Suspect Charged In Bridgeport Democratic Primary Absentee Ballot Case: Chief State's Attorney

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Former Bridgeport state Sen. Dennis A. Bradley Jr., 42, has been charged in connection with the alleged misuse of absentee ballots during the 2026 Bridgeport Democratic primary, Chief State's Attorney Patrick J. Griffin announced Tuesday.

Inspectors with the Statewide Prosecution Bureau in the Office of the Chief State's Attorney arrested Bradley on a warrant charging him with two counts of illegal possession of absentee ballots and envelopes, one count of being present when an absentee ballot applicant executes an absentee ballot and one count related to absentee ballots.

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The charges stem from the Aug. 11 Democratic primary, which included a contest for judge of probate between incumbent Paul Ganim and challenger Mark Bradley, Dennis Bradley's brother.

According to the Chief State's Attorney's Office, a complainant contacted Bridgeport police Aug. 5 and filed a complaint with the State Elections Enforcement Commission the following day. The complainant alleged that a man she knew as Dennis Bradley came to her apartment, opened her previously completed absentee ballot and instructed her how to change her vote from Ganim to Mark Bradley.

The SEEC later referred the case to the Office of the Chief State's Attorney for further investigation.

Bradley was released on a promise to appear Oct. 21 in Bridgeport Superior Court.

Griffin added that the charges are accusations, and Bradley is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.