Incumbent Joe Ganim claimed the winner’s mantle in yesterday”™s Democratic primary for the city’s mayoral race, but his challenger John Gomes refused to concede the race and questioned the legitimacy of Ganim”™s triumph.
Yesterday”™s election seemed like a repeat of the 2019 Democratic primary when Ganim faced State Sen. Marilyn Moore ”“ Ganim trailed during the tabulation of in-person ballots but having a dramatic come-from-behind win when the absentee ballots were cast. In 2019, Moore unsuccessfully challenged the results.
The Associated Press called the race for Ganim around midnight, with the incumbent securing 51.5% of the votes counted while Gomes scored 48.5%. Ganim declared himself he winner shortly before midnight, but Gomes, who served as Bridgeport”™s chief administrative office under Ganim, questioned the circumstances of his success.
“There will be tangible evidence that this election was sabotaged and was stolen again,” Gomes said to a gathering of his supporters. “The people voted for us. The people want proper representation. But they continue to manipulate the system and oppress the majority.”
Ganim did not acknowledge Gomes”™ complaint in his victory speech, stating, “Let’s reorganize, let”™s make sure we’re focused on what’s critically important between now and November. We got to do our job to make sure the next four years, we do it for the people.”
Gomes is still in the running for mayor ”“ he has secured a place on the November ballot as the candidate of the Bridgeport Independent Party. If Ganim”™s primary election goes unchallenged, he will face Gomes, Republican David Herz and petitioning candidate Lamond Daniels in the Nov. 7 election.
Ganim is seeking his eighth term as mayor ”“ he served from 1991 to 2003 before forced to leave office and serve seven years in federal prison for corruption and extortion charges. He returned to the mayor”™s office in the 2015 election and was re-elected in 2019.
Photo of Joe Ganim courtesy of his Facebook page
