A judge ruled Monday that a lawsuit seeking a new Bridgeport mayoral primary election can move forward, marking a legal victory for a group challenging the race.

Incumbent Mayor Joe Ganim won the race three weeks ago, but the lawsuit claims that Ganim's campaign workers pressured voters to cast absentee ballots for the mayor, instead of his opponent, state Sen. Marilyn Moore.

It also accuses volunteers of recruiting voters were weren't qualified to cast absentee ballots.

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The city sought to get the lawsuit tossed out. But late Monday afternoon, the judge said it could proceed.

A deputy attorney for the city says it's all about politics.

"I think this is nothing but a 'sour grapes' complaint by a group of partisan political activists," says Bridgeport Deputy City Attorney John Bohannon Jr. "These allegations are extremely vague. There's no proof of any of these things having happened."

The State Elections Enforcement Commission is also investigating absentee ballots in the Bridgeport primary. It has issued subpoenas for security camera video at several public housing complexes that Ganim volunteers targeted.

Testimony will begin quickly in the suit, as time is running out to hear the case -- the general election is just one month away. Voters will testify in the suit tomorrow.

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