Although ex-convict Joe Ganim won the Democratic primary for Bridgeport’s mayoral seat, incumbent Mayor Bill Finch said he'll give it another shot as a third-party candidate in the November election.
Finch said he’ll appear on the general election ballot as a candidate with the Job Creator’s Party.
Despite his seven years in prison for corruption during his last tenure, Ganim won Wednesday's primary with 6,264 votes to Finch's 5,859.
Finch believes he lost because of low voter turnout, while Ganim said the opposite.
The incumbent mayor thanked his supporters and campaign team in a press conference this afternoon.
He did not mince his words about the winner when speaking with NBC Connecticut on Thursday.
"It was one of the largest thefts in American history by a public official," Finch said of Ganim's actions. "And if you really care about Joe Ganim, you wouldn’t put him in harm’s way again. Give him something better to do than counting money because he obviously isn’t good at that without stealing."
Ganim spent part of the afternoon knocking on doors to thank voters in person and said he’s learned from his mistakes.
"(It's) something we can all look back on and learn lessons from. But now it’s about building, not just campaigning now for November, but (for) an administration and a Bridgeport that really does work for everyone again," he said.
With Ganim's past looming over him, some residents believe his convictions should be left in the past.
"He deserves a second chance like anybody else," said Bridgeport resident Anthony Shivers.
Finch, however, said the city is still paying the price of Ganim’s mistake – thousands of dollars.
"The mob’s at the gate and we’ve got to keep them out," he said. "We do not want to see the city go back to how thick the wad of cash was that the mayor was getting."
Ganim said accountability is at the forefront of his campaign.
"I’m conscious of the need for transparency in city government, whether I’m mayor or anyone else is mayor," he said.
Finch is one of three incumbent mayors in Connecticut to lose to their opponents Wednesday. Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra lost to Luke Bronin, while New London Mayor Justin Finizio lost against Michael Passero.
