Bumgardner collects necessary signatures to move forward with Democratic primary for Groton City mayor
Groton — Town Councilor Aundré Bumgardner announced in a news release that he submitted a petition Monday with the necessary signatures to challenge City of Groton Mayor Keith Hedrick to a March 8 Democratic primary for city mayor.
City Clerk Deb Patrick said she received the primary petition with 168 certified signatures, and the city will proceed with holding a primary.
Kristen Venditti, Groton's Republican registrar of voters, said by state statute, a candidate needs 5% of electors on the active enrollment list, or 92 signatures in this case, so Bumgardner submitted more than was needed. She said the application was completed before deadline and brought to the registrars for certification, and he then brought it to the city clerk for filing with the secretary of the state.
“I want to express my gratitude to all of those across the city who are backing my effort to become their mayor and lead Groton into a new era of progress and prosperity,” Bumgardner said in a statement. "Gathering these signatures personally on residents’ doorsteps was not only a privilege, but a great opportunity to hear their concerns and desire for new leadership.”
Bumgardner, a former state representative for the 41st District who most recently worked as an outreach coordinator for the state treasurer, said in the release that signatures “represent a wide cross-section of the community, including Unaffiliated and Republican voters who changed their party registration to Democrat in order to vote in the primary.”
“It was very gratifying to hear from voters who value my work and experience as Town Councilor, City Planning & Zoning Commissioner and previously as their State Representative,” he said. “It was also exciting to hear from so many young, progressive, and racially-diverse voices in our community like myself who are looking for fresh ideas and a new direction.”
Bumgardner also said in the release that he is challenging Hedrick to a series of debates.
Hedrick, who has served in the Navy and as operations manager at URS/AECOM, is the chairman of the City of Groton Democratic Committee and is in his second term as mayor. He recently was endorsed by the Democratic Committee and is seeking his third term as mayor.
The City of Groton Republican Committee has said it is not putting forward a slate of candidates for the upcoming May city elections.
Bumgardner said in the release that he “fully supports the Democratic City Council slate.”
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