STRATFORD — Hundreds of supporters and donors filled the banquet hall at Vazzy’s Four Seasons to support former Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim. He announced his intentions to consider a run for the city’s highest office earlier this month.
Ganim announced on Thursday that he’s forming an exploratory committee to run for mayor on the “Chaz and AJ in the Morning” radio show on 99.1 WPLR (New Haven), 1029 the Whale (Hartford) and 95.9 the Fox (Fairfield County). However, he says this is just a formal step and that he’s been going door to door for months to see what type of interest the community has in him running the city again.
On March 19, 2003, Ganim’s nearly 12-year run as Bridgeport mayor came to a crashing halt. A federal jury convicted him of racketeering, extortion, bribery and mail fraud, among other felonies, for his role in a six-year scheme to shake down city contractors for more than $500,000 in cash, meals, clothing, wine and home renovations.
“The mistakes were made and I’ve acknowledge that and apologized for those and I’ve asked people in this process, everyone, is certainly, in my view anyways, entitled to a second chance,” said Ganim.
Ganim criticized Mayor Bill Finch on his record of leadership, economic development, schools and taxes, and says he feels that better leadership is needed in the city.
Brett Broesder, spokesperson for Mayor Bill Finch, sent a statement in response:
Joe Ganim is the poster child of corruption and only out for himself. Here are the facts: He ran a pay-to-play scheme out of the mayor’s office where he stole millions from Bridgeport taxpayers. He mismanaged the city’s finances by betting big on the stock market, costing taxpayers half of a $350 million investment. He was convicted on 16 counts of corruption – due to what federal prosecutors referred to as an astonishing story of greed where over two years, he collected more money in pricey meals, rare wine, and hand tailored clothing than most Bridgeporters earn – and while in prison, he started a company helping the worst-of-the-worst white collar criminals shave time off of their prison sentences. After serving time, he worked as a paralegal at a law firm where his highest profile case was defending a white supremacist linked to the Ku Klux Klan.
On the other hand, Mayor Finch is making smart investments in the future that benefit all hardworking Bridgeporters. He reopened Pleasure Beach after years of neglect. He’s gotten construction moving at the Steelpointe Harbor waterfront development after decades of broken promises. He’s improving downtown through job creation and transit-oriented development. He’s investing in clean energy so our kids breathe cleaner air. He’s leading Bridgeport to becoming the first city in the state to achieve universal pre-k. He’s ensuring kids learn in the right environment by building new, and renovating existing, schools. And, he’s holding the line on taxes while making prudent financial decisions as the city’s chief executive.
Bridgeport is moving toward a better future under Mayor Finch’s leadership. He’s got the city heading in the right direction.
Ganim says the ultimate test of trust will come from voters. “This election will be about the future,” he said. “Some will make it about the past. The past is there for reflection. It’ll be the voters decision, I hope, and as I feel with anyone with an individual or an entire community, we should be given the opportunity for a second chance.”
