New Mayoral Primary Ordered In Bridgeport: Judge

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A new mayoral primary was ordered by a judge in Bridgeport Wednesday, following a scandal in the handling of absentee ballots.

Candidate John Gomes challenged the results of this summer's Democratic primary, after he won the machine count, but lost to incumbent Mayor Joseph Ganim after the counting of absentee ballots.

The Connecticut Post was the first to report about the ruling.

Gomes reportedly lost to Ganim by 251 votes, but Superior Court Judge William Clark ruled that Gomes met the "burden of proof and established violations in the placing of absentee ballot into drop boxes by partisans."

In his lawsuit, Gomes sought to either be declared the winner of the primary, or that a new primary be held. Ganim is currently listed as the Democratic candidate on the ballot, and Gomes is listed as an Independent.

When a new primary will be held was not immediately known.

Click here to read Judge William Clark's full ruling.