There's no way to view Mary Rydingsward's defeat of city Democratic Party leader Elliott Nelson except as a rebuke to the party establishment.
After all, the town committee overwhelmingly backed Nelson.
No doubt some of Rydingsward's support came from women who feel like outsiders dealing with the male-dominated party leadership team.
But there's also no doubt that some of those votes she racked up came from Democrats of both sexes who feel left out or shunned by party officials who are largely loyal to Mayor Art Ward.
Rydingsward worked hard in this campaign -- but so did Nelson. Both of them put in the effort that winning requires.
But when a Democratic Party chair loses a political race that only rank and file Democrats can participate in, the outcome is not just a referendum on the boss. It's about something more.
And that something may spell trouble for Ward, too, when it's his turn to run again next year.
*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
48 comments:
the party may have backed nelson outwardly but it is obvious that internally people were not behind him. they are tired of the good 'ol boy politics that ward and his buddies have come to represent. i truly believe they believed they were untouchable. but as we saw last night, nothing is cast in stone.
It has predicted TROUBLE FOR ART
If I was Art I would start getting my resume ready.
How disappointing. Nelson is a good man and would have done a great job.
7:26 AM: Guess it's a good thing you are not Art.
Interesting that no credit was given to the men and women of the fire dept who so vocally supported Rydingsward. Nelson's former co-workers have worked endlessly in their support of Mary. Elliot's lackluster attempt to be elected to this position was laughable, and I'm glad the FD backed the most deserving candidate. Elliot has attempted to make light of it with his offensive comments about "the women vote" but the proof is in the pudding. Congrats to Mary Rydingsward!!
You just can't keep those women down now, can you, elliot. As far as your quote in the paper about running a clean campaign, I, for one, chuckled. Your campaign was straight out of the ward playbook.
"Interesting that no credit was given to the men and women of the fire dept who so vocally supported Rydingsward"
Get used to it. You were all just used by Ms. R and her mentor as a means to exact her revenge. Congratulations!
Looks like she drove Ward right out of town!
You people who see Ellen Zoppo's hand in every setback suffered by one of Ward's posse are pathetic.
Odin,
Ellen did guide Mary's campaign and from what I hear there were some intersting grass roots things that they did that might have made the differance in a low turnout.
So what's the problem with Ellen excersing her right to participate in a election?
Odin, if you honestly think that Zoppo had nothing to do with this, then I've got a bridge and some swamp land I'd like to sell you!
Not only did Zoppo run Mary's campaign, but she had her lap dogs working 24/7. Hell hat no fury like a woman scorned...and the City gets the short end of the stick. Nice!
3:02
Hopefully!
nice analysis Steve. I wish you did more of this. You nailed it on the head - this was about way more than the little ole Registrar race.
Ellen is not "scorned." Two years ago the voters spoke and didn't go with the endorsed candidate (her) and it was fine with Arty. Now the voters don't go with the endorsed candidate (arty's lapdog) and its not fine? This is the double standard that people are now sick of. They gave him a chance that first election and he has let us down time and time again.
Oh please! We already know Ward is going to lose his next election. He couldn't run for dog catcher in Bristol and win!
Did the committee vote for Nelson because they were afraid of Ward? Hummmm…well they may not have to be afraid much longer.
does being town chair make him "qualified?" I personally thought that was a stretch.
4:31: If you didn't see ward's handiwork all over nelson's campaign then you're blind! But that's okay with you. Anything to try to get Nelson elected. Ward's lapdogs were like a large roving pack! I don't think I've ever seen so many signs for a registrar primary let alone flyers and postcards! I guess he thought he could buy his way into office. Well, the citizens of bristol weren't taken by all the glitz and glamor. Nelson's camp obviously felt that Ms. Rydingsward was a real threat otherwise they wouldn't have spent so much money on a primary. All they can do now is lash out by bringing up EZ. I guess that's all you folks can ever say. It's getting tired and worn out and frankly, EZ knows her stuff. Jealousy comes in many forms and attacking someone who ran a clean campaign is just one form. It's clear who ran the smarter campaign and did it with next to no money. As far as I am concerned, the one with the brains got into office. She worked real hard and so did her supporters and it's a win-win for this city. NICE!
Nelson spent money. Ryingsward went door to door, face to face. The personal way is the best way. I was disturbed by Nelson's comment about the "women" vote. Sure, women came out but you need the male vote, too. Her appeal was across the board. Ms. Rydingsward will make a fine registrar of voters. Congrats, Ms. Rydingsward!
Elliot ran a copy of Arty's playbook and Mary ran a positive campaign with help from people in town who know campaigns. I think voters thought Ellen was too young but you have to admit her campaign stuff was first class.
Don't forget Mayor Ward was going to run as an independent if he didn't win the primary against Zoppy. It's always about what's best for him at the time. The man has no ethics.
LOL! I see the anti-Ward crew are just busting at the seams with joy over their victory (by a mere 20-something votes). Enjoy it now!
Cliff Block ,Kevin mcCauley,Your next Vote them out Ladies
I can't wait for Bruce Sushinski the leech to get hired as Mary R's assistant registrer. The guy is a lowlife, he got caught stealing public money by impersonating a court officer and, now he will have access to voter records. It is more evidence of Zoppo running things.
Hey 11:18....a victory is a victory! And yeah, we are enjoying it! Where were the veterans? Where were Arty's pals? What happened in Edgewood 77A Arty's home district? Where were the firemen? Oh yeah, that's right, its all our fault, not yours.
