source about Bridgeport. I just wish folks respected each other much more than they do.
I’m with Zena Lu here. Walker did not win, place or show. Put your money on the best horse.
The best modern-era governor for Bridgeport was Lowell Weicker who was as gold as you can get from the evil Golf Coast. In fact,I think Weicker was from Greenwich as well. ALL other CT governors did squat for Bridgeport. In fact,I would say Malloy did more for Bridgeport(school building funding etc) and was bettered only by Weicker.
*** I’am bored with the Ct. governor’s race from either side. *** So lets have a quick blog-chat on the questionable legitimacy of Trump’s continued presidency & the continued resistance by the Dem’s to push for a possible impeachment proceding’s by wanting the bar raised on the extent & actual ability to get factual evidence pertaining to the Russia/Trump investigation. Everyday, Trump acts like the kid who was asked if he’s eating the cup-cakes that were in the Refrig. yet keeps saying it wasn’t him but has the cup-cake frosting on his chin & fingers? His continued tweeking about the Russia/Trump witch-hunt, etc.. is telling in it’s self. One whom is really innocent of any wrong doing in general, does not worry about any government investigations; Especially the Commander & Chief of the U.S of America. There doesn’t pass a week since the Muellor Investigation began, where Trump has not failed to either tweet or mention something about the investigation to the media whom when not needed to repeat his words on the news, is labeled as fake-news! Never in the history of the U.S presidency in its first 18-months of service by a winning candidate of any party has there been so much Admin. negative actions, media coverage called fake news if not in agreement with the President’s policys or actions, on going investigation on a new U.S president & his candidacy, not to mention the amount of W/H firing’s in 18-months! This 45th president will either go down in American History as the man who did it his way, or the man that embarrassed the office of the U.S presidency! ***
Ron, it’s troubling how constructive criticism is now being conveyed as Hate. It’s troubling how Zena is trying to change your narrative on Dave Walker which is if he is seriously trying to mount a successful campaign for governor then he should reach out to the Black community which he calls home rather, than Hate.
It appears as if some white people never take a break or rests from trying to put words into the mouths of black’s to sustain their own narrative about what black’s should think, feel, say or believe.
Don, it seems that the Republican Party as a whole can not reach out and won’t reach out to black voters. Don, how can what I’m saying be consider hate when I’m giving David Walker a Afrocentric point of view in helping Walker and the Republican Party to get black votes.
Zena this is a local, public blog. If you find some comments offensive, don’t read the blog, or grow some skin. You’ve been around awhile, at least long enough to realize you’re living and working in a tough, urban City, one that I love and hope I never have to leave. The timid could go to the back of the line and observe while keeping their opinions and criticisms to themselves. Now you know I know you, and the last thing I want to do is show you how political veterans handle “things.” Keep doing a good job for the City, and leave the politics to the pros.
And the beat goes on.
It sure does, and you’re the one who should realize that. You’re benefitting from what I taught you, the kindness of political strangers, not to mention the taxes I pay that fund your salary.
Zena Lu is Gabrielle Parisi. She is bought and paid for by Mayor Ganim.
It seems that Gabrielle Parisi is a big Republican supporter of David Walker, hmmm, I wonder what her boss knows about that.
The Mackey / Day drone is tiring. It never changes. Sadly, it reflects a theme adopted by a permanent self-perceived underclass as their excuse for their status in life.
Even more sad is seeing Ganim so desperate for political relevancy that he panders to hapless parasites on society (his fellow felons) before heading home to Easton.
Tom White being white as usual. My comments concerning Dave Walker and the Republican Party asking them and suggesting to them that blacks are also voters and that they should reach out to them but to Tom White and bigot mindset he has a problem with us suggesting Republicans and Walker to seek black voters. White is a typical 45 supporter.
Why would a Republican candidate, in a primary, waste any time in Bridgeport? Chris Shays lived in Bridgeport and every election got trounced in Bridgeport! You can’t catch a bluefish in Bunnell Pond.
No problem, if that’s Republicans value of black voters no problem. Chris Shays did have black support in Bridgeport and it was nothing to see him at my church, he came by his self and he very comfortable and it wasn’t always during election time.
you are 100% correct. I think if a Republican would come to a city, like Bridgeport and visit Black Churches they could get some votes from the African-American community.
I know some people who caught the crabs at Beardsley park.
Would that make you a beach comber?
Dog whistle fox.
Tom White being white, when in this America race is nothing more than a 5k run then and only then will I not drone on about race. Whenever another ethnicity, religion or orientation demands a seat at America’s table, it means a white man has to get up and leave. That’s oppression! White people have been the only source of decision-making and power for too long.
Has racism been removed from America, Connecticut or Bridgeport? It only went away in the eyes of Whites refusing to see race. As we know, turning one’s head doesn’t solve the problem. It just allows the trash of racism to pile up in the house until the stench becomes unbearable. Somebody has to say something or somebody needs to take out the trash. That’s Ron Mackey and my job and we’ll continue to keep the dialogue of race alive and well and we choose to do so in this forum, OIB. If that offends your white sensibilities, oh well Tom being white.