When State Senator Marilyn Moore surprised on Wednesday, the final day of the state legislative session, she’ll not seek another term it was the shot heard around the world, except confined to Connecticut’s 22nd Assembly District with a battery of would-be candidates poised to run with the endorsement convention scheduled for Tuesday. Yes, Tuesday in advance of an August primary.
Talk about a compressed timeline to make your case.
Between now and then the most popular people on Planet 22, 59 delegates chosen by party insiders from three communities to settle on an endorsement or in lieu of that a wide open primary.
The district Moore represents is one of the most diverse in Connecticut, approximately one third of Bridgeport, all of Trumbull and a piece of Monroe.
Here’s a look at leading candidates vying to replace Moore based on insider intel.
Tyler Mack
Perhaps prescient of Moore’s decision, or tipped off, former City Councilman Tyler Mack recently relocated from the adjoining district into Black Rock, a key vote to bolster a candidate. Mack is unknown in the district but he has friends in the right places such as Senate Leader Marty Looney for whom he worked, and Congressman Jim Himes, his current boss. Those relationships open up doors for influence, money and wooing delegates.
Bill Finch:
Former Mayor Bill Finch brings three underlying things to the table: by far he’s the best known, two he held the seat for about seven years prior to becoming mayor and three he can claim the argument with Moore gone there’s a leadership vacuum in Hartford. I was there, I know leadership and there’s no learning curve. Finch has a policy-wonk mind more suited to legislation than chief executive. Be it state senate or mayor – Finch, like Moore in her pursuits, requires someone to put an operation together. If he has that and can raise the money he’ll be relevant. If not, it’s a tough haul.
Jeanette Herron:
City Councilwoman Jeanette Herron has long-served the North End with key membership on the Budget & Appropriations Committee. She’s also co-chair of the Contracts Committee. She is a board member of America’s largest advocacy group for local municipalities, the National League of Cities. She brings a base of support from the North End. How does she build upon that base and raise money?
Shantè Hanks
Shantè Hanks served as deputy commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Housing. She has a doctorate of education from the University of Bridgeport. She also worked for Congressman Jim Himes. Hanks has stared down tragedy as the survivor of a near-fatal car accident caused by a drunken driver that inspired a book Titanium Woman. As the book notes “Shantè went from a lively graduate coed to a comatose patient, lying in a hospital bed where doctors rebuilt her crushed pelvis, broken wrists, ankles and femur with titanium metal.” She’s been at the forefront of affordable housing initiatives and works closely with the homeless community. She says: “Nice to keep a woman’s voice in the State Senate.”
Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox:
A resident of Trumbull and member of the town’s Ethics Commission, she brings intriguing educational skills to the table, BA Cornell University and law degree from University of Pennsylvania. She’s Associate Professor of Legal Studies and Chair of the Justice and Law Department at Quinnipiac University. Three times she ran for State House against Republican incumbent David Rutigliano, twice running competitive races in a town quintessentially balanced. She’ll likely have majority support from Trumbull. If there’s a large field in Bridgeport, who knows.
How this works:
Delegates and candidates convene Tuesday in the first floor conference rooms of the Margaret Morton Government Center, 999 Broad Street Downtown. The meeting will be chaired by State Central Committee member Tom Gaudett, also Bridgeport’s chief administrative officer. Candidate names will be placed into nomination.
Fifty nine delegates will cast votes among those nominated, 30 required for the endorsement. If someone gets there just nine votes (15 percent) needed to wage a primary. For those that fall short another opportunity, though labor intensive, allows ballot access securing five percent validated signatures from Democrats residing in the district.
Open Primary?
Grin,
Surely you jest!! Perhaps OPEN SESAME repeated several times outside the Morton Center will be equally effective as your suggestion. Word from an “outsider” on the street this morning is Finch getting the Mario nod. What is the DTC looking for in a candidate? Isn’t that a question that needs an answer before endorsements replace speculation? Where are qualities sought and platforms indicated to follow? They seem anathema to some Town Committees? Urban, suburban, wealthy, middle, poor, homeowners and renters, and suburban Democrats used to Republican competition? Such wonderful diversity for an independent public serving candidate to aspire to? Time will tell.
Don’t move an inch and vote for Finch!
Lenny; you need to take a closer look at the connected with ambitions with Trumbull roots — who can double-dip with City jobs… And don’t forget some connected folks with $ and city/suburb appeal. This thing is wide open and could even result in a convention nostril-wrenching, shoving match…🙂🙃😉
Yes, indeed, Jeff when it comes to politics Bridgeport is the city that never disappoints.