I am running as a Democrat – 1/30/09

Posted by Bob on January 30, 2009 under Daily Blogs | 4 Comments to Read

I was surprised recently when a voter asked me if I would run as a petitioning candidate if I did not win the Democratic Primary on March 9, 2009. Whether or not such question was based on a rumor or simple curiosity, I do not know.

What I can unequivocally say on the subject is this: I am running as a Democrat, and a Democrat only, to be the mayor of Naugatuck. I have no intention of running as a petitioning candidate, or as a candidate endorsed by another party. Naugatuck voters have a better chance of seeing me walk around town in a New York Yankees hat than having the chance to vote for me as anything other than a Democrat. For those of you who know me well, you can understand the significance of that statement.

In addition, I have pledged my support to elect a Democrat to the mayor’s office after the March 9, 2009, primary; whether or not that candidate is me or one of my opponents.

Rumors of my candidacy as a non-Democrat are curious to me for many reasons. I have been a Democrat since I registered to vote at the age of eighteen, and have supported Democratic candidates throughout the years. I have the utmost respect for Republicans, unaffiliated voters, and members of other political parties, and have worked across the aisle during my years on the Borough Board on initiatives important to Naugatuck; but I am proud to be a Democrat.

Unlike my opponent Kevin Knowles, I chose not to support Senator Lieberman’s 2006 independent candidacy for the Senate after Ned Lamont won the Democratic primary fair and square. See the following articles regarding the “Dems for Joe” movement: “A Reminder About the Dems for Joe” (www.spaceboy.net); and “Madfloridian’s Journal (www.democraticunderground.com). In my humble opinion, the purpose of a primary is to choose a candidate that will represent the party in the general election; not to give a candidate a second chance to get on the ballot for the general election.

Most significantly, a petition is being circulated on behalf of Kevin Knowles to qualify for the May 4, 2009, election ballot as a member of the Working Families Party. While I strongly support working families, I do so proudly as a Democrat. This leads to an important question: Is Kevin Knowles, as the endorsed candidate, attempting to secure a position on the ballot as a member of another party even if he loses the March 9, 2009, primary? If not, why is Mr. Knowles not content to run as a Democrat, and a Democrat only, as I have always done?

Naugatuck Democrats have a right to know a candidate’s loyalty to the Democratic Party; and a candidate’s respect for the Democratic primary process. I have just informed them of mine.

Johnna Hunt said,

Bob,
Yet again you prove yourself to be a person of great integrity. I truly appreciate your decision to run only as a democrat. As you stated the purpose of the primary is to let the 6100 registered democrats select the best candidate to represent them in the May election. I am confident, the democrats of Naugatuck will make the right decision and put your name on the ballot.
Rick Bowden said,

I like to say first that I too think that Bob Mezzo is a man of high integrity and strong passion for the betterment of all our citizens; democrats, republicans, working families and independents alike. At days end we all look to do whatever we can to help make Naugatuck a financially healthy, happy hometown with a vision for its brightest future.

And I think too that Bob is most sincere in his desire to lead Naugatuck through what is sure to be our most difficult times ahead. Bob Mezzo is a good man. I’ve
always said that and I’ve always meant that. If Bob is voted in as the party’s chosen candidate after its primary,I have no doubt that I would work diligently and with honor towards helping him win the general election in May.

Equally, I’ve always supported Kevin Knowles in his good and guided efforts to grow our collective community.

When Kevin received the Democratic Town Committee’s endorsement, I asked him if he would consider consenting to be endorsed on the Working Families party line. Let me be very clear on this point. Kevin did not come to us; we came to him. We came to him as a minor party seeking to cross-endorse the democratic party’s endorsed candidate. Kevin is and always will be a democrat. Just as for example is Jim Goggan,Bob’s campaign manager.

In elections past when Jim ran for burgess he readily came to the Working Families Party’s interview meetings at the labor counsel’s headquarters seeking our endorsement. Did that mean that he was seeking to run as anything other than a democrat? Absolutely not!

When Jim ran as a burgess candidate he knew that we were seeking to cross-endorse candidates that acted in line with the Working Families Party political philosophies and to work in the best interests of all working families.

He was happy to be there and clearly had no concern that he would not be considered as anything other than a democrat; a proud democrat that readily wanted to be endorsed by another political party as well as be on the democratic party line.

There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s the American way. Our desire to be represented by people that support the areas that are important to our way of life and our freedom to express ourselves through a representation of the people that we believe in and that believe in us; our collective best interests as one voice.

Cross-endorsement simply means that other people (other registered voters) are supporting the same candidate for the same office.

The reason for the different party line is to clearly show that it’s our working families that are the people speaking in a new voice. Speaking in one strong voice for a change to accountability in government.

In closing, Kevin Knowles is not a member of the Working Families party as was mistakenly stated. He is still a good and loyal member of the democratic party.

He simply consented as a democrat,when asked,to be considered for cross-endorsement by the Working Families party; as had many other good and loyal democrats in Naugatuck having too consented to be endorsed by both parties,in the present and in past elections in Naugatuck.
Bob said,

Thanks for the clarification Rick. I have the utmost respect for the Working Families Party and was in no way intending to discourage your your Party from exercising its democratic rights.

Our concern was that Kevin Knowles was attempting to establish an alternative avenue to campaign for mayor even if he were to lose the primary. Given his past support for Senator Lieberman’s independent campaign for Senate, this was obviously an issue for our campaign.

I have pledged to support Kevin if he wins the primary. Additionally Kevin has clarified his position in comments to the newspaper.

Trying to gain additional lines on the ballot and/or cross endorsement is nothing new and I have no objection to others seeking to do so. Personally I have not been cross-endorsed in the past, whether by Working Families, our local Independent Party or even going back to the ACP in my state representative race in 1994. I simply have a preference to represent the Democratic Party only.

For the record, our campaign has few titles, and there is no official “campaign manager”.

I look forward to working with you in the future, regardless of the results of the primary.
Rick Bowden said,

Thank you Bob,

As always,I apprecaite your direct and honest reply.

Go Dems!