Former State Senator Ernie Newton has filed the paperwork with the state in an effort to regain his old seat currently occupied by Ed Gomes who won Connecticut’s 23rd Senate District in 2005 after Newton was forced to resign following corruption charges. Newton will make a formal announcement next Saturday on Stratford Avenue. A Democratic primary would take place in August.
This sets up a rematch between the two. Newton defeated Gomes in a close 2003 special election following the death of Alvin Penn. Gomes is on the mend back home following some health issues that forced him into the hospital last September. Gomes, a retired steelworker, is popular among labor coalitions that matter in primaries. More on Gomes here.
Newton versus Gomes makes for an intriguing contest others could enter. Both Newton and Gomes supported Mary-Jane Foster in the hard-fought Democratic primary won by Mayor Bill Finch. Will a candidate supportive of the mayor jump in? One name floating out there is State Rep. Andres Ayala, who chairs the city’s legislative delegation in Hartford. Ayala, who represents the East Side, served as City Council president during John Fabrizi’s years as mayor. But many Finch loyalists are not happy with Ayala who they claim sat on his hands during the primary. State Rep. Don Clemons, a Finch supporter from the East End, is also another name mentioned.
Newton and Gomes bring geographic bases to the table: Newton the East End and Gomes portions of the North End including Whiskey Hill. Gomes’ district was altered by the recent state-mandated redistricting without input from Gomes.
State Senator Anthony Musto represents Trumbull and portions of Monroe and Bridgeport. His 22nd State Senate District has picked up Gomes’ backyard voting base in the Wilbur Cross voting precinct including the Trumbull Gardens housing project. The reshuffling of the 1700 or so Bridgeport residents into Musto’s district makes the 22nd District more Democratic. Gomes’ district is already so overwhelming Democratic it’s doubtful a Republican will ever again occupy the seat. Musto also lost a portion of Republican-leaning Monroe. Musto represents the district Bill Finch occupied for seven years before becoming mayor. But those voters shifted, electors who have cast votes for Gomes for years, would make a difference in a close August primary. Connecticut’s 23rd State Senate District covers a majority of the city and a small portion of Stratford.
Leveraging a battle cry “all saints have a past and all sinners a future” Newton has raised his profile in recent months including organizing a community rally and march of hundreds of people from the East End to the City Hall Annex following the shooting death of 14-year-old Justin Thompson.
Newton says his campaign focus will be job creation, more youth activities and increasing weekend hours at the Ralphola Taylor Community Center. “We must engage in a discussion of community involvement and doing it ourselves,” Newton says.
Newton’s formal announcement is scheduled for Saturday at 1234 Stratford Avenue, the location of a U.S. Post Office that was closed in recent cutbacks by the federal agency.
It will be interesting to see who is the endorsed candidate. Since Ed Gomes was endorsed by the DTC to replace Newton and won election challenged by Don Clemons, it is assumed he (Gomes) will be the endorsed candidate.
To the voters in this district,
PLEASE REMEMBER … ERNIE NEWTON VIOLATED THE PUBLIC TRUST AS YOUR ELECTED OFFICIAL.
Yes, he paid for it by going to jail and being fined, but he abrogated his right to be your representative by his illegal actions. A second chance, NOT IN THIS CASE, or any like it. Do community work, get a real job, but not in an elected position.
I have known Ed Gomes for 50 years, we worked together at Carpenter Steel. Ed is a good guy.
I also know Ernie Newton and I like him also. I know Don Clemons and I don’t like him.
Here is the problem I have. Neither Ernie nor Ed have ever done anything for the upper East Side treeland area. We still have major flooding problems with many of the problems being caused by water runoff from Rt 8 connector.
The fact of the matter is the treeland area is the bastard child of Bridgeport. We have no NRZ, no library, nobody on boards and commissions and we have 2 council people so entrenched up here they don’t give a shit because the dumbasses up here keep voting for them. I do believe this is one primary I will sit out.
By sitting out, unfortunately, you’ll give Newton the edge. Agreed, none of the three mentioned individuals have done anything for the betterment of Bridgeport. Where is Marilyn Moore?
Marilyn Moore is at the rehab center visiting her old friend Ed Gomes. Has anyone else been up there or are they too busy plotting to steal his seat? Doesn’t anyone have a conscience anymore?
Old friend? Ed Gomes is Marilyn Moore’s cousin! I wouldn’t be surprised if Ed Gomes decides not to run and back Moore. Is Moore’s current address in the district? Even if she’s not, she can run and move in if she wins or do what some current elected officials are doing–living out of their district. You think their conscience is affected? I’m holding Ed Gomes to the statement he made when I asked him how long he intended to hold on to the seat. “How long do I have to live?” was his response.
At the risk of defending recent (and not so recent) Senators, the Treeland neighborhood where we both live hasn’t been part of the 23rd District for the last 30 years (since the election of 1982).
Didn’t Marilyn Moore make noise last time about running a primary against Musto? Unless she moved or the border has shifted, she wouldn’t be a factor in the Gomes-Newton battle.
The border between the 22nd and 23rd districts changed substantially as a result of redistricting. It’s unclear who the change helps/hurts the most.
If you ask John Gomes, he’s thinking about that seat also.
To Bridgeport Girl,
I heard most of the names mentioned here, and some other rumored candidates, were up to see the good Senator while he was convalescing.
But if you ask me they were checking how bad he was doing and not how well.
Some other names I have heard mentioned are Warren Blunt, as if he cannot get enough of the political trough.
Americo Santiago, as in once this election is over with I’m moving back to Puerto Rico so I’m not looking for a job.
Carlos Silva. And if there are enough minority candidates maybe Charlie Coviello or Bob Keeley.
*** In Zombieland politics, “expect the unexpected!” ***
Let me make it official.
Ernest Newton does not deserve to be re-elected to public office. He forfeited that opportunity when he robbed the very people he swore to serve.
Furthermore even on his best day in office Newton was unqualified, undeserving and completely unsuited to serve.
He is a disgrace to this community and should not be taken seriously.
Yes, Ernest. Sinners do have futures. That future does not include being restored to the office you so shabbily disgraced.
Ernie Newton should wait to see what Senator Gomes’ plans are for running or not running. The only way Clemons got a seat is if someone died.
Whatever qualifications Ernie Newton might bring to the Senate, the worst thing Bridgeport could do is elect a convicted felon, let alone one convicted of official corruption, to ANY public office. For many that would confirm their image of Bridgeport as a backwater where cash and connections rule.