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Bridgeport mayor won't run again

Mayor John Fabrizi announced Tuesday that he will not seek re-election this fall.
"I want to devote all of the remaining seven months of my term to finishing those?projects that we have started and continue to move this city even further ahead," Fabrizi said outside the Bridgeport City Hall Annex, surrounded by city employees and city council members. "I would not be able to do this in a campaign full of distractions." Fabrizi took office about four years ago, when former Mayor Joe Ganim went to prison on corruption charges. He then won the mayoral election in 2003. Ever since, controversy has followed Fabrizi. Last summer, the mayor publicly announced he had abused cocaine and alcohol while in office. He has also been criticized for speaking on behalf of an admitted sex offender.Fabrizi says he?s considered this decision for the past two months and decided it would be in the best interest of his family, his health and the city not to run again. He did say he would stay actively involved in the future of the city.As for who will succeed Fabrizi, Democrats Charles Coviello, City Councilman Bob Walsh and state Representative Chris Caruso have all announced their candidacies. Probate Judge Paul Ganim, the brother of former Mayor Ganim, may also run and will make his decision by July.