The Connecticut Citizen Action Group has endorsed challenger Mary-Jane Foster in the Bridgeport mayoral race, potentially giving Foster some organizing muscle in the last two weeks of a campaign now in overtime, thanks to a court decision.

Few endorsements are game-changers, but a nod from CCAG usually brings expertise and volunteers. The statewide grass-roots group intially had decided to stay out of Foster’s contest with Mayor Bill Finch for the Democratic nomination.

The reversal was attributed to Finch’s successful push for the state to disssolve the elected local Board of Education and his relationship with a political action committee that has benefitted Finch, his chief of staff, Adam Wood, and their spouses.

“The people of Bridgeport deserve a mayor who embraces democracy and transparency. Mary-Jane Foster is that candidate and that is why CCAG supports her candidacy for Mayor,” said William Bloss, an attorney who is chairman of the CCAG board.

Foster was denied a place on the primary ballot, but a Superior Court judge not only gave her ballot access, but extended the campaign by two weeks, delaying the primary until Sept. 27.