Democratic Activist Marty Dunleavy vs. Former Senator Ernie Newton, Part 2

Marty Dunleavy says he actually likes Ernie Newton.

But that has not stopped him from dropping rhetorical bombs on the former state Senator who is seeking a political comeback in a high-profile battle.

A longtime Democratic political activist from New Haven, Dunleavy is running the campaign of 76-year-old Senator Edwin Gomes in a bitter, three-way primary that is fast becoming one of the most hotly contested races in the history of brutally bare-knuckle Bridgeport politics.

Dunleavy is outraged that – among other things – Newton called himself “the Moses of my people’’ before he resigned under pressure from his Senate seat in 2005 and was sentenced to five years in federal prison for accepting a bribe, evading taxes, and pilfering campaign funds for personal use.

“That’s a disgusting idea,’’ Dunleavy said of the Biblical reference to Moses. “Statements like that should not go unchallenged.’’

Dunleavy added, “He’s more like the Judas of his people, selling them out for pieces of silver.’’

Dunleavy also rejects the notion that Newton deserves another shot at public office because he has repented from his sins. While saying that everyone deserves a second chance in life, Dunleavy says Newton should not be rewarded with a powerful seat in the 36-member state Senate in Hartford.

“Normally, the person who is redeemed and saved is humbled, and there’s not an ounce of humbleness in Ernie,’’ Dunleavy told Capitol Watch in an interview.

A veteran of 22 years on the Democratic National Committee, Dunleavy admits that the primary has gotten him charged up as the political juices are flowing.

“I’m sorry if I sound a little passionate about this,” he said.

But Newton strongly dismissed the comments by Dunleavy. He said that Dunleavy clearly lacks a sophisticated understanding of the political nuances of the city and what it takes to win the Democratic primary in the rough-and-tumble game in the Park City.

“I don’t know what Mr. Dunleavy is smoking,’’ Newton said. “I have no idea. He’s not from Bridgeport. He’s from New Haven. He sure doesn’t have a good grasp on the city. He really doesn’t.’’

Dunleavy predicted that Newton will place third in the three-way race, but Newton says that he will emerge victorious in the same way that he defeated Gomes in a special election in 2003 to fill the seat of the late Sen. Alvin Penn. In a clash of rhetoric and bravado, the candidates and their supporters all say they will pull out the victory on Tuesday.

Some Bridgeport insiders say that Gomes and Newton will split the African-American vote, allowing state Rep. Andres Ayala, Jr. to win the three-way race. But Newton, Dunleavy, former state legislator Chris Caruso and others sharply reject that theory. Ayala declined to provide his own grandiose theory, saying he is working constantly to get his voters to the polls.

Dunleavy declares that Gomes is the only candidate who has cross-appeal throughout the district and among African Americans, Hispanics and white voters.

“Ed will finish second among Hispanics,’’ Dunleavy told Capitol Watch. “Ernie and Ed are fighting for the East Side African-American vote. Ed wins the rest of the African-American neighborhoods. Our game plan is to win or finish second in every precinct.’’

He added, “Ernie’s predominant strength is on the East Side. Ernie has very, very little support in any Hispanic community or any white community. … Ernie has a very isolated base of support.’’

Despite the political back and forth, Dunleavy says he actually likes Newton on a personal basis, saying he is a hard guy not to like.

“Ernie is a likable rogue,’’ Dunleavy said. “He’s not Robin Hood. He’s not stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. … This is a guy who was selling his seat and went to jail for selling his seat.’’

Dunleavy said that Newton’s attitude is that ‘I should be elevated on angel’s wings back to my old seat.’ ‘’

Newton, though, said his numerous election victories and 17 years at the state Capitol showed him how to reach out to voters all across his hometown.

“I will show them better than I can tell them,’’ said Newton, who often speaks in the third person. “I won the nomination with black, white, and Hispanic, so I must have an appeal. All my data shows me is ‘Ernie, you’re doing very well in those areas.’ ‘’

He added, “Did Ed Gomes win in 2003? I beat Ed Gomes. He just barely won his district when he had his whole district. Numbers don’t lie. People do.’’

Newton added, “Every sinner has a future, and every saint has a past.”

A veteran of politics who worked on campaigns for Democrats Bill Clinton and Al Gore, Dunleavy has a long history in the party. Now a television commentator on FOX CT, Dunleavy avoids talking about the Bridgeport race on the air because of his heavy involvement in the contest. He has worked on campaigns at a high level, but he knows that the three-way battle in Bridgeport is quickly becoming a classic.

“For a state Senate race,’’ he said, “it’s a fascinating race.’’