If nothing else, this will be fun to watch. Rob Sullivan, editor of the Bridgeport Banner, says he will challenge State Rep. Auden Grogins, “The Blonde Banshee” from Black Rock in a Democratic primary.
Sullivan says he will file the formal paperwork in a few days, and Jim “Sonny” Fox, unsuccessful candidate for City Council last year, will serve as his candidate committee treasurer. Sully says he knows taking on Grogins is a tall challenge. She’s a hard worker who doesn’t take her constituents for granted. She won her seat in 2008 by upsetting State Rep. Bob Keeley, the longest serving legislator in city history. But Sullivan claims he’s received a lot of encouragement from voters unhappy with the party establishment and thinks it’s time to try to shake up the system.
As a news scribe Sully should have no problem rolling out issues. The 129th State Assembly District Grogins represents covers Black Rock, the West Side and portions of the West End and lower North End.
Sully says he expects to make a formal announcement next week. He will need to raise $5,000 in small donations to qualify for the state’s public financing program. It’s a labor-intensive task. Grogins has already raised enough dough to qualify for public financing. If Sully qualifies for the ballot a primary will take place Aug. 14.
Meanwhile Sully’s entrance into the race should give the boys at Matty’s Corner, owned by Grogins supporter and Black Rock District Leader Danny Roach, a few laughs. That’s not an easy bar crowd over there. Hey Danny, how about sponsoring a mud wrestling match between Sully and the Banshee?
As the Banshee would say, “Bring it on, Baby!”
Please … If there were a fight I wouldn’t pick … this would be the one.
Why, cc? You think they’ll ‘Rob’ the election?
Carol … right again. He might as well get a concession speech ready. Fight the fight you can win. This one ain’t it.
Banshee and bar in the same sentence, er yup.
Sully! Sully! Sully! Sully! Yes!
As long as he keeps his pants on, Sully ought to do alright …
Wow, Good Luck to you Rob!
Hey BPK!!! What’s shakin’?
You’d be good up there, Rob. Good Luck!
*** I’ll believe it when I see it happen, in the meantime, good luck Sully, wish you well! ***
Rob, I love ya man, but this is a bad decision. Of all the losers you could challenge, Auden is not one of them. She is well liked and well known in Black Rock and respected in the legislature. Actually, she’s one of the few Bpt reps we can be proud of. Why don’t you stay local, like try for a council seat?
Dear smoker,
I always respected your opinions but here we disagree. Sully is popular in BPT and a legend to all of the people who know and love him. He is incredibly knowledgeable on a wide range of topics, especially politics. I have seen him at many various meetings not as a reporter but concerned Bridgeporter.
smoker, I have learned more about politics from Rob than Ms. Grogins. As I think of it, tell me what she has actually done for us in her past term of office? All I know is she chairs the Judiciary committee in HTFD where she is feathering her nest for her ultimate goal of becoming a judge, for life.
I would prefer a blue collar scholar over a lawyer. Sully would never represent a mass murderer from Cheshire. GO SULLY, GO SULLY, GO SULLY, GO SULLY.
I’m sure Sully would rather have “a mass murderer from Cheshire” get competent representation rather than walk free because he didn’t. Try to at least impersonate someone who’s not an idiot.
Ray,
Please take off your blinders!!! Audin, aka The Cheshire Cat is already incompetent counsel. The Mass Murderer would have been better off using the law firm of Dewey, Fukem and Howe. Booty, be careful using insults, from 1 impersonator to another.
Ronin,
Let me be perfectly clear about my opinion, and the insult.
In my not so humble opinion, anyone who believes a lawyer who represents a mass murderer or any other unsavory client is somehow a bad person for the mere fact of doing so is a complete idiot, and further owes an apology to every public defender. This also goes for anyone who may not personally hold this opinion, but tries to sway others with this reasoning. This tells me the person holding this attitude has no respect for our system of law. I want my mass murderers like I like my KFC, extra crispy, and not win appeals because the only representation they could get was incompetent.
If you or anyone else wants to ding Auden on her record, or malign her motives or abilities, feel free. But don’t ding her because she represented a mass murderer. I congratulate her on that and so should you, as he got adequate representation, was found guilty, and has no grounds for appeal.
So Ronin, you tell me. Do I think you’re one of those complete idiots on this matter? If the shoe doesn’t fit, I apologize for implying it did.
Ronin, that Hard Booty Slapping must hurt more than an OIBitchslapping.
That scream, “Why Me!” you just heard was the Blonde Banshee!
Sully and Sonny are kind of like Tom Kean and New Jersey. Perfect Together!
