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Ganim Claims Victory In Bridgeport Mayoral Primary

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Former Mayor Joseph Ganim declared victory Wednesday night in the Democratic primary election over incumbent Mayor Bill Finch and businesswoman Mary-Jane Foster, according to the Connecticut Post.

The race had drawn national attention because Ganim was convicted of 16 federal charges of corruption while mayor and served more than seven years in federal prison. 

Ganim claimed victory shortly after 9 p.m., the Connecticut Post reported. Foster conceded the race shortly before 9 p.m. As of 9:45 p.m. Finch had not conceded.

Unofficial vote totals, not including absentee ballots, put Ganim ahead of Finch, with 5,418 votes to 5,135, according to the Connecticut Post. About 1,600 absentee votes still needed to be counted

Finch and Foster have previously indicated plans to run as independent or third party candidates in November. In addition to Finch, they will face Republican Enrique Torres and independents Tony Barr, Charles Coveillo, David Daniels and Christopher Taylor in the general election.

Ganim served as mayor from 1991 to April 4, 2003, when he resigned after being convicted in March 2003 of 16 federal charges of corruption. Ganim leveraged his position as mayor to receive kickbacks from city contractors for more than $500,000 in cash, meals, clothing, wine and home renovations. 

He was released from federal prison on July 19, 2010, and served six months in a halfway house.

Click here to read the full story on the Connecticut Post.

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