Within the next several days, we’ll know the lineup of the September 12 Democratic primary for mayor and other offices. Meanwhile, call it Plan B, call it second bite of apple, call it a safety net, insurance policy.
Four Democrats, party-endorsed Mayor Joe Ganim, Lamond Daniels, Marilyn Moore and John Gomes are eyeing a backup plan for the general election if things don’t materialize in a presumed primary.
Local election officials are currently reviewing the petition sheets of Daniels, Moore and Gomes to determine if they have reached the five percent signature threshold, or roughly 2,100 Democratic voters, to qualify for the primary. As the endorsed candidate, Ganim is automatically on the ballot.
The primary winner becomes the Democratic standard bearer in the general election. But the victor will likely have company in November, beyond Republican David Herz.
If all goes according to plan, Ganim will appear on the Bridgeport New Movement Party line, Gomes on the Bridgeport Independent Party line, Daniels as a petitioning candidate while Moore, Gomes and Daniels await word on the Connecticut Working Families line endorsement.
Four years ago the WFP endorsed Moore, but the campaign botched the simple signature process required for ballot approval in November. The signature hunt to appear on a minority-party line, or as a petitioning candidate, for the general election is not nearly the laborious task required for the primary.
Political activist Tony Barr controls the endorsement of the New Movement Party. He says he had conversations with Gomes to appear on that line. Barr contends Gomes was more preoccupied with the Bridgeport Independent Party line and the clock was ticking to field a candidate in November, with Wednesday’s 4 p.m. deadline to issue petition sheets to election officials.
He says he thought about Moore and Daniels but was concerned they didn’t have the campaign apparatus to field November signatures while trying to qualify for a September primary.
Barr hasn’t always been a fan of the mayor. Four years ago he supported Moore for mayor.
“This is the business of politics,” Barr says. “We are a young party and it’s important for us to field a candidate for mayor for us to grow as a party. Gomes didn’t see the timing value so I went with the mayor.”
Meanwhile Wilfredo Martinez who controls the Bridgeport Independent Party line says Gomes will be his candidate.
So, no matter how the primary turns out, the general election will not be a complete dud.
“Political activist Tony Barr” controls “the endorsement process of the New Movement Party” informs us.
Where has Barr been since the last rodeo? Has he been sitting on his “party” trying to figure out its potential for Bridgeport progress, or not? Has he reported through social media, or other methods the values his party seeks and the democratic revisions potentially in order with a Charter change? What does New Movement Party stand for?
Who has Tony been listening to and what is his takeaway? Is Ganim happy to be able to sit on multiple openings on the November ticket? What is a better description of a status quo leader? Political practices are primary. Concerns of the people are secondary!!! Consider the death in plain sight of a real estate savvy Mayor neglecting to recruit, select, and appoint to current terms enough people to fill the FAIR Rent Commission and the FAIR Housing Commission in a City where more than 50% of residents are renters? Consider your Democratic vote to see how democratic it is? Time will tell.
Too bad the New Movement Party let the “business of politics” interfere with choosing their preferred candidate. Deadlines are made to be met — not squandered –. and endorsements are granted not negotiated.
Furthermore, I wonder how thrilled, excited and happy Mayor Ganim feels being the default candidate for a fringe party . If you’re not remarkable, you’re invisible. Has New Movement Party ever been on the ballot?
Bull Moose party has!
RUMOR MILL —
Mayor Ganim was seen doing cartwheels on the annex courtyard after receiving the New Movement Party endorsement. Now he can claim to be an activist progressive seeking to reach the lofty goals outlined in the NMP charter. It gives him something no other candidate has and includes another spot on the election day ballot.!
I was wrong — this one deadline New Movement Party should have missed.
My second bite of the apple was delicious in 2021, here’s to hoping J.G.’s second bite contains a WORM. Vote Gomes Sept 12 and in NOVEMBER.