How Did Joe Ganim Pull Off An Improbable Victory In Bridgeport Mayoral Primary?
Ganim's improbable victory in the Democratic mayoral primary had many throughout the state wondering: How did a former mayor driven from office and into prison for corruption pull it off?
Many Bridgeport observers had expected that Mayor Bill Finch would win because he had more campaign money, more union endorsements, and the advantage of eight years of incumbency that began when Ganim was still locked up in federal prison.
When Ganim started his comeback with an apology on New Year's Day in an African American church, few believed at the time that he could win a primary. But Ganim's personality, his strong brand of retail politics, and a strong get-out-the-vote effort in African American neighborhoods helped him win, his supporters said.
Former state Sen. Ernie Newton, who served time in federal prison like Ganim in a separate corruption scandal, said Finch's constant criticisms of Ganim's 16 felony convictions backfired.
http://www.courant.com/politics/hc-how-ganim-won-bridgeport-primary-20150921-story.html
