Disgraced former State Senator Ernest Newton is seeking his old job back two years after finishing a prison term for corruption. In his first extended television interview since announcing his candidacy, the Bridgeport Democrat laid the foundation of his political comeback.

“I made a mistake, but my mistakes do not outweigh the good I’ve done. I’ve paid my debt to society.”

During a taping for Sunday’s Face the State, Newton talked about his time in prison, his drug past, and how he has actually been encouraged to run by his former constituents, despite the fact he’s a convicted felon. He said he hasn’t yet spoken with party chairwoman Nancy DiNardo, who has been publicly silent on Newton’s attempted political comeback. Newton told me has talked with Senate President Donald Williams, who “didn’t tell me not to run.” In fact, Newton said no one has tried to talk him out of running against current State Senator Edwin Gomes.     Newton added that he has the blessing of the Bridgeport party chairman, Mario Testa, whom Newton says told him he will win.

You can watch the entire interview with Ernest Newton, this Sunday morning at 11, only on Channel 3.     UPDATE:  here is the interview http://www.wfsb.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=6754742