Ex-Rep. Caruso backing Sen. Gomes’ re-election bid

Ex-State Rep. Chris Caruso, D-Bridgeport, is backing state Sen. Ed Gomes, D-Bridgeport, in the latter’s fight for his seat.

Gomes lost the local party’s endorsement to his predecessor, Ernest Newton II. Gomes and state Rep. Andres Ayala earned enough support to face Newton in a primary in August.

Caruso, who retired from the legislature last year to accept a job offer in Democratic Gov. Dannel Malloy’s new administration, told me this evening Gomes is his man.

“I haven’t endorsed anyone formally or otherwise. I have talked to Ed Gomes and told Ed if he runs I would support him,” Caruso said.

Caruso’s choice puts him at further odds with Mayor Bill Finch, who is supporting Ayala over Gomes and over Newton.

Caruso and Finch faced off in a mayoral primary a few years back and Finch prevailed.

During the 2010 gubernatorial race, Caruso endorsed Malloy while Finch and the rest of Bridgeport’s Democratic leadership sided with Ned Lamont of Greenwich.

Brian Lockhart