Will former Mayor Joe Ganim try to reclaim the job he had from November 1991 to April 2003? When I talk to city political operatives they say there’s a pretty good buzz out there for Joe.
And then there’s former State Senator Ernie Newton, the Moses of his peeps, who’s back in the political action exalting his comeback. For Ernie it’s not a question if he’ll run for something but for what office. There’s two options for Ernie, run for mayor this year or sit it out and next year try to reclaim his former State Senate seat occupied by Ed Gomes. That may depend on what Joe does. If he runs for mayor Ernie is likely to support him.
Joe and Ernie spent some time together in the joint and appears they’re both on a mission of redemption. No doubt both bring baggage. But no doubt in some neighborhoods they’re still popular. They were feeling the love from voters on the day of last week’s special election campaigning for victorious Charlie Stallworth, who replaced Chris Caruso in the state legislature, at Wilbur Cross School.
Will Joe run? If he gets family clearance my guess is he runs. Joe always thought of Bill Finch as a lightweight and most Democratic voters feel the city’s headed in the wrong direction. That doesn’t mean Finch cannot win reelection. He’ll be well financed to make his case. A lot depends on how the next few months play out. The larger question for Ganim: does the nostalgia for Joe outweigh the baggage? Also, how will Joe address the past? He has carved out a strategy that he did nothing wrong and is likely not to move far from that mantra. Voters will want to hear some contrition, something like I made some bad decisions but they didn’t rise to the level of what I was accused. If Joe can negotiate that he’ll contrast how he governed versus how Finch has governed and who voters prefer. Sure, Finch will drum up the past, but Joe, a stronger politician than Finch, will contrast his years of balanced budgets, tax cuts, and development record against Finch.
Finch’s battle cry for more than three years has been “Together we are making Bridgeport the cleanest, greenest, safest, most affordable city with schools and neighborhoods that improve each year.” Really? Now that is some declaration from the 2007 mayoral candidate who promised a $600 tax cut knowing full well he could not deliver it. Finch attached himself to a government slogan without a government track record of success. So, tell me do ya think the city under Finch is cleaner? Safe? Affordable? Schools and neighborhoods improved?
Now, hold on one minute. Two others potential challengers, one an announced candidate and the other in the exploratory stage, can provide alternative messages to Finch and Ganim.” We know what we had in the past and we know what we have now.” Most electors tend to vote on the future. How will you make my future better? John Gomes, who had served as Finch’s deputy chief administrative officer and Mary-Jane Foster, co-founder of the Bridgeport Bluefish and an executive at the University of Bridgeport, will work in earnest to capture the voter sentiment that wants to turn the page from the Ganim past and Finch present. But to capture voter interest they must have enough money to make their case.
So, what will Joe do if he runs? Run in a Democratic primary or take his case straight to a general election as an independent? Stay tuned.
Joe has my vote!
It’s funny how all of people see one negative aspect and judge two men who dedicated their lives to ensuring that bpt had a voice in state legal matters. I’m sure there are things in life we all regret as does Joe and Ernie. But truth be told say what you want but it’s a fact that if either of them run it’s a no brainer. Why might you ask? Because they are only human we all make mistakes. U show me someone who has been perfect their whole life and I’ll show you a real liar. All I can say is ERNIE bpt needs you again. Someone with a voice to to ensure bpt get heard. All we have now are paper pushers no real action.
JOE,
YOU HAVE MY VOTE, RUN
Ernie, Please do your constituents a favor as well as the entire City of Bridgeport. Move on to a better life. You came you saw and you failed. You failed your neighborhood by bringing a lack of Money to improve the quality of life for the east end. Your image has been tarnished and although everyone deserves a second chance they do not deserve to be a steward of the people again. Most convicted individuals can’t get a job stocking shelves at a supermarket and you want to be responsible again for failing the City. You and Joe Ganim need to sit back and realize that you did get a second chance. Do we really all need to relieve your criminal activies over and over again ?
Have respect for other leaders that can bring Money and prosperity to the East end. You have been theer for so long and you acomplishments have been minimal. The respect in Hartford would not be there and you need to follow a new path. Good luck to you and your family. Time to move into the private sector and not into any public service job where you will again be tempted to fail your people.
Steven Auerbach
It is unfathomable that convicted fellons could legally run for public office.
It is even more unbelievable that people are dumb enough to vote for these CONVICTED CRIMINALS!,
Don’t you just hate what these bloodsuckers have done to our great city?
Ganim and Newton. Sorry been there. Done that. Let us move on people and vote for real change and a new vision.
He looked GREAT in an orange jumpsuit….
THANKS STELLA MY SIZES IN SUITS ARE 36REG.
If the good voters of Bridgeport decide Mr. Newton should run again, I hope he updates his wardrobe. Those zoot suits are outdated!!
Vigilante we,ll see for all that fell i should not run a lot of prople feel i should so let,s let the VOTERS DECIDED!!!!!!! ILL BE BACK>
Ernie you’re an illiterate and an egotistical fool. You didn’t learn from your incarceration. You don’t understand the extent of the damage you have done to Bridgeport. Go away. You’re a pariah and an example of what’s wrong with Bridgeport. I don’t hate you, the people of Bridgeport should. I pity you and those who feel that your should represent them.
The city needs some good direction, heart, integrity and oh, jobs too.
Hey, I am impartial to the whole matter and all I said was Mr. Newton was right he can run if he so shall choose but if you don’t like it please get out there and vote a lot people feel the same way you do but you don’t have to start name-calling that’s not fair and not right… I mean grow up.
