From the Post Today...

BRIDGEPORT — Although there will be a new face in the mayor's office, the City Council may have a familiar look after Election Day.
That's because of the 47 candidates running for the 20 council seats, 16 of them — 15 Democrats and one Republican — are incumbents seeking another two-year term in one of the city's 10 voting districts.

Some newcomers, however, have stepped forward hoping to capture one of four open seats, which became vacant after veteran council members Thomas A. Mulligan, D-130; Elaine Pivirotto, D-132; Keith Rodgerson, I-133; and Andres Ayala Jr., D-137, chose not to seek reelection.

"This election comes at a very important time in Bridgeport's life," said council President Pro Tempore Robert P. Curwen Sr., a Democrat seeking reelection to the 138th District. "We have a chance to make history. We can't squander this opportunity."

Curwen was referring to several planned big developments, including the $1.2 billion Steel Point mixed-used project on Bridgeport Harbor, and the $500 million high-rise planned for the Remington shaver site.

The next council, Curwen said, should be prepared to "scrutinize and tweak" development projects to benefit the city. He added that the redevelopment of the city is so important, council members may need to consider their district priorities in terms of what may be best for the city as a whole.

Rodgerson left the Democratic Party and formed his own political Party, Bridgeport First. This new


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party has two council candidates on the ballot, Stephen A. Miller in the 130th District, and Daniel Comboni in the 131st District. Rodgerson is running for mayor as well as Board of Education on his party line.
Considering the council races as a whole, Curwen said incumbent members are working hard on their re-election campaigns, while the Democratic Party seeks to regain its hold on the Black Rock 130th District. That district has been represented by a Republican and a Democrat for several years.

With Mulligan declining to seek another term, Donna Curran, the incumbent Republican member from Black Rock, has been knocking on doors and making calls — not only to gain re-election but also to elect her Republican running mate, Merrilyn Vanghele.

"I enjoyed my two years on the council and would love to be reelected," Curran said. "Having 20 Democrats and no Republicans on the council would be very unhealthy. I'm doing what I can to prevent that."

The 20 Republican council candidates, however, face a great challenge because Democrats outnumber them by a 6-to-1 margin in voter registration.

Even so, changes may occur in the 137th District on the city's East Side, where Democrat Maria I. Valle is seeking re-election. She is joined on the ballot by Democratic Party-endorsed candidate Daniel Martinez.

Martinez is running for the seat being vacated by Ayala. Ayala, who has served as council president, was elected as a state representative last year.

Valle and Martinez are being challenged by two petition candidates, Lydia N. Martinez and Alberto J. "Tito" Ayala. Martinez and Ayala, who both served several terms on the council in the past, have voter recognition in their favor.

Also, in the 131st District, Democrat Rafael A. Mojica is seeking re-election as a petition candidate. Mojica ran on the slate of state Rep. Christopher Caruso, D-Bridgeport, who waged an unsuccessful primary challenge against state Sen. Bill Finch, D-Bridgeport, for the mayoral nomination.

Another member of Caruso's challenge slate, Toyka Simmons-Cook, was defeated by Richard Bonney by two votes in her quest to become a candidate for a 135th District council seat, following a recount. Bonney's initial victory margin after the primary was 16 votes. Bonney replaced Johnny Dye on the council in August. Dye died of cancer in June.

Two petition candidates, John L. Carswell and Mary A. McBride-Lee, are challenging Bonney and fellow Democrat Warren Blunt on the ballot along with Republican candidates in the 135th District, Manuel Garcia and Kathy Torres.

In the 132nd District, Robert S. Walsh, a Caruso supporter, was not endorsed for re-election by the Democratic Town Committee. But as a member of Caruso's challenge slate, Walsh defeated party-endorsed candidates and gained a ballot spot. Walsh's running mate on the challenge slate, M. Evette Brantley, also received more votes than the endorsed candidates and joined Walsh on the ballot.