Black Rock Residents Are Proud Political Mavericks In Democratic Bridgeport

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - In Bridgeport’s Black Rock neighborhood, one of the most politically active neighborhoods in the city, the residents are often more than willing to voice their opinions.

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch has often had political disagreements in Black Rock.
Photo Credit: *File photo*

by Rob Sullivan

10/30/2014 5:00 p.m.

The Democratic Party is the political power in Bridgeport: There has not been a Republican mayor since Joe Ganim was elected in 1991, and the Democrats also dominate the City Council.

Black Rock is also heavily Democratic, but voters in the neighborhood often go their own way and do not necessarily follow the Democratic Town Committee. For example, in the 2011 Democratic Party mayoral primary, incumbent Bill Finch won a landslide victory. His opponent, Mary-Jane Foster, won only one precinct: Black Rock School.

Another case in point: The City Council has 20 members, 19 of whom are Democrats. The lone Republican is Enrique Torres from Black Rock’s 130th District. Torres, owner of the popular Harborview Market, was elected in November 2013 after twice losing as a Republican mayoral candidate.

The Rock's Harborview Market is known for its political bent, with Bridgeport’s high property taxes often a topic of discussion over cups of morning coffee and egg sandwiches.

Another place where politics is often discussed is Matty’s Corner, a tavern owned by Danny Roach, Black Rock’s Democratic leader. Roach has been successful at turning out the vote during election season and has often frustrated Black Rock’s political dissidents.

“Obviously the key is getting people to the polls,” said Roach. “You can’t have people sitting on their hands and not voting.”

One political dissident is Jim Fox, who once led a movement he called Black Rock 170. His intention was to have Black Rock secede from Bridgeport and become the 170th town in the Nutmeg State. Secession is still sometimes discussed in the neighborhood.

Black Rock’s other elected officials are Democratic Councilman Sue Brannelly and state Rep. Auden Grogins.

State Sen. Anthony Must represents Black Rock, but he was defeated in the Democratic primary by Marilyn Moore. She is facing Republican Rick Costantini in the election next week.

Black Rockers cast their ballots at Black Rock School and the Aquaculture School.

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