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🆕 130th DTC Convention Updates

Below is a recap of what happened last night at the 4th Congressional Convention, as well as the updated list of conventions, including dates, times and locations.


Ilana Ofgang, Donna Karnal, and Donna Curran (proxy) were all delegates to the 4th Congressional Democratic Convention
Ilana Ofgang, Donna Karnal, and Donna Curran (proxy) were all delegates to the 4th Congressional Democratic Convention

4th Congressional Convention Recap:


As the 130th DTC, we invited both declared candidates for U.S. Congress, 4th District to apply for our public endorsement: Joseph Perez Caputo and Jim Himes. Only Joseph Perez Caputo applied. Jim Himes did end up agreeing to set up a Zoom meeting with us. 


After interviewing Mr. Perez Caputo and meeting with Congressman Himes, our committee's internal decision was to let each 130th DTC member vote individually at last night's convention, as no one candidate was strong enough to receive a full endorsement. 


Here are some important highlights from our internal process and discussions:


  • We had discussions about Mr. Perez Caputo's progressive policy ideas, which many of us supported, versus his campaign's viability. 

  • In the meeting with Himes, we did ask him why he endorsed Joe Ganim in 2024 after a judge overturned the 2023 election due to overwhelming evidence of fraud. He stated his line in the sand is that he won't endorse anyone who is indicted. 

  • We also emphasized that Bridgeport Democrats want a Congressman who will protect democracy on the national stage AND locally within the district. To us, that means  speaking out against Republican's voter suppression tactics AND against absentee ballot fraud in Bridgeport's elections.  

  • Finally, we asked Congressman Himes to commit to coming to Bridgeport for a public community meeting where voters can ask him questions and talk about national Democratic politics and strategy. It is one of our goals to make sure this happens over the summer. 


Last night's vote was 4 votes for Jim Himes and 4 abstentions and 1 absent. Please feel free to reach out to each member directly (cc'd here) for questions about how - and why - we voted the way we did. 


More delegates! From left to right: Chantel Mendez, John Fitzpatrick, and Anna Price
More delegates! From left to right: Chantel Mendez, John Fitzpatrick, and Anna Price


State Convention Delegates and Abuse of Power:


Per state party rules, as Chairman, Mario Testa chooses the delegates to the various conventions and then the full DTC (all 90 members) vote on it. Here are the people Mario selected to go to the state convention for Governor from the 130th District:


None of us voted to approve this list. We presented an alternate list at the March 31st meeting that gave us at least 5 delegate seats, allowed the 2 elected representatives Mayor Ganim and Steve Stafstrom to remain. The vote to approve our alternate list did not pass. 


This list is an abuse of the Chairman's power. It does not represent the will of the Democratic voters of our district. And it does not represent the class, race, gender, and ethnic diversity of our neighborhoods.


If you would like to email the delegates listed above to ask that they give their proxy to one of us - the members of the elected 130th DTC - please do! We have also asked some of the individuals. 


Upcoming Democratic Conventions:


State Convention - None of us are delegates but we are still going

Saturday, May 16, 2026

The Bushnell Theater, 166 Capitol Ave, Hartford, CT 06106

Registration begins at 9:30 AM

Convention begins at 11:00 AM


22nd State Senate District Convention - Eight of us are delegates

Monday, May 18, 2026 at 5:30 PM

Trumbull Town Hall Council Chambers, 5866 Main St, Trumbull, CT 06611


23rd State Senate District Convention - Caro Marrero is in this district and is a delegate

Monday, May 18, 2026 at 5:30 PM

Margaret E. Morton Government Center, 999 Broad Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604


Town Committee Meeting for State Representatives, Judge of Probate & Registrar of Voters - All nine of us are delegates

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 5:30 PM

Margaret E. Morton Government Center, 999 Broad Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604


Sincerely, 

130th Democrats For The People


Brandon Clark

John Fitzpatrick

Callie Heilmann

Donna Karnal

Caro Marrero

Chantel Mendez

Ilana Ofgang

Anna Price

Clea Wilson 

 
 
 

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