August 25, 2025 — For too long the local Democratic Party has functioned like a secret society that only a select few have access to. Last week, the State Democratic Party ruled once again that Bridgeport’s Democratic Town Committee (DTC) is in violation of local and state party rules.

On March 6, 2024, based on an initial complaint filed by Co-Directors Gemeem Davis and Callie Heilmann, the Democratic State Central Committee (DSCC) ruled that the Bridgeport DTC was, in fact, in violation of state party rules, and directed Mario Testa to take several actions, including:

  • Publish meeting notices and applicable agendas electronically
  • Provide notice of meetings prior to their occurrence on public platforms 
  • Refrain from taking official actions via subcommittee
  • Keep adequate records of proxy and alternate voters
  • Meet at least four times per year
  • Follow Robert’s Rules of Order (newly revised)

On July 23, 2025, due to the ongoing disregard for the state’s directives, five Bridgeport Democrats – Josue Jorge, Maria Pires, Joe Sokolovic, Gemeem Davis, and Callie Heilmann – filed a follow-up complaint with state party officials. A copy of this second complaint can be found here.

This most recent ruling confirms what many Bridgeport Democrats already know: The Bridgeport DTC and Mario Testa have largely ignored the DSCC’s 2024 decision and continue to violate state Democratic Party rules and their own bylaws.

It’s past time for the Bridgeport Democratic Town Committee to get their act together and start operating in a more transparent and inclusive manner.

READ THE 2024 COMPLAINT
READ THE 2024 DECISION
READ THE 2025 COMPLAINT
READ THE 2025 DECISION

“There Ends The Good News”

From last week’s DSCC ruling:

“Before delving into violations, the Bridgeport DTC did make some changes from last year. For example, they updated their Local Rules on May 13, 2025. Multiple witnesses for complainants, and an exhibit for the complainant, show that agendas are being provided via mail. There ends the good news.” 

They go on to say, “Many of the items at issue in this hearing were also at issue in last year’s Bridgeport Dispute Resolution hearing.” Last week’s ruling supports many complaints raised for the second time by Mr. Jorge, Ms. Davis and the others and issues several directives, including that:

  • The Bridgeport DTC must start electronically posting meeting notices and agendas
  • The Bridgeport DTC must have at least four town committee meetings per year
  • The Bridgeport DTC may NOT make official decisions by subcommittee or “district” level. Subcommittees may make recommendations to the full town committee, but official action must be taken by the full 90 members.
  • The Bridgeport DTC must hold their meetings in places accessible to all Democratic Party members with visible signage. 
  • The Bridgeport DTC must hold a meeting to amend their bylaws to reflect what was agreed upon by the town committee on May 13, 2025. The current treasurer shall be permitted to serve in an acting basis until the bylaws go into effect.  

“That Is Not What The Bridgeport DTC Adopted”

The last directive stems from the May 13, 2025 meeting of the Bridgeport DTC where a vote was taken to amend the bylaws so Mario Testa could keep Marie Heller as his treasurer, despite the fact that she is a Shelton resident. 

Bridgeport DTC members were clearly uncomfortable allowing the treasurer’s position to be a non-resident (what Mario wanted) and so they passed an amended version, whereby Marie Heller is allowed to serve out the remainder of her term. 

However, the amendment that was filed with the Town Clerk stated ““treasurer is not required to be listed on the last completed enrollment list of the Democratic Party in Bridgeport, but rather is only required to be enrolled as a member of the Democratic party in a municipality within the state of Connecticut.” 

Rightfully so, the state panel concluded “that is not what the Bridgeport DTC adopted” and have directed them to hold a new meeting to make the proper amendment.

Accountability Loading…

At the end of the ruling, the panel concludes:

“Much of this decision is a copy-and-paste of the decision issued last year. This is why many Complainants asked whether anything substantive would come from this process given the overall lack of success from the last hearing.” 

To ensure compliance, the Panel requires two additional steps by the Bridgeport DTC: 

  • First, this decision is to be provided to all Bridgeport DTC delegates. This is to ensure that every delegate of the Bridgeport DTC is aware that a complaint was filed and the Democratic State Central Committee issued a decision to remedy the violations.
  • Second, the state central members representing the 22nd and 23rd district (Bridgeport) must report to the State central committee at its first meeting in the fall on their progress on each of the Panel’s holdings. 

City Council Reps. Ernie Newton (139th District) and Maria Valle (137th District) are the two DSCC members who represent Bridgeport. Will the Bridgeport DTC meet to discuss these back-to-back state rulings? Will they develop a plan to come into compliance? 

If they do, dear reader, you’ll be the first to know… 😉