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It's Official: Bridgeport Mayor Ganim To Explore Run For Governor

BRIDGEPORT, Conn.  —  Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim hinted about running for governor earlier this month. He will make it official on Friday, according to WFSB-TV. 

Mayor Joe Ganim discusses plans to renovate the Majestic and Poli theaters in downtown Bridgeport.

Mayor Joe Ganim discusses plans to renovate the Majestic and Poli theaters in downtown Bridgeport.

Photo Credit: Meredith Guinness

During a taping Thursday for the weekend show "Face the State," Ganim said he will start the process of exploring a gubernatorial run in 2018, WFSB-TV said. Ganim will form an exploratory committee on Friday, the Connecticut Post said. 

Governor Ganim might come as a shock to many Connecticut residents. But Ganim already made a comeback after spending seven years in prison after his conviction on 16 federal corruption charges. He was found guilty of spearheading a “pay-to-play” atmosphere during his first tenure as mayor from 1991 to 2003.

He returned to City Hall when he was elected mayor again in 2015. 

And earlier this month, Ganim submitted a petition to the Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission, asking for a declaratory ruling that would pave the way for a future campaign.

He’s asking the commission to grant him permission under state law to participate in the Citizens’ Election Program. Part of the campaign finance law appears to ban anyone with a felony conviction related to their public office from participating in the clean elections program, according to his attorney, Arnold Skretta.

A Democrat, Ganim still has two and a half years left in his current mayoral term. Current Gov. Dannel Malloy has announced he will not seek re-election in 2018. 

"Face the State" will be broadcast on WFSB on Sunday at 11 a.m.

Click here to read the story at the WFSB website. Click here to read the story at the Connecticut Post website.

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