Who’s Running – One Week To Go!
It’s time to update the Who’s Running list. Last week we saw that some GA seats were going unchallenged and yesterday we got a surprise retirement announcement. Have things changed in the last week?
U.S. Senate
Chris Coons has gained an opponent. It’s Libertarian candidate James Rash. Still no signs of Christine O’Donnell or Mike Castle.
U.S. House
This race has also gained an opponent. Libertarian Brent Wangen has filed and joins John Carney (D), Rose Izzo (R) and Glen Urquhart (R). No filings so far from Scott Spencer (D) and Michele Rollins (R). Yesterday’s News Journal featured an article on some of the first-time candidates in the race, with a large emphasis on Brent Wangen.
Statewide Office
Treasurer – Velda Jones-Potter (Incumbent) vs. Chip Flowers in the Democratic primary. Republican Colin Bonini has not filed yet.
Auditor of Accounts – Richard Korn vs. Ken Matlusky in the Democratic primary. Incumbent Republican Tom Wagner has not filed yet.
Attorney General – Beau Biden (D – incumbent) has no challenger yet.
State Senate – No changes from last week
State Senate District 1 – Harris McDowell is unchallenged
State Senate District 5 – Chris Counihan (D) vs. Cathy Cloutier (R – incumbent)
State Senate District 7 – Patty Blevins (D – incumbent) vs. Fred Cullis (R)
State Senate District 8 – Dave Sokola (D – incumbent) vs. Louis Saindon
State Senate District 9 – Karen Peterson (D – incumbent) is unchallenged
State Senate District 12 – Dori Connor (R – incumbent) is unchallenged
State Senate District 13 – David McBride (D – incumbent) is unchallenged
State Senate District 14 – Bruce Ennis (D – incumbent) vs. John Moritz (R)
State Senate District 15 – David Lawson (R) [Nancy Cook (D) incumbent]
State Senate District 19 – Joe Booth (R – incumbent) vs. Eric Bodenweiser (R) primary [no D challenger yet]
State Senate District 20 – Perry Mitchell (D) [George Bunting (D) incumbent]
State Representatives – Changes featured in bold
State Representative District 1 – Dennis P. Williams (D – incumbent) is unchallenged
State Representative District 2 – Hazel Plant (D – incumbent) is unchallenged
State Representative District 3 – Helene Keeley (D) is unchallenged
State Representative District 4 – Gerald Brady (D – incumbent) vs. Richard Carroll (R)
State Representative District 5 – Melanie George (D – incumbent) is unchallenged
State Representative District 6 – Debra Heffernan (D) vs. Tom Kovach (R – incumbent)
State Representative District 7 – Bryon Short (D – incumbent) vs. Judith Travis (R)
State Representative District 8 – Kathleen Rokosz (R) vs. winner of Quinn Johnson (D – incumbent) – Valeria Jones-Rabb primary
State Representative District 9 – Richard Griffiths (D) [open seat, Dick Cathcart (R – incumbent)]
State Representative District 10 – Robert Rhodunda (R) vs. winner of Dennis E. Williams (D – incumbent) – Kenneth Dargis (D) primary
State Representative District 11 – Greg Lavelle (R) is unchallenged
State Representative District 12 – Deborah Hudson (R) is unchallenged
State Representative District 13 – John Mitchell (D) is unchallenged
State Representative District 14 – Pete Schwartzkopf (D – incumbent) vs. Christopher Weeks (R)
State Representative District 15 – Valerie Longhurst (D – incumbent) vs. James Van Houten (R)
State Representative District 16 – J.J. Johnson (D) is unchallenged
State Representative District 17– Michael Mulrooney (D) is unchallenged
State Representative District 18 – Mike Barbieri (D – incumbent) vs. Terry Spence (R) [REMATCH!!!]
State Representative District 19 – Bob Gilligan (D) is unchallenged
State Representative District 20 – Francis Swift (D) [Manolakos (R) incumbent]
State Representative District 21 – Mike Ramone (R) is unchallenged
State Representative District 22 – Dave Ellis (D) vs. Joseph Miro (R – incumbent)
State Representative District 23 – Terri Schooley (D) is unchallenged
State Representative District 24 – Kay Gallogly (D) vs. Ed Osienski (D) primary [no filed (R) challenger yet]
State Representative District 25 – John Kowalko (D -incumbent) vs. Gordon Winegar (R)
State Representative District 26 – John Viola (D – incumbent) is unchallenged
State Representative District 27 – Jay Galloway (R) vs. winner of Earl Jaques (D -incumbent) – James Maravelias (D) primary
State Representative District 28 – Robert Carson (D) [confused here – incumbent is William J. Carson (D), relative?]
State Representative District 29 – John McCutchan (D) vs. winner of George Phillips (R) – Lincoln Willis (R) primary [open seat Pam Thornburg (R)]
State Representative District 30 – William R. “Bobby” Outten (R) is unchallenged
State Representative District 31 – Ronald Smith (R) [Darryl Scott (D) incumbent]
State Representative District 32 – Brad Bennett (D) vs. Beth Buzzell Miller (R)
State Representative District 33 – Robert Walls (D – incumbent) vs. winner of Harold Peterman (R) – Steven Rust (R) primary
State Representative District 34 – Jill Fuchs (D) vs. Donald Blakey (R – incumbent)
State Representative District 35 – Jim Westhoff (D) vs. David Wilson (R – incumbent)
State Representative District 36 – Russell McCabe (D) vs. Harvey Kenton (R) [open seat George Carey (R)]
State Representative District 37 – Frank Shade (D) vs. Ruth Briggs King (R – incumbent)
Representative District 38 – Gerald Hocker (R) is unchallenged
State Representative District 40 – Clifford “Biff” Lee (R) is unchallenged
Bottom line: not many changes from last week. Almost all the seats have a candidate. Supposed candidates O’Donnell, Spencer, Protack, Castle and Rollins have still not filed. Do any of the races look different this week?
Tags: DE-AL, DE-Sen, Delaware, General Assembly
Clearly Cathcart’s retirement makes a difference down in the 9th. Watch to see if Griffiths gets a primary challenger. It would not come as a shock to me.
Luckily for Rick, he is the endorsed candidate already. It will be interesting to see if someone that has not been involved down there decides to jump in, but it would likely be a hostile takeover.
In The 12TH District. James Christina Is Running. He Is A Libertarian.
George Edward Barnett of Bear just filed as a Libertarian for the 15th, facing off against incumbent Democrat Valerie Longhurst and Republican James Van Houten.
Lots of Libertarians coming out of the woodwork this year! Interesting. Maybe now the elections department will learn how to spell the party’s name.
Yep, James Christina is now appearing as a candidate.
OMG–I know George Barnett–he’s 75 yo, and decries all the money