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Joe Ganim

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Beloved Bridgeport Fire Marshal Dies Suddenly Beloved Bridgeport Fire Marshal Dies Suddenly
Bridgeport Fire Marshal Dies Suddenly A much beloved Fairfield County fire marshal has died suddenly, just a year before he planned to retire. Bridgeport Fire Marshal Alberto Hernandez, age 63, of Bridgeport, died on Monday, April 22.  “I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Alberto Hernandez," said Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim. "We are all very grateful to have lived in a community where we could be under Hernandez’s protection as a Fire Marshal for the City of Bridgeport. He was a widely loved member of our community, and he will truly be missed by all who knew him." City officials said Herna…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
New Marriage Rules After Rise In Those Tying Knot At Bridgeport City Hall New Marriage Rules After Rise In Those Tying Knot At Bridgeport City Hall
Bridgeport Changes Rules To Get Married At City Hall With a large increase in the number of people looking to get married at a Fairfield County city hall, city officials have changed the rules. Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim announced on Monday, April 1 a new set of rules for weddings, and those obtaining marriage licenses beginning Monday, April 15. Weddings being performed for love birds who are not Bridgeport residents must fill out a digital marriage license application form on the City’s website and submit copies of photo IDs for both people being married.  The online application is already available for people to begin booking their a…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Poll: Crime Numbers Down In Bridgeport, Do You Feel Safer? Poll: Crime Numbers Down In Bridgeport, Do You Feel Safer?
Poll: Crime Numbers Down In Bridgeport, Do You Feel Safer? The Bridgeport Police Department has reported that overall crime statistics throughout Connecticut's most-populated city have been on a decline in comparison to this time last year.  The most notable statistical decrease can be found in shooting incidents throughout Bridgeport, said Mayor Joe Ganim. According to city officials: The number of shooting incidents has dropped by almost 34 percent from this time last year Non-fatal shooting victims at a 40 percent decrease Fatal shooting victims at a 33 percent decrease.  Officials point to the "avid" efforts being put in to boost re…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Bridgeport Says Goodbye To Historic Pleasure Beach Bridge Bridgeport Says Goodbye To Historic Pleasure Beach Bridge
Bridgeport Says Goodbye To Historic Pleasure Beach Bridge Soon one of Fairfield County's most recognizable bridges will be gone when it's demolished for safety reasons. The historic Pleasure Beach Bridge located in Bridgeport which once connected the city’s East Side of Bridgeport to the small island will be getting demolished within the next few weeks, city officials said. City officials said they have contracted with Terry Contracting for the project, with the hopes of solving many safety issues. Since the mid-1990s, the bridge has been out of service due to damage by a fire that tore through the bridge’s walkway.  In addition, the bridge…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Detectives Suspended Over Handling Of Probe Of Bridgeport Woman's Death Detectives Suspended Over Handling Of Probe Of Bridgeport Woman's Death
Detectives Suspended Over Handling Of Probe Of Bridgeport Woman's Death Two Fairfield County detectives have been suspended over the handling of an investigation into the deaths of two women including Lauren Smith-Fields.  Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim made the announcement late Sunday, Jan. 30 that Bridgeport Police detective Angel Llanos and Detective Kevin Cronin were suspended from duties and put on administrative leave until an internal investigation and disciplinary cases have been completed. In addition, the supervisory officer who was in charge of overseeing these matters has retired from the department as of this past Friday, Jan. 28 Ganim added…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Cause Of Death Released For Bridgeport Woman Found Dead After Date Cause Of Death Released For Bridgeport Woman Found Dead After Date
Cause Of Death Released For Bridgeport Woman Found Dead After Date A cause of death has been released for a Fairfield County woman who died while on a date with a man she met on an app. Lauren Smith-Fields, age 23, of Bridgeport, was found dead in her apartment on Sunday, Dec. 12 by Bridgeport Police after an "older white man" who she met on a dating site called to report her death, the family said. Since her death, the family has been battling with the Bridgeport Police Department over how it was handling the investigation, or lack of an investigation, in the family's opinion. On Monday, Jan. 24, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the cause o…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Application Deadline For $10K & $25K Grants To Bridgeport Small Businesses & Nonprofits—Aug 31 Application Deadline For $10K & $25K Grants To Bridgeport Small Businesses & Nonprofits—Aug 31
Application Deadline For $10K & $25K Grants To Bridgeport Small Businesses & Nonprofits—Aug 31 Time is running out.  If you’re a small business owner in Bridgeport, you have until 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31, to apply for a grant of up to $10,000 to fund additional personnel, to use on capital improvements, and more. Additionally, grants of up to $25,000 are available for storefront improvements. ... stay tuned to us for opportunities to partner with us to help get these funds into the community to have a positive impact on the City of Bridgeport. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, Bridgeport small businesses — defined in part by being located within city limits of Bridgeport, in …

