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Mayor Of Connecticut's Largest City Endorses Clinton In Presidential Bid

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — The Democratic mayor of Connecticut's largest city is officially endorsing Hillary Clinton in her bid for the presidency in 2016, calling her the best candidate to build upon the policies of President Barack Obama.  

Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has been endorsed in her presidential run by Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has been endorsed in her presidential run by Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch.

Photo Credit: File

“Hillary Clinton is a strong and effective leader who has proven herself to be a true champion for hardworking Americans. I’m proud to announce that I’m officially supporting her campaign to be the next president of the United States,” Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch said in a statement Friday.

The mayor is a big supporter of Obama, hosting the president in a pre-election rally last November for Gov. Dannel Malloy. Obama was also included with the Finch family on the mayor's official Christmas card last year.   

Clinton must first gain the Democratic nomination. Finch also is seeking re-election as mayor this year and faces a primary challenge Sept. 16 from former Mayor Joe Ganim, who served seven years in federal prison on corruption charges.  

Finch cited Clinton's positions on issues such as growing jobs and fighting climate change in his statement.

In her first major policy speech as a candidate, Clinton laid out a proposal that includes: raising the minimum wage, supporting unions, defending and enhancing Social Security, investing in rail transportation and clean energy, giving fiscal incentives to businesses that create jobs, and holding businesses accountable.

“In order for cities like Bridgeport to continue growing and thriving, we need to double-down on making smart investments in the future,” said Finch.  “President Obama has done tremendous work in bringing back our economy from the brink. I’m confident that Hillary Clinton will continue making smart investments in the future.”

With significant investment from Obama’s Administration, Steelpointe Harbor is finally under construction in Bridgeport. Once complete, it will be a 2 million-square-foot regional waterfront urban destination with retail, restaurants, entertainment, hotels, housing units and office space as well as a marina. It will also be the first time the peninsula will have public access for Bridgeport residents in 100 years.

“I’m confident that Hillary Clinton will continue the trend that President Obama started in helping cities like Bridgeport make smart investments in the future, growing jobs, developing our economy, and moving toward a better tomorrow,” Finch said. 

On climate change, Clinton has stated that a top priority would be to fight efforts to roll back -- and to expand upon --Obama’s Clean Power Plan. 

“As the co-chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Task Force, I know all too well that growing cities like Bridgeport -- which account for significantly less pollution than suburbs -- are the key to a sustainable future in the U.S.,” said Finch. 

Obama’s recently released Clean Power Plan aims to beat back carbon dioxide emissions in the United States by 32 percent from 2005 levels by 2030.

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