A robust voter education and mobilization campaign was also launched in support of Senator Moore, who pledged to end corruption, fund our schools, improve public safety, make housing more affordable and more.
BRIDGEPORT, Connecticut, June 3, 2023 | Today, gathered at the painted steps on Broad Street and surrounded by supporters dancing to the music of an all-female brass band, the Unrig Bridgeport coalition announced its first-ever endorsement for mayor in support of Senator Marilyn Moore ahead of Bridgeport’s Democratic primary elections on Tuesday, September 12th, 2023.
Marilyn Moore is a life-long Democrat and Bridgeport resident, who has dedicated her career to building people-power and fighting for a Bridgeport that works for everyone. Fiercely independent, Marilyn Moore challenged Bridgeport’s “political machine” for her State Senate seat four times and won. She is a mother, grandmother, former carpenter’s union member, corporate executive and community advocate. A graduate of Bridgeport public schools, Sen. Moore also attended Housatonic Community College and the University of Bridgeport. As a five-term State Senator, Chair of Housing and General Bonding, and Deputy President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Marilyn has led on securing state dollars for city projects, ending youth gun violence, improving public health, protecting women, families, and workers’ rights, and fighting for affordable housing. In 2019, she challenged incumbent Joe Ganim for mayor and beat him at the polls, clearly demonstrating that she has a motivated voter base and a real path to victory. She would be the first Black person and first Black woman to be elected Mayor of Bridgeport.
“The Unrig Bridgeport coalition is so excited and proud to support Marilyn Moore for mayor of Bridgeport. We know she is the only candidate who is committed to “unrigging” our city, who will fight against systemic corruption and special interests and who will provide Brideporters with the city government and critical services we need and deserve,” said Gemeem Davis, President and Co-Director of Bridgeport Generation Now Votes. “Bridgeporters are ready for change and voters are paying attention. We want better schools, safer streets, and a stronger city, and Marilyn Moore stands ready, willing, and able to help make that happen.”
In January, local leaders and state allies with the Unrig Bridgeport coalition came together at McLevy Green to launch the “Year of Change,” a voter-engagement campaign that centers the people of Bridgeport’s voices, this year’s most pressing issues, and highlights the power of voting. The coalition then released The People’s Platform, a new blueprint for Bridgeport’s future which lays out a transformative vision for the issues Bridgeport voters care most about: ending corruption, funding education, making housing more affordable, delivering real public safety and justice, ensuring new jobs, improving our roads, and more. The platform, which was officially released on March 25th, was informed by hundreds of conversations with residents at community events and meetings throughout the city, as well as a citywide public opinion poll.
On May 2nd, all candidates running for Mayor in Bridgeport’s 2023 municipal elections were invited to participate in the Unrig Bridgeport endorsement process by completing a candidate questionnaire, participating in a candidate interview, and taking “The People’s Pledge” to support 80% of policies laid out in The People’s Platform. The candidates that applied for the endorsement were Sen. Moore and John Gomes. Mayor Joe Ganim and Lamond Daniels did not complete the candidate questionnaire. An endorsement committee made up of eleven organizational leaders from the Unrig Bridgeport coalition reviewed, evaluated, and interviewed all participating candidates and their commitment to the platform, and made endorsement decisions accordingly. Senator Moore received a unanimous vote from the Unrig Bridgeport endorsement committee.
“The people of Bridgeport are sick and tired of corruption, political cronyism and election year posturing. We demand upright leaders we can trust to work for the greater good! The People’s Platform reflects the change we demand and, as a member of the Unrig Bridgeport Coalition, the Greater Bridgeport Ed Gomes Black Democratic Club intends to see that change come to pass in this election cycle. This is our year!”said Ronelle Swagerty, founding member of the Greater Bridgeport Ed Gomes Black Democratic Club.
“We are proud of the People’s Platform and we truly feel this year it’s a year of change for the city of Bridgeport,” said Barbara Lopez, State Direction for Make the Road Action Connecticut. “We support Sen. Marilyn Moore’s candidacy for Mayor because her bold, innovative, and progressive leadership will transform the city of Bridgeport to be a place where the community can live with dignity and respect.”
In addition, today the coalition also launched an accompanying voter education, engagement, and mobilization effort in support of all candidates for local office who receive their endorsement. The effort will engage thousands of Bridgeport voters throughout the summer. Voter engagement activities will include, but are not limited to: traditional grassroots organizing initiatives (like door knocking, street canvassing, and phone banking); modern online and digital organizing initiatives (like social media, digital ads, and text/email engagement); and other forms of paid advertising initiatives like billboards and signage. The voter engagement effort, paid for by Bridgeport Generation Now Votes, is an independent expenditure campaign and is not authorized by or done in coordination with any candidate or candidate’s committee.
“Between now and the primary election on Tuesday, September 12th, we will be talking with voters about The People’s Platform and our shared vision for positive change,” said Callie Gale Heilmann, Co-Director of Bridgeport Generation Now Votes. “Corruption doesn’t define us, it’s just in the way. With Marilyn Moore as our next mayor, we can finally get to work on building the just, equitable, democratic, and livable city we all know is possible.”
The coalition will open the candidate endorsement process for City Council candidates and Board of Education candidates later this month.
The Unrig Bridgeport coalition was launched in March 2021 by Bridgeport Generation Now Votes, the 501c4 affiliate of Bridgeport Generation Now. Today’s announcement follows a series of initiatives and victories by the Unrig Bridgeport coalition and Bridgeport Generation Now Votes, including: 2021 electoral wins for City Council and Board of Education, the 2021 appointment of an independent election monitor for Bridgeport, the exposure of widespread absentee ballot abuses in the 2019 mayoral election with the Lazar v. Ganim et al lawsuit, the successful passage of the Bridgeport Anti-Corruption Resolution, and the 2018 fight for a transparent search for Bridgport’s police chief.
In 2021, the Unrig Bridgeport coalition released the first version of The People’s Platform. Candidates for City Council and Board of Education were invited to pledge their support for the platform. The coalition then released an endorsed slate of 7 candidates and mobilized Bridgeport voters – and 6 out of 7 of the candidates won. The coalition launched the “Year of Change” campaign in January of 2023 to repeat the process ahead of the municipal elections for Mayor, City Council, and Board of Education.
The UNRIG BRIDGEPORT COALITION is made of the following partner organizations: Bridgeport Generation Now Votes, Bridgeport Strong, Connecticut Citizen Action Group, The Greater Bridgeport NAACP, Greater Bridgeport Ed Gomes Black Democratic Club, Make The Road CT Action, PT Partners, and SEIU 1199 New England.
BRIDGEPORT GENERATION NOW VOTES is on a mission to increase voter turnout in Bridgeport elections. Key to that work is strengthening democracy, fighting corruption, and expanding and protecting voting rights for the people of Bridgeport. We are a nonprofit, nonpartisan 501(c)4 affiliate of Bridgeport Generation Now, working on legislation, litigation, and grassroots organizing. For more information, go to bptgennowvotes.org and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
