Ganim Campaign Statement Regarding Primary Ballot Petitions

Former Bridgeport Mayor Joseph P. Ganim, who is seeking to reclaim the seat he held from 1991-2003, today expressed outrage, sadness and regret over issues related to one of over 4,000 signatures on one of his primary ballot petitions obtained.

“Although our campaign has only learned about this now, this paid individual was terminated on July 28 after there was some dissatisfaction with the quality of her work,” Ganim said. She had worked for the campaign for less than a month during which the petition drive was underway.

Ironically, this individual went through an extensive 4-hour training program for both volunteer and paid canvassers. Ganim said that she may now be working for another Bridgeport mayoral campaign.

“We turned in close to 3,000 signatures, in just 5 days. This make no sense to me at all. Had we any indication that any signature was not valid we would have avoided submitting that signature.”

The individual who made the claim – the Rev. Raymond Anderson – received a “thank you” letter from the Ganim campaign on/or about August 7.

“It is worth noting that it was only because of the thank you that we sent out to each person who signed one of our petitions that this was discovered,” Ganim said. “Transparency” has been a major platform for Ganim throughout the campaign.

Upon learning of this, as it was being reviewed, Ganim invited the Connecticut Post to come into campaign headquarters to review the petitions and speak to campaign workers. They accepted the invitation and met with campaign workers late Friday.