Former Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim, who spent seven years in prison for corruption, said has filed an exploratory committee to look into running again for mayor. He made the announcement this morning on the "Chaz & AJ in the Morning" radio show.

Ganim previously asked the Democratic town committee for support at the party's nominating convention this summer, according to reports last month and current Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch urged him to abandon his comeback bid.

A representative from the campaign said Ganim has been thinking about running since January when he spoke at a church. In the last month or so, he has met with community members and feels enough people want him to run.

Ganim was convicted of 16 corruption charges, including steering city contracts in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars in expensive wine, custom clothes, cash and home improvements, and sentenced to nine years in prison in 2003. However, his sentence was reduced after he participated in a drug treatment program.

Ganim's campaign representative said he has admitted his mistake and has asked the public to allow him to make amends.

While in office, Ganim was a popular mayor and was often credited with reviving Bridgeport as it emerged from bankruptcy.

Ganim, first elected in 1991, was serving his fifth term when he was indicted in 2001. He had ambitions to become governor.