Why would anyone with a “running to shake things up” platform deserve votes over a lady who takes her office seriously and works hard on behalf of her district. It sounds more like “bar talk” after a few beers and it’s sad it makes a mockery of the whole process.
Hey! ReallyFrustratedBptDemocrat.
Sully is also a ReallyFrustratedBptDemocrat.
So what’s your point?
Indeed it is a mockery of the process. If that’s the basis of his platform, he’s finished before he starts. Auden is a savvy lady who is beyond a doubt the rose among the thorns in the Bridgeport delegation. She’s dedicated to her constituents and well respected. “Bar talk” just about sums up the candidacy of her opponent.
I’ll see you at Matty’s for a cold one!
Public financing creates a level playing field. If Sully qualifies. he and Auden have the exact same amount to spend on the campaign.
What exactly is Auden’s platform?
She can say she helped get $1 million for the East Side Train Station. And Sully will say it is wasted money aimed at helping DiNardo out. That ought to go over big in Black Rock and the Brooklawn area.
She can say she introduced legislation to cap local property taxes and Sully will say the legislation is always DOA and will never pass.
Will she go as far as to say she is working with the new Education Commissioner on improving schools? Sully will say she claimed to improve schools on the City Council, on the Board of Education and now as State Rep and the bottom line is education in Bridgeport is as bad as it has ever been.
Sully has a chance. MOM.
Will Audie tell everyone she is endorsed by Bill Finch when taxes go up?
Will Sully tell the voters she represented one of the Cheshire Killers???
Come on, Rip. One valid reason to appeal a conviction is “inadequate representation.” People have won new trials and had verdicts set aside because they had inadequate representation.
This attitude supports letting killers go free because no good lawyer will represent them. I sincerely hope you aren’t stupid enough to hold this attitude.
You present a very “Appealing” argument.
Funny thing is many people were shocked at this need when it was reported by CBS Radio the day after the ’08 primary.
Auden is a very hard worker.
Will Snooky be his campaign manager?
Will Sully be endorsed by Mario? Everything has to go through Madison Ave! This is Bridgeport don’t forget. You don’t kiss the ring, you don’t get shit. You have to go through Madison Ave to be a Player!
Anyone hear the Finchster named a new health director, a white woman from Monroe? Now that the election is over we can go back to business as usual and don’t have to worry about appeasing those irritating minorities who actually want a piece of the pie.
Guess this means Kristin will stay out on “medical leave,” wink wink.
Booty, that was an excellent and informative post, no need to expound on it. The law states no matter how heinous the crime, the alleged perpetrator is entitled to fair and equal legal representation. Don’t hate the player–hate the game. If that’s the only thing one can find fault with Auden on, they have no case.
Auden Grogins took “Grass Roots” to an elite level when she beat Bob Keely. Speaking only from my own experiences, I can say she gets personal. She keeps track of taxpayers in her districts, takes copious notes, and she even remembered my dogs. I have gotten more than one call from Auden personally, and she is the only rep I have ever known to do that whom I did not know personally. I know she is considered to be a “cog” in the machine mechanism but my personal opinion is there are much stinkier fish to fry. Now that being said, good luck to Rob, as you are undertaking a tough battle as Auden has set the bar pretty high.
*** What are they smoking in Black Rock? ***
Speaking of State representation, can anyone name what the State has done for the Brooklawn or Black Rock area lately? Does anyone know what the status of the Brooklawn Avenue esplanade is? I heard when Keeley was still in office the esplanades were scheduled for replacement. Now I hear Fairfield State Rep Kim Faucett secured money to do the Fairfield area and the Bridgeport area has lost its funding. Those esplanades look beautiful up by Brooklawn Country Club but the section near North Avenue has remained dilapidated. What happened?
That is a good question, Bridgeporteur. I live in the country club section of Brooklawn, so it looks great as far as they eye can see on Brooklawn Ave. We reaped the benefit of Fairfield being able to put money into the esplanades for sure, but I have been told (first hand) there was at least one BEPO DTC member from this district who claims to have been an integral part of moving the project along in conjunction with Fairfield, I guess. I don’t know where the funding stands for the BPT end of Brooklawn Ave near North but it would be nice if they could pave here as well. I should check it out, though. Who knows what kind of finger pointing would go on between Auden and Bob if asked directly, “Who dropped the ball?” That being said, Rob better get ready to get some grass stains on his shoes and take notes when he campaigns because Auden really knows her stuff when it comes to winning people over.
Hey Peoples,
Sully will bring home the bacon for Brooklawn & Black Rock. Keeley started this Gateway Project and Grogins dropped the ball. Again! She talks a good game, no?
Last June post by Joe:
Hey Joe, do you feel the same way now?