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by Vira Mamchur Schwartz
Lifestyle
Bridgeport Mandates Masks Wearing As Delta Variant Ramps Up Bridgeport Mandates Masks Wearing As Delta Variant Ramps Up
Bridgeport Mandates Masks Wearing As Delta Variant Ramps Up With the rise of the COVID-19 Delta variant, masks are returning to another Fairfield County city, the second in a day. On Tuesday, Aug. 10, Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim signed an executive order which requires all individuals in the city to wear facial masks while indoors at any public place or in any business. Earlier report - COVID-19: Stamford Issues Mask Mandate, Including For Outdoor Gatherings Earlier in the day, Stamford had also announced a mask mandate for all buildings and at outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people. The new mandate in Bridgeport takes effect on Wednesday, …

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Shots Fired During Bridgeport Little League Game Sparks Outrage Shots Fired During Bridgeport Little League Game Sparks Outrage
Shots Fired During Bridgeport Little League Game Sparks Outrage This story has been updated. State and local government officials are working to stem the number of shootings taking place in Fairfield County after shots were fired during a Little League game. The incident took place Saturday, May 15, during an East End game at Newfield Park in Bridgeport, said Scott Appleby, director of Emergency Management. The shots startled those playing and attending the game and sent players running for cover. By Sunday, May 16, parents and worried residents were rallying at the park to put an end to such violence in the city. They were joined by Gov. Ned Lamont…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Ex-Personnel Director Sentenced For Bridgeport Police Chief Exam Scandal Ex-Personnel Director Sentenced For Bridgeport Police Chief Exam Scandal
Ex-Personnel Director Sentenced For Bridgeport Police Chief Exam Scandal A former city personnel director in Connecticut has been sentenced to four months in prison for his part in a test rigging scheme for the chief of police position at the largest department in Fairfield County. Former Bridgeport City Personnel Director David Dunn was sentenced Tuesday, April 13 to prison time for conspiring with former police chief Armando Perez to cheat on the 2018 exam that led to Perez being named chief. Dunn, age 73, who had worked for the city for more than 30 years, claimed that he helped with the scheme out of his loyalty to Mayor Joe Ganim. In addition to the cheati…

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by Kathy Reakes
Business
COVID-19: Packed Bridgeport Restaurant Shut Down For Violations COVID-19: Packed Bridgeport Restaurant Shut Down For Violations
Covid-19: Packed Bridgeport Restaurant Shut Down For Violations Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont lambasted a Fairfield County restaurant after videos went viral on social media of party-goers packing the place over the weekend and failing to adhere to the state’s COVID-19 mandates. Videos that were posted of Ten20 in Bridgeport drew the ire of Lamont and other elected officials over the crowd and the failure to socially distance or wear face coverings. In response, Lamont took to Twitter to blast the restaurant and its owners for failing to comply with the state’s COVID-19 guidelines. “This is what we’re talking about when we mention establishments not obey…

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by Zak Failla
News
Four In One College Will Give Students More Career Choices In Bridgeport Four In One College Will Give Students More Career Choices In Bridgeport
Four In One College Will Give Students More Career Choices In Bridgeport Four colleges are about to merge on one campus in Fairfield County's largest city so students can have access to more resources to plan their careers. Sacred Heart University, Goodwin University, the University of Bridgeport, and Paier College of Art have formed a consortium to serve certificate- and degree-seeking students at all academic levels in a centralized setting on the current University of Bridgeport campus. The measure gives students access to the strengths of each individual college. They will be able to select courses that position them for career readiness and when appropriate…

