Two months from a Democratic mayoral primary and the campaign season’s in full swing. Mayoral candidate Mary-Jane Foster issued this news release today:
Two Bridgeport Titans Endorse Foster for Mayor
Two high profile and well-respected Bridgeport leaders have announced their support for Mary-Jane Foster in the upcoming Democratic primary for mayor today. State Senator Edwin Gomes and community activist Marilyn Moore have offered their full support to the Foster for Bridgeport team.
“The issues at stake in this election affect the basics that every family is struggling with,” Gomes stated. “Good education, creating jobs, and protecting working men and women. They’re not easy to tackle but you can do it when you have leaders whose values are similar to yours. Respect, honesty, playing fair… all those things matter and they all apply to Mary-Jane. She’s a hard worker and keeps her word. That’s the kind of person you want leading your city, especially through difficult times like these.”
Gomes has dedicated his life to fighting for the residents of Bridgeport. While working at Carpenter Steel, he became active in his local union, going on to serve in local and regional leadership positions with the United Steelworkers of America. He revived the Bridgeport Black Democratic Club and was elected as a vice president of the Connecticut AFL-CIO executive board. As a civil rights activist, he challenged the racial inequity of Bridgeport’s City Council districts and also helped pave the way for Connecticut’s open primary system. As a member of Bridgeport’s School Building committee, Gomes was a vocal proponent of new school construction, which had not occurred in Bridgeport in nearly a quarter century. His efforts helped to ensure the building of five new schools in recent years. Mr. Gomes served 12 years as a City Council member and has been a State Senator since 2005.
Moore is a political force in her own right. She has championed women’s health issues and fought for civil rights for more than 30 years and currently serves as the executive director of The Witness Project. In 2008, Moore challenged State Senator Anthony Musto and came within striking distance. Moore briefly joined the campaign of John Gomes for mayor with the intent of organizing the campaign and garnering more support for Gomes but recognized the alliance was not a good fit as her vision for Bridgeport was more in alignment with Foster’s. She wants to support a candidate who will listen to the people and bridge community and business so everyone benefits. Ms. Moore believes Foster is the candidate who can best accomplish that challenge.
“Mary-Jane brings the business and community experience that we will need to make progress in Bridgeport. She has demonstrated to me that she can work across all segments of the community and she understands the issues that hinder progress in Bridgeport; not just for business but for the people who live here. For 20 years she has been here fighting for victims of domestic violence, providing financial literacy to young people, and working to prevent homelessness,” explained Moore. “It is time for a strong woman to take the reins, shake things up, and get the city moving again. We cannot afford another four years of missed opportunities, broken promises, and backroom deals that undermine the will of the good people of this city.”
Foster, who has long respected the decades of public service and community activism that both Gomes and Moore have devoted to Bridgeport, saying, “I am thrilled to have two leaders of the African American community rallying my candidacy for mayor. I have had the great privilege of working with both Ed and Marilyn over the years on many important social and economic justice issues. Together I know we can mobilize and empower residents throughout Bridgeport to send a strong message to this administration that enough is enough. It is time for fresh leadership that will build a Bridgeport that works for everyone.”