PS take down the damn signs already.
Unfortunately for us, Mr. McCauley is a representative of the City. His actions are regretable and an embarrassment to us all. I agree with the others who would ask for his resignation.
"Oh please! We already know Ward is going to lose his next election..."
Would that be just like how you knew Ellen was going to win the last one? LMAO!!! Don't count your chickens...
Elliot has no clue as to how many enemies he has made in this town by aligning himself with Ward , the antilabor democrat. Elliot used many of his former union buddies in order to get the democrat chairmanship and then proceeded to stab them all in the back. Though Mary is a better qualified candidate, this was purely an anti Elliot primary. Nelson is absolutey unelectable.
"A victory is a victory!"
Hahahaha!!! When Ward beat Zoppo a few years back, all we heard was about how marginal it was...guess it depends on whose ox is being gored?
Oh yeah, no one said it was your fault. We may have underestimated Ms. Z's enthusiastic need for payback. Believe me, it won't happen again.
PS The damn signs are down already. Guess you'll have to find something else to whine about! LMAO!
9:30
Wasn't McCauly the one who voted no confidence in Strortz?
Maybe Stortz wasn't so bad after all!
9:30: he has nothing to resign for, ward lackey. All he did was make a recommendation, pure and simple. The one who needs to be asked the tough questions is ward. Why didn't he bring his name forward? he obviously agrees with mccauly. Mccauly doesn't bring the name forward. This is getting stupid and annoying. there are five other councilmen. What was ward response to mccauly's e-mail? i'm sure there was one but i guess that's not news enough to print. again, one-sided journalism picking on the wrong side.
8:56 AM: Sorry, but McCauley wrote that vile e-mail all by his big self. The only person responsible for his self-righteous, self-serving behavior is himself. For once, he should grow a spine, stand up, apologize and RESIGN.
Pure and simple?
Well I must admit, he's definitely got the simple part down! His "recommendation," however was far from pure.
He needs to apologize (and then resign).
To 8:55AM~Some OR Most Of The Fire Dept. Most Likely Supported Mary Rydingsward Because...ELLEN ZOPPO TOLD THEM TO...I Have To Question, They Can Fight Fires and Not Ellen Zoppo???...Apparently, "You Fear What You Cannot Fight", Ellen Zoppo...And That's Exactly Where She Wants You...Believe Me...You Will Get Burned In More Ways Than One...I'm Just Gonna Sit Back and Watch...Have A Nice Evening.
P.S. Do You Ask Ellen How To Do Your Job...She's Telling You What To Do...Is That What They Call An EOE(Ellen's Opportunity Employer).
Why don't all these critics do something? Is it because you don't want to fail? Afraid you might have to face simalar critics like yourselves?
8:43 - ellen and her fire department puppet tom betivengo are sure costing me and the rest of us fire fighters a lot of time,money and frustration by getting greedy and going to arbitration. we lost our balls.
when will these people see that zoppo's hatred for ward is costing us money and benefits?
next contract should call for tommy's ouster and a new negotiating team. we need increased eye coverage for treatment of the black eye that we are wearing.
heed the alarm before the bell stops ringing for good.
To 10:54PM...From 8:43PM...
Well Said, I Hope For Most of Your Sakes That "You Smarten Up" and "See The Light",That Tommy Bentivengo and Ellen Zoppo Are NO GOOD! DO NOT Be Intimidated By Tommy Bentivengo and Ellen Zoppo...ALWAYS Remember, "NO ONE CAN INTIMIDATE You Without YOUR PERMISSION"...God Gave You A Brain and A Voice...USE IT or You'll Literally Lose Your Balls AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN...The BALL Is In "YOUR COURT", Unless YOU Surrender The Ball(Your Future)To Tommy and Ellen, You'll Be Their Puppets Again & Again & Again and The Bell Will Stop Ringing For Good...It's Up To You!
P.S. And, When Tommy Retires, Tommy/Ellen Will Still Be Pulling The Puppet Strings...You Either SPEAK UP(Which I Hope You Do) or Shutup and Live With It...Again, It's Your Choice! Good Luck!
burned firefighter, proud Dem:
I'm with you all the way. I love the cops and the firemen. I just hate McCauley!
God bless you!
10:44PM...Thank You and God Bless You Also. I'm Just Giving You A Head's Up That The Word Is Out...
Kevin McCauley, Craig Minor Or Ellen Zoppo Are Gonna Run Against Mayor Art Ward(If He Decides To Run Again). If Craig Or Kevin Win, Ellen Will Be Pulling The Puppet Strings Behind The Scenes and if Ellen Wins...The Citizen's of Bristol Will Be Like Robots and Believe Me That's What She Wants..."CONTROL" and "NO FLEXIBILITY"...Let's Hope This is Just A Rumor...
August 30, 2010 12:15 AM:
If it's not a rumor. I'll be voting in the Democrat primary for ART WARD!!
...and maybe I'll be running WITH him in the Democrat primary for city council!
9:37 am - Ditto!
I doubt that ellen has the nerve to get burned again by ward bashing her again - she'll put a patsy up like mccauley or minor to take the fall for her.
Craig Minor will be the annointed one.
10:36
I heard that Minor has worked out a deal so that Krawieki stays on.
Minor will need all the help he can get.
doesn't make a difference, both minor and mccauly danced to ellens beat up to now so don't expect anything different. the next time that either one of them thinks on their own without her input will be the first time.
3 great reasons for not being a democrat in Bristol.
10:05 - don't forget tommy bentivengo either.
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