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by Donna Christopher
Police & Fire
ATVs, Dirt Bikes Seized In Effort To Stop Group On Bridgeport Roadways ATVs, Dirt Bikes Seized In Effort To Stop Group On Bridgeport Roadways
ATVs, Dirt Bikes Seized In Effort To Stop Group On Bridgeport Roadways In an effort to put a stop to groups of dirt bikes, quads, and motorcycle riders terrorizing drivers on the roadway, one city has seized nine vehicles during a special operation. The vehicles were seized in two different operations conducted in Fairfield County by a special Bridgeport Police detail, said Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim. Dirt-bikes and quads have been increasingly visible throughout the city driving recklessly on city streets, disobeying traffic signals, disobeying stop signs, and boxing in vehicles, Ganim said. The specials detail was organized after the city received numerous…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
COVID-19: Mandatory Mask, Face Covering Requirement Issued In Bridgeport COVID-19: Mandatory Mask, Face Covering Requirement Issued In Bridgeport
Covid-19: Mandatory Mask, Face Covering Requirement Issued In Bridgeport One Fairfield County city has issued an executive order making it mandatory for all to wear protective face masks while in public to help stop the transmission of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim issued the order late Thursday, April 16, to begin on Friday, April 17. Under the order, all citizens are required to wear face masks or any other type of protective face covering while in public places such as parks, local establishments, and essential businesses. The precautionary measure is in addition to all other state orders and healthcare recommendation…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
High Percentage of Admitted COVID-19 Patients Leave Fairfield County Hospital High Percentage of Admitted COVID-19 Patients Leave Fairfield County Hospital
High Percentage of Admitted Covid-19 Patients Leave Fairfield County Hospital With his ready demeanor and seated behind a desk, Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim offered reassuring words to the public and called on the city's faith leaders to pray that evening in his Facebook Live broadcast Thursday, April 9. The mayor asked for "prayer and words of faith during a time that residents in our community are impacted by coronavirus. These are difficult and uncertain times, but our faith-based groups have and continue to be an integral part in spreading positivity and hope," in the virtual town hall he runs daily. "We will all pray for good health and strength for our city,…

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by Donna Christopher
News
Physician Linked To NY Outbreak Tests Positive For COVID-19 In Bridgeport Physician Linked To NY Outbreak Tests Positive For COVID-19 In Bridgeport
Physician Linked To NY Outbreak Tests Positive For Covid-19 In Bridgeport A physician traced to the COVID-19 outbreak in New York has been confirmed as the second positive case of the novel coronavirus in Fairfield County. Bridgeport was notified by the Connecticut Department of Public Health of its first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) within the city, involving the physician who rounded at Bridgeport Hospital and was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Friday, March 6. There are now 76 cases of the novel coronavirus in New York State, with 57 of them in Westchester County. All 57 are linked to the first case in the county, that of a 50-year-old …

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Around The Towns: Catch Dumpers, Meet Haskell, State Moves To Cap Insulin Around The Towns: Catch Dumpers, Meet Haskell, State Moves To Cap Insulin
Around The Towns: Catch Dumpers, Meet Haskell, State Moves To Cap Insulin A Fairfield County official is fed up with illegal dumping and has a proposition for residents that helps curb the crime. Pictures of someone illegally dumping garbage in Bridgeport brought to Bridgeport Police can yield the photographer a $200 reward. Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, announced news of the "bounty" on his  Facebook page here. This Illegal Dumping Campaign is designed to prevent bulk trash and garbage from being dumped in neighborhoods in order to improve life for city residents, the mayor said. “The unlawful disposal of garbage needs to stop, and law enforcement will take acti…

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by Donna Christopher
Politics
Who Did You Vote For On Election Day In Fairfield County? Who Did You Vote For On Election Day In Fairfield County?
Who Did You Vote For On Election Day In Fairfield County? If you voted in Fairfield County on Tuesday, Nov. 5, you were asked to elect school board members and various town posts, including selectmen. City mayoral jobs also were on the ballot in Bridgeport, Danbury and Norwalk. Greenwich residents voted on top town government positions, including first selectman. Similar high-profile elections took place in Fairfield and New Canaan. For expanded coverage of politics, schools and lifestyle, visit Daily Voice Plus In Norwalk, Democratic Mayor Harry Rilling is seeking re-election for his fourth term. He is challenged by Republican Lisa Brinton.…

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Bridgeport Police Officer Fired After Being Arrested Six Times In Two Years Bridgeport Police Officer Fired After Being Arrested Six Times In Two Years
Bridgeport Police Officer Fired After Being Arrested Six Times In Two Years An officer who has been arrested six times in the past two years has been fired by Bridgeport Police Chief Armando Perez. Officer Steven Figueroa firing, on Wednesday, Aug. 21, comes on the heels of his latest arrest for an alleged sexual assault and an exhaustive Internal Affairs investigation. “After consideration of all information available through an investigation, it is clear that Steven Figueroa is wholly unfit to serve as a police officer,” said Perez. “This officer violated his oath of office and the public trust. As of this afternoon, Steven Figueroa has been terminated as a membe…

