BRIDGEPORT — Ezequiel Santiago only died two weeks ago, but the election calendar does not wait for a mourning period to end. Potential successors are launching their campaigns.
Santiago’s fellow Democrats from the city’s South and West ends and downtown gathered Thursday night to nominate Antonio Felipe for the May 7 special election.
When Santiago died suddenly on March 15 at age 45, he had represented Bridgeport in the state legislature for a decade.
Felipe is 23, and has worked behind the scenes during elections.
“Experience comes at different levels,” City Council President Aidee Nieves said following Felipe’s quick nomination. “What Antonio is able to bring to the table is a youthful insight of what the city needs. He understands the Bridgeport community; much of his work has been helping others push their agenda forward.”
Felipe said he and his family were close to Santiago.
“Zeke was a friend of the family, a good friend of mine,” he said.
In a prepared speech, Felipe offered a moment of silence for the late lawmaker and noted he would be “honored” to take on the “impossible” task of filling Santiago’s shoes.
“I know that Bridgeport’s best days are ahead of us, and that my background as a Park City native and a son of the 130th District has prepared me to fight for our city up in Hartford,” he said.
Because Felipe’s family recently relocated to Stratford, he is getting ready to rent an apartment in the district.
While the city is currently run by Mayor Joe Ganim, who stopped by Thursday’s event at the party’s normal...
from News https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Candidates-lining-up-to-succeed-Rep-Santiago-13725045.php
No comments:
Post a Comment