Ex-convict and former mayor Joseph Ganim is declaring victory in the Democratic primary in Bridgeport.
Ganim is attempting a political comeback after serving seven years in prison on a 2003 corruption conviction. With official results still pending, Ganim told supporters Wednesday night that he had defeated incumbent Mayor Bill Finch.
.@JoeGanim celebrates by taking a selfie at his HQ after defeating @MayorBillFinch in #Bridgeport #Democratic primary pic.twitter.com/9dKmzM5OR9
— Cloe Poisson (@cloepoisson) September 17, 2015
The two men are expected to face off again in the November election to decide who will lead Connecticut's biggest city.
Ganim was sentenced to prison for steering city contracts in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars in expensive wine, custom clothes, cash, and home improvements when he was mayor. He has the support of the police union, which has clashed with Finch over staffing levels.
Finch has led Bridgeport since 2007 and touted recent development projects on the campaign trail.