On paper Mayor Joe Ganim shows roughly $85,000 on hand to primary opponent John Gomes’ $2,350, at the close of the latest quarter reporting period ending Dec. 31. That is not the complete reflection of the respective campaigns financial picture as both conducted fundraisers this month, after the close of the quarter, in advance of the January 23 Democratic primary redo.
See Gomes full report: John Gomes Form 20 Jan 10th 2024
See Ganim full report: Ganim 23 Jan 10th 2024
Overall Ganim has raised approximately $650,000 to Gomes $409,000. Gomes has also benefited financially from two political action committee expenditures.
Both campaigns are feeling financially cramped in this extended election cycle four months after the first primary won by Ganim by 251 votes, an outcome invalidated by a state judge because of the absentee ballot controversy.
The campaigns are also relying heavily on volunteers to maximize priority spending on mail pieces, social media and election day planning.
A cursory look at Gomes report shows notable $250 donations from leaders of Bridgeport Generation Now Votes, Niels and Callie Heilmann, another action committee that wants mayoral leadership change. Both are ardent supporters of State Senator Marilyn Moore who failed to petition onto the primary ballot. They have the financial firepower to weigh in heavily in the final days, but will they beyond token donations and independent-expenditure texts messages to Democratic electors? They are not enamored with Gomes as his inner circle is populated with Ganim outcasts. Still, this is something to watch with Gomes treasury so thin.
Gomes summary page:
Ganim summary page:
Does money matter when the incumbent can post on the City site anytime he wishes and social media connections among community members at large exist for more folks presently than go out to vote in either the January Democratic primary or the actual election in February? Likely not when there is discussion about a proposal to hold a public conversation with minimal, if any expense to the campaigns.
If Gomes supports such a conversation with questions from a public present for the event, and time limited responses from each candidate, does the public get an opportunity to hear the bottom line from each candidate about principles, policy, values, and issues? Is Joe Ganim holding up the discussion with a desire to only speak to a camera, and then on tape? Does he require this restricted or limited delivery from fear of virus infection, or desire to limit the opposition any opportunity to hold a meeting? Yet he is using the power of his “pulpit” to appear at Fair Rent Commission resurrection (that he most recently has held up for eight years by failure to appoint candidates to the group), to again appear at a last minute downtown district meeting for Police Chief Porter to address tenant issues (without informing directly business leaders like Kelvin Ayala, or the two City Council members, and others) or to show up on January 2, for the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance assembly celebrating the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 where again he spoke. And afterwards requested how he can join the Greater Bridgeport NAACP organization where I serve the membership (and those who do not currently belong in seeking justice for their issues).
Joe, asked again on last Saturday for an application. I will bring one to his office this afternoon. It is not complicated. At $30 per year, it is not an expensive investment either. Time will tell.
Lennie, don’t forget about Big Daddy Money, “unrig”, 20000 shades of ballots, Holier-than-thou, Gen Now, who threw Moore under the bus 🚌 to be in the tank for Gomes/Ricci.
Then ever shot a video of the infamous drop box. 🤣
https://www.facebook.com/BPTGenNow/videos/671014454535758
Now 20,000 shades of ballots is on TV telling people to vote in person. 🤣
https://www.facebook.com/BPTGenNow/videos/1675583662850819