Connecticut Republican leaders are calling for Attorney General Pam Bondi's intervention in Bridgeport's ongoing ballot fraud scandal.
According to Fox News, state GOP officials have requested a federal investigation to determine whether the election crimes in Bridgeport that resulted in over 150 criminal charges are part of a larger coordinated effort to manipulate votes across Connecticut.
The controversy stems from a judicially-overturned 2023 election in Bridgeport, where surveillance footage captured Democratic Party official Wanda Geter-Pataky allegedly stuffing multiple ballots into a drop box outside city hall. The incident led to a court-ordered repeat election between Mayor Joe Ganim and challenger John Gomes.
State Sen. Rob Sampson and Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding expressed their concerns about the inadequacy of two new election reform bills, SB 1515 and SB 1516, introduced by Democrats in response to the scandal. The legislators shared their perspective in a joint statement: "Connecticut has made embarrassing international news for absentee ballot fraud caught on viral video. Everyone saw it."
The proposed legislation would establish a Municipal Election Accountability Board and implement new regulations for post-election procedures, curbside voting, and criminal convict participation in election activities. However, Republican leaders argue these measures fail to address the root causes of electoral fraud.
Democratic leadership, including House Speaker Matt Ritter and Senate President Pro-Tem Martin Looney, has remained largely silent on the Republican criticism of their proposed reforms.
Five Democratic officials, including Geter-Pataky, face approximately 150 election-related charges. The allegations detail multiple instances of ballot mishandling that cast doubt on the legitimacy of the primary election results.
House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora emphasized the gravity of the situation, suggesting that current penalties are insufficient to deter potential wrongdoers. He advocates for stricter consequences, including jail time, for those who attempt to manipulate elections.
The Heritage Foundation's Voter Fraud Report documented that Geter-Pataky made ten ballot drops, while another individual made five separate drops during the contested mayoral primary.
While Republican leaders oppose the Democratic reform bills, mayoral candidate John Gomes has expressed support for the proposed Municipal Election Accountability Board. His position stems from allegations detailed in the criminal complaint about town clerks allowing improper ballot handling.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has attempted to distance the controversy from early voting and absentee ballot systems, suggesting that individual actors, rather than the voting methods themselves, are responsible for the fraud.
The ballot fraud investigation in Bridgeport has evolved into a complex political battle over election reform in Connecticut. Republican leaders have formally requested Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate whether the documented election crimes in Bridgeport indicate a broader pattern of voter fraud throughout the state.
The controversy has sparked debate over two Democratic-sponsored election reform bills, which Republicans argue are insufficient to prevent future electoral manipulation. As the case proceeds, state officials must balance the need for accessible voting with measures to prevent fraud and restore public confidence in the electoral system.
