Incumbent Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch Wins Democratic Party Endorsement

The mayor of Bridgeport has narrowly won the endorsement of local Democrats in his bid for a third term.

Mayor Bill Finch faced a strong challenge from a former mayor, Joseph Ganim, who is making a comeback bid after serving seven years in prison for corruption.

The Connecticut Post reports the Democratic Town Committee gave Finch 49 votes Tuesday night. Ganim got 41.

Finch, a two-term incumbent, has touted his record on reducing crime and improving schools. His campaign has frequently reminded voters of Ganim's criminal convictions.

Ganim and three other Democrats are expected to launch petition drives to get on the primary election ballot, where Finch's name will now be on top. Each needs 2,000 signatures.

The primary is Sept. 16 in the city of 150,000 people where Democrats heavily outnumber Republicans.