On behalf of Bridgeport voters, we are extremely disappointed in the Connecticut Working Families Party’s decision to not endorse any of the challengers to Mayor Joe Ganim. The party had all three challengers apply for their endorsement and collect signatures on their behalf, only to decide to sit on the sidelines during the most competitive mayoral race in the state. We find this disrespectful to the candidates and to grassroots organizers who have been working on the ground here day in and day out to build progressive power – including their own Bridgeport chapter.

Additionally, if the Connecticut Working Families Party could not identify the true progressive in this race – a 5-term State Senator with a powerful electoral history and stellar voting record – and back her wholeheartedly, then they should cease claiming to be a legitimate progressive third party option for voters.

By refusing to endorse Marilyn Moore and shutting her out from the November ballot, the CT WFP silenced the will of thousands of Bridgeport voters who were ready to vote for her, thereby stifling democracy and also rendering themselves obsolete: the opposite of what the national Working Families Party says is their mission. Why claim to be building progressive power only to leave it all on the table the moment that everyday, working people need it?

Today, on the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, we are resolute that our movement for a beloved Bridgeport will continue. Our work – to dismantle the oppressive, racist, and corrupt system in Bridgeport and build a multiracial democracy that can work for everyone – will go on. We will remain honest, courageous and unapologetic about the mission of our electoral organizing: to back truly independent candidates who will work on the issues and transform Bridgeport from a city that takes from its people to line pockets and grease palms, to a city that delivers for all.