Following two close contests and likely another on January 23, Mayor Joe Ganim and opponent John Gomes are utilizing the power of persuasion and power of the pulpit to wedge an advantage during the winter vote.
Both feature visits to places of worship on their respective Facebook pages, some led by ministers who have been active in city politics for years and hold elected positions. It seems that both candidates have stepped up visits and appearances with faith leaders to build support among congregations.
Church going people tend to be community engaged among a Democratic electorate largely uninspired by the candidacies reflected in poor voter turnout.
Neither camp, try as they may leveraging a combined $1 million dollars to reach voters, has found so far the coda for a convincing win. Both missed their turnout goals by large margins in the first primary, Ganim’s 251-vote win invalidated by a state court judge over absentee ballot irregularities.
Ganim and Gomes are both energizers on the campaign trail like a controlled frenzy battle of attrition attending numerous events each day. Gomes has campaigned full time for more than a year, Ganim doing his thing while juggling duties as chief executive.
Pooped after a long day of campaigning the race to motivation fueled by access to voters here, there and everywhere to manufacture a little edge
It would not surprise that campaign handlers bellow “Where’s the candidate?”
“I don’t know, it’s hard to keep up with him.”
Okay, put out the APB – All Points Bridgeport.
Check out every outhouse, henhouse, warehouse, doghouse and CHURCH HOUSE in the city.
Speaking in Tongues!
Laying on the hands!!
Can I get a Witness!!!
Preying for Mayoral Votes
Prayer is powerful. Always and ever, perhaps with outcomes not desired, though indicating notice from a Higher Power.
Churches do not vote, do they? And diversity of the paths followed by faithful people likely leads to multiple houses of worship. But people of faith, exposed to quality democratic practices, tend to settle on truth-tellers with their trust. They may even provide them with a second chance to set things right finally, with humility and remorse. But perhaps not in the case of municipal corruption, I have been told.
What might help get more eligible and registered voters informed and inspired to vote in the Democratic primary, January 23, assuming they are one voter among over 40,000 in the City, and to vote again on February 27 to finalize the task? How about three conversations at the Klein or other large venue with Ganim and Gomes making five minute statements to open and to close a 150 minute program? Each of three nights can focus on one or two subjects, only, and all specific questions will come from the audience who have prepared no more than three sentence contextual statements for a brief question. Subjects may include public safety, Ethics in governance, education prospects, housing for residents, economic development, finances and the Charter, among others.
Simple, cost-effective, and the court system/investigation of past balloting can work on simultaneously. Where are the appointed and elected leaders of the City gathering to lead the way to civic information, public learning, and development of trust to overcome the prevailing moods of disrespect for civil rights and responsibilities, hard fought in the past, and nearly forgotten today? Time will tell.
John’s prayer is powerful, but not as powerful or cost-effective as waiting for time to tell. BAM! 🙃
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsUW8JcnzZs
While churches don’t vote their praying perishers do- ish 🙂
In Port’s case, the Holy Ghost votes by absentee ballot.
P.S. I am sure time with tell what you have been told, and perhaps the diversity of the paths followed by faithful people likely leads to multiple houses of worship, but you got like when the Holy Ghost is within. 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/mA8b4FguIPY