A former Connecticut state senator is now facing four criminal charges tied to an alleged absentee-ballot incident in Bridgeport, where authorities say he opened a voter’s completed ballot and directed her to change her vote to his brother.
Dennis A. Bradley Jr., who represented Bridgeport in the Connecticut Senate from 2019 through 2023, was arrested Tuesday following an investigation into the handling of absentee ballots during the city’s Aug. 11 Democratic primary. Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin announced the charges.
The case centers on a closely watched Democratic primary for probate judge. Incumbent Paul Ganim faced challenger Mark Bradley, who is Dennis Bradley’s brother.
According to investigators, a woman contacted Bridgeport police on Aug. 5 and then filed a complaint with the State Elections Enforcement Commission the following day. She alleged that Bradley came to her apartment, opened an absentee ballot she had already completed and instructed her to change her vote from Ganim to Mark Bradley. The SEEC later referred the matter to the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney.