I never said I was voting for him but I respect the man, Like I said the voters shall decide and besides all of that no one is perfect the man did pay his debt to society and people need to get out and vote if they want their voice to be heard, my vote is for Foster hopefully she runs…
Newton or Ganim back in office? You gotta be kiddin’…these guys used their positions for personal gain.Betrayed the public that elected them.They need to go away,and give someone honest a chance
Ya know some people out there come across like they NEVER made a mistake….I BELIEVE IN SECOND CHANCES….LORD knows i got one myself…..HEY ERNIE you damn right my brother…let the VOTERS speak….OH an ERNIE i know that you were or still are friends with FINCH…..WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE….however if i were you i would put distance between yourself and THE GRINCH….just a thought man?
I believe when a person has paid his debt back to socity He or She should be free to move back.Because they have paid for there mistakes.again we will let the voters make that decision.
We don’t hate you Ernie.We just want something better for our city,than what we’ve been getting for the past 20 years.We want somebody honest,decent and trustworthy to vote for.Someone who cares more about public service than greed,and lining their own pockets.I would never vote for anyone that was convicted of corruption.
I”LL BE BACK and the voters will speak. MY HATERS ARE MY MOTIVATORS,so Hammond & Vigilante thanks for all the kind words of support. Like i said before NO ONE WILL EVER TELL ME WHAT I CAN AND CAN”T DO. THAT SLAVE MENTALITY IS OVER.
Yeah,sadinbpt,everyone in CT was laughing at us(Bpt) for 20 yrs.Newton’s mangling of the english language,and his outlandish attire “ala HUGGY BEAR of Starsky & Hutch”-kept ‘em rolling in the aisles in Hartford.Jail hasn’t taught him any humility,apparently.The gigantic ego is still there.And I trust him as far as I can throw a dump truck……
I see that Newton refers to the voters of Bridgeport as “the common people”. When did he get raised above them? Ernie…it’s time for you to go into that goodnight and allow someone who is honest and respectable to represent the people of Bridgeport.
“Mel B. thanks im in the streets every day talking to the common person. and all they asks is when are you and Joe coming back!”
Really? I mean REALLY? This is the writing of our Bridgeport representative? Shameful – Bridgeport continues to be the laughing stock of Connecticut.
Hammond Egger that goes for you too!
LAST WEEK ON WICC “TALK OF THE TOWN” WAS ASKED SHOULD GANMIN AND NEWTON RUN FOR OFFICE AGAIN: 70 PERCENT OF THE CALLINS SAID YES WE SHOULD:so Vigilante its the VOTERS OF THE CITY OF BRIDGEPORT. That will make that decision!
Vigilante is right on target.The stupidity and ignorance of the public is limitless.Ernie Newton embarrassed our city for 20 yrs,yet the fools here kept re-electing him.Same with Ganim.Everyone fondly remembers the pretty flowers,but noone remembers we had a mill rate in the mid 60s,no development (thanks to “pay for play system”),high crime,and murder rates,etc.We need an outsider-a fresh voice-not a convicted criminal to lead our city.Ms Foster sounds like a great choice
Just shows you how stupid people are…Ernie and Joe violated the public trust. Why would you allow the foxes back into the henhouse? As the old adage goes…”if you don’t learn from the past you are doomed to repeat it”
Mel B. thanks im in the streets every day talking to the common person. and all they asks is when are you and Joe coming back!
Oh, the voters shall decide if there are enough ballots in place.
Lol @ “not a chance” by Lennie but Mr. Newton does have a point it’s up to him whether he will run or not… It is America, land of the free but Voters definately have a say, blessings to all and The voters shall decide.
Not a chance!!!
Is there any chance that the three Amigo’s (Joe, Lenny, and Paulie,)will get back to gether for the Joe Ganim’s come back Campaign?
Jen. thats your opinion:
America with a capital “A”. Such a disgrace.
You may not like it. But the voters will show you that Joe and I still have a lot of Support in Our city. This is still america.I will never let anyone tell me what i can and can”t do. i”ll see you all on election day!
Joe & Ernie, together?
It makes perfect sense.
Here’s why:
Baggage loves company. Their complimentary tone works and brings acceptance.
Jasper McLevy must be rolling in his grave.
It’s bad enough we have to put up the current mayor who IS a lightweight and has no clue how to either generate legitimate revenue or control government spending. Do we have to re-instate 2 convicted corrupt politicians who stole from the public coffers for their own gain?
If Joe Ganim talks about his balanced budget or safe streets he’s in La-La Land. He governed with his hand out just like Ernie Newton. And, Lennie, will you stop referring to Newton as the “Moses of his Peeps”? It’s embarrassing and misleading. He’s a con artist and a corrupt thug who got caught, did his time, and a typical street smart manipulator. Shame on his supporters and the decent African-Americans he claims to represent for backing him solely on his race. There are plenty of substantive representatives in the African-American community of Bridgeport who aren’t corrupt and who haven’t violated the public trust like either Newton or Ganim. I believe that they are reluctant to come forward for fear of reprisals within their own community.
Two convicted corrupt officials…it is truly sad that they have the chutzpah to even run for office.And sadder still-the “mindless sheep” here in Bpt would vote them in
It’s shameful and embarrassing that either one of them would consider to take an oath of public trust. Bridgeport continues to be the laughing stock of Connecticut.
Tell them to Buzz Off!