Candidate faces hit & run charges

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) -- After weeks of trying to get her to answer to the hit and run charges she's facing, Tuesday Bridgeport State House candidate Christina Ayala appeared before a judge.

Tuesday she stood in front of a judge answering to charges related to a hit and run accident last month, but in November, Ayala could be representing the people of Connecticut as a state legislator.

Outside court News 8 asked her if she was staying in the race. She said, "no comment." So we went to ask her lawyer, Guy Soares if she's dropping out. He invited News 8 inside his office.

News 8's Erin Logan sat down with Ayala's attorney for a few minutes and asked him several times if we could record the conversation. He said no, but he did say she is 100 percent still running for office and he feels she received no special treatment.

Ayala's family is well-known In Bridgeport. Her mother is the Democratic Registrar of Voters and her cousin is a State Representative, so voters have been asking a lot of questions.

News 8 tried to get in touch with the Police Chief several times to ask if the arresting officer was related to Ayala. The officer has the same last name.

The chief never returned our calls, but a police spokesman says there's no relation. He also says if the officer thought for any reason Ayala was drunk or impaired they would have given her a breathalyzer test.

News 8 also stopped by to talk to Bridgeport's Democratic Town Chair Mario Testa. News 8 wanted to ask him if Ayala should stay in the race. His host said he was busy in the restaurant.

The host told us Mr. Testa was inside, so we left a name, number, and deadline and let him know we really needed to speak with him.

We got no response.

State Democratic Party Chair Nancy Dinardo never called us back either, but her Communications Director sent the following statement to us.

"Candidate Ayala has admitted she used bad judgment, and she did not commit a felony, so she can remain on the ballot. Ultimately, it's up to Bridgeport voters to decide."

Ayala will be back in court on October 16th. As it stands, she willl still be on the ballot as Democratic Candidate for the General Assembly in the 128th District.