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by Kathy Reakes
Obituaries
State Representative Ezequiel Santiago From Bridgeport Dies Suddenly At 45 State Representative Ezequiel Santiago From Bridgeport Dies Suddenly At 45
State Representative Ezequiel Santiago From Bridgeport Dies Suddenly At 45 Family, friends and other lawmakers are stunned by the sudden death of State Rep. Ezequiel Santiago at the age of 45. "We are stunned and saddened at the loss of our friend and colleague," said Speaker of the House Rep. Joe Aresimowicz and House Majority Leader Rep. Matt Ritter. "Ezequiel Santiago was a giant of our caucus and the entire Legislature. His commitment to the people of Bridgeport was legendary." Santiago, who died from a heart attack early Friday, March 15, served in the State General Assembly for more than a decade.  As a member of the House Democrat's lea…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Bridgeport Police Sergeant's Death A Suspected Suicide Bridgeport Police Sergeant's Death A Suspected Suicide
Bridgeport Police Sergeant's Death A Suspected Suicide The Bridgeport Police Department is mourning the loss of one of its own with the death of a sergeant who was found dead in his home. Sgt. Mark Belinkie, 46, was found in his Milford home on Saturday by Milford Police who are investigating the death as a possible suicide. “We are all deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Sergeant Mark Belinkie,” Mayor Joe Ganim said in a statement. “As we grieve, we will continue to have his family, friends and his colleagues of the Bridgeport Police Department in our thoughts and prayers.” A 19-year-old veteran of the department, Belinkie, was hired on Aug…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
31 Displaced In Three-Alarm Bridgeport Fire 31 Displaced In Three-Alarm Bridgeport Fire
31 Displaced In Three-Alarm Bridgeport Fire A total of 31 people were displaced after a three-alarm fire broke out at a three-story housing structure in Bridgeport early Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 13. At 1:24 p.m. fire units responded to a structure fire at 135-141 Madison Avenue. The initial fire to the structure subsequently became a three-alarm fire that affected the adjacent structure which also had to be evacuated, Bridgeport authorities said. Units reported heavy fire on the second and third floors. Bridgeport Fire Department safely cleared and evacuated all tenants to the outside of the homes.  A GBT bus served as a tempo…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Bridgeport To Get $14.6M For Infrastructure, Economic Development Projects From State Bridgeport To Get $14.6M For Infrastructure, Economic Development Projects From State
Bridgeport To Get $14.6M For Infrastructure, Economic Development Projects From State The state bond commission has officially approved a $14.6 million award the City of Bridgeport to be used for infrastructure and economic development. Mayor Joe Ganim attended the Tuesday, Dec. 11 state bond commission meeting, and a number of projects’ funding has already been approved. The Sikorsky airport will receive $7 million in infrastructure improvements, and the Congress Street Bridge will get $3.7 million for reconstruction. Additionally, $2.28 is allocated to supporting Bridgeport’s “coastal resiliency.” The approved bonding also allocates $1 million to the demolition of the for…

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by Valerie Musson
Police & Fire
Bridgeport Police Department Welcomes New Chief Bridgeport Police Department Welcomes New Chief
Bridgeport Police Department Welcomes New Chief After a lengthy search and plenty of interviews, Bridgeport now has a new top cop only he's the same one that's been around for a long time. On Monday, Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim announced that Armando “AJ” Perez, who has spent the last more than two-and-a-half years running the department, will serve as the City of Bridgeport’s Chief of Police.  The appointment follows an extensive search and selection process that included community forums and feedback along with candidate written and oral tests and panel interviews. “Chief Perez has…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Bridgeport PD Adds K9 For Bomb Detection Bridgeport PD Adds K9 For Bomb Detection
Bridgeport PD Adds K9 For Bomb Detection The City of Bridgeport Police Department has added a new tool to help fight crime, Dennis, an explosive detective K-9 dog. The department was able to obtain Dennis, a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois, through a donation from Sonitrol Verified Security Systems in memory of its founder, Dennis F. Hickey. Hickey was a member of the Bridgeport business community for five decades. He founded Sonitrol Security Systems with his wife, Joan Hickey in 1973. Sonitrol Security started monitoring the security alarms at Central High School in 1976 and today they secure all Bridgeport schools and municipal bu…

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by Kathy Reakes
Politics
Stefanowski Upsets Boughton In Republican Primary Race For CT Governor Stefanowski Upsets Boughton In Republican Primary Race For CT Governor
Stefanowski Upsets Boughton In Republican Primary Race For CT Governor Related story: Ned Lamont Wins CT Democratic Primary Race For Governor Former General Electric executive Bob Stefanowski upset GOP-endorsed candidate Mark Boughton, the mayor of Danbury, according to unofficial returns in the Connecticut primary race for governor. With 90 percent of the votes counted, Stefanowski was leading Boughton by 29 to 21 percent. There was a separate primary runoff on Tuesday, Aug. 14 in which Democrat Ned Lamont of Greenwich easily defeated Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, as reported here by Daily Voice. Stefanowski of Madison has appeared in TV ads most of this year…

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by Jon Craig
Politics
Ned Lamont Wins CT Democratic Primary Race For Governor Ned Lamont Wins CT Democratic Primary Race For Governor
Ned Lamont Wins CT Democratic Primary Race For Governor Related story: Stefanowski Upsets Boughton In Republican Primary Race For CT Governor A dozen years after he upset former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman in a primary battle, Democrat Ned Lamont is the winner of Tuesday's Democratic primary race for governor of Connecticut. Early unofficial results showed Lamont, a 64-year-old businessman from Greenwich, leading Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim by a wide margin, 84 to 16 percent. Ganim, 58, who also sought to fill the seat of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, a two-term Democrat who is not seeking re-election, conceded before 10 p.m., congratulating Lamont on hi…

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by Jon Craig
Politics
Vote Now In Our Poll: Gap Tightening In CT Race For Governor Vote Now In Our Poll: Gap Tightening In CT Race For Governor
Vote Now In Our Poll: Gap Tightening In CT Race For Governor As the Republican underdogs predicted, the gap is closing between GOP-endorsed gubernatorial candidate Mark Boughton, the mayor of Danbury, and at least two of the Connecticut high-tech entrepreneurs, investors and business executives who have poured millions of their own money into primary election challenges. The primary election is on Tuesday, Aug. 14. You can request an absentee ballot until Monday, Aug. 13, but registration closed at noon on Thursday, Aug. 9. There is a separate primary runoff that pits two Democrats -- Ned Lamont of Greenwich and Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim -- against …

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by Jon Craig
Politics
Two Rounds Of CT Gubernatorial Debates Will Be Held At Sacred Heart University Two Rounds Of CT Gubernatorial Debates Will Be Held At Sacred Heart University
Two Rounds Of CT Gubernatorial Debates Will Be Held At Sacred Heart University Sacred Heart is hosting two gubernatorial debates: Republican candidates will debate on Tuesday, July 24 and the Democratic candidates will debate on Thursday, July 26.  Separate primary election debates will take place starting at 2 p.m. at the Martire Business & Communications Center on the campus of Sacred Heart University at 5401 Park Ave. in Fairfield. Sponsoring the debates along with Sacred Heart are the Hearst Connecticut Media Group and WSHU Public Radio. The primary elections are on Aug. 14 in advance of November's general election. The public is welcome to attend the primar…

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by Jon Craig
Politics
Lamont Makes Appeal To Middle-Class Voters In His First TV Campaign Ad In Governor's Race Lamont Makes Appeal To Middle-Class Voters In His First TV Campaign Ad In Governor's Race
Lamont Makes Appeal To Middle-Class Voters In His First TV Campaign Ad In Governor's Race Democrat Ned Lamont tries to refute the "limousine liberal" label that his primary election rival Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim has been trying to portray in the race for governor. In his new 30-second TV campaign ad, Lamont, a Greenwich telecommunications giant, is shown driving a modest car -- part of a $40,000 ad buy in the Hartford television market for the endorsed Democrat for governor. “So, I turned 64 this year. Kind of liberating actually,” Lamont says while driving. “I’m not running for governor as a stepping stone. Not thinking about re-election. Not going to take a salary…

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by Jon Craig
Politics
Ganim Qualifies For Dem's Primary Challenge To Lamont, Who Welcomes Debates Ganim Qualifies For Dem's Primary Challenge To Lamont, Who Welcomes Debates
Ganim Qualifies For Dem's Primary Challenge To Lamont, Who Welcomes Debates Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim’s petition drive to force a Democratic gubernatorial primary has prevailed.  Ganim said the Secretary of the State has confirmed he had legally collected the minimum 15,458 signatures needed to challenge the political party's endorsed candidate -- Ned Lamont of Greenwich -- in an Aug. 14 primary. Ganim supporters collected more than 32,000 signatures. On Wednesday, Lamont invited candidates who qualified for the ballot to join him in three gubernatorial debates. Lamont is confirmed to participate in: The Connecticut Association of Realtors Democratic and WTNH N…

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by Jon Craig