Republican Mayoral Candidate Enrique Torres: Rage Against the Machine

Republican City Councilman Enrique Torres is running for mayor of Bridgeport for the third time and he is running for essentially the same reason he vied for City Hall in 2003 and 2011: he believes the city is in poor shape and as a lifelong resident he wants to do something about it.

“I think for the most part residents of Bridgeport do not have a feeling of hope, a feeling of opportunity,” explained the Councilman (R130). “I think that’s tragic. I love this city and I want to see all of its residents succeed but with the shabby state of our city government and it’s been that way for decades, it’s next impossible to view Bridgeport as a land of opportunity.”

Torres is well-known Bridgeport personality, and not solely because he jumped into the political fray when he challenged incumbent mayor John Fabrizi in 2003. He is also recognizable as the owner of Harborview Market in Black Rock along with his wife Michele. The candidate can usually be seen chatting with customers or manning the ovens at the market, churning out delicious cookies, muffins and just about any other savory baked goods you can name.

Torres, who is the endorsed Republican, is bringing that same passion into the race for City Hall in a crowded field of seven candidates. Torres, former mayor Joe Ganim, who effectively ousted Mayor Bill Finch from the race by winning the Democratic primary and Mary-Jane Foster, a founder of the Bridgeport Bluefish and currently a Vice President at the University of Bridgeport, are considered by the media to be the three front runners.

However, there are four other candidates in the race who are pressing hard. Community advocate Charlie Coviello has founded the New Movement Party and has been extremely aggressive in the debates, and petitioning candidates Chris Taylor, David Daniels and Tony Barr have also been active. Foster refers to herself as an Independent Democrat, but she is also a petitioning candidate. Torres is the lone Republican in the race.

“I think my opponents are blowing smoke for the most part,” said Torres. “There are no plans and there are no plans to change the status quo. That’s what the machine wants and that’s what has been happening in this city for years. That is why we are stagnant.”

Torres blames the Democratic Town Committee for Bridgeport’s current problems and noted that “the machine,” a reference to the political power base in the Park City, is only interested in keeping itself in power. He counts Finch, Ganim and Mario Testa, Chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, among the political elite.

Although Foster has always campaigned as someone outside of the elite DTC, but Torres isn’t buying it, especially since her recent alliance with Finch. During a recent debate he said, “I’m sorry, Mary-Jane but we have to judge you by who your friends are,” and telling the Banner, “I think it’s appalling, immoral and disgusting.”

Torres’ political capital has grown markedly in recent years, a result he believes stems from Bridgeporters being dissatisfied with the current administration’s lack of leadership. He was elected to the City Council two years ago, his first elective office.

“I believe that no matter what your party affiliation, we must make Bridgeport a city where people want to work and live. As a City Councilman, I've seen first-hand the depth of our cities mismanagement and wastefulness,” he said.

Torres has a myriad of issues that he regularly addresses but these can be boiled down to two the major themes of his campaign: that the current Bridgeport machine has continuously lied to its constituency and that most Bridgeport residents do not get a fair chance of economic success.

“As far as lying that’s easy to fix,” said Torres. “We will be completely transparent. And I mean totally. The disingenuousness will end. That’s a first step.”

The Republican is advocating a forensic audit of the city’s budget and vows to eliminate waste when he finds it. He also wants to implement the oft-delayed Bridgeport property revaluation.

“I don’t see my opponents saying anything about these issues,” said Torres. “There are massive gaps in our budget and no one wants to find out why. Our properties are undervalued, especially our prime waterfront properties. We have probably the most underutilized and valuable waterfront on the East Coast.”

Torres wants to point the city in a different direction and is asking for your vote on Tuesday November 3rd. For more information check out his website at www.torresforbpt.com.