A fellow Democrat is challenging Mayor Joe Ganim to be the next Bridgeport mayor.

John Gomes filled out paperwork Thursday at City Hall to officially run against Ganim.

He worked for Ganim for several years but was laid off due to what the mayor's office called restructuring.

Gomes told his supporters Thursday that the city deserves better.

"We walk these streets and feel the frustration whether it's a simple light pole that's out or whether it's not clean enough or whether our neighborhoods are blighted," said Gomes.

Gomes says he wants to re-structure city government and make it more friendly and transparent for all.