BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Bridgeport voters prepare to head back to polls for the 4th time in six months. A do-over election for mayor is set for February 28th. Along the way, there have been accusations of ballot fraud, corruption, and overturned elections, but still no arrests.
“The other campaign stands for clearly what the past is about,” remarked Mayor Joe Ganim. “This is the only campaign that has remained consistent with integrity,” replied John Gomes.
With less than two weeks until a fourth and likely final election for Bridgeport Mayor, it’s getting messy in Park City.
Ganim and Gomes supporters were caught in an on-camera clash outside a senior housing complex recently. It resulted in assault charges being levied against Ganim supporter Jazmin Cooper. Cooper is also the daughter of accused ballot fraudster and City Councilwoman Eneida Martinez.
“My supporters have the right to go anywhere in Bridgeport and talk to registered voters,” said Gomes. “Certain people feel territorial.”
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Mayoral candidate John Gomes is trying to stay afloat amid a barrage of recent bad news. Petitioning candidate Lamond Daniels who got nearly 2,000 votes in the November election threw his support behind the incumbent, Mayor Joe Ganim.
“I’m eager to form a partnership with him and his administration and we will hold them accountable,” said Daniels at the recent endorsement announcement.
Ganim got another endorsement from Republican David Herz, who’s still on the ballot.
“My preference was always Mr. Ganim over Mr. Gomes anyway. It’s the devil I know,” he remarked.
Gomes accused both men of selling out.
“A candidate who ran on transparency, a new start, and ending corruption. Then you get back in bed with those causing the corruption. There’s rumor in the streets that he compromised himself for a job,” said Gomes.
Mayor Ganim is looking for a new Chief Operating Officer and didn’t rule out the possibility of Daniels joining his team.
“He’s well qualified for any position in the public sector and I’m sure in the private sector,” said Ganim.
Gomes recently visited the state capitol where he urged Gov. Lamont to support election security.
“We asked for a meeting. He said he’s up to it. We’ve proposed but we haven’t received anything,” said Gomes.
But the Ganim campaign has accused Gomes of turning the trip into a coordinated photo op to fake an endorsement.
“The Governor was frankly ambushed at the state capitol…and then used as a cheap shot which I think was unfair to him,” said Ganim.
“That has nothing to do with this campaign. That was a supporter using sarcasm,” responded Gomes.
All this as the powerful Chairman of the Bridgeport Democratic town committee, Mario Testa, has called on state party leaders to come out publicly and support Ganim.
It remains to be seen if Gov. Lamont, who has already said he wants to turn the page, will stake his reputation on a full-fledged Ganim endorsement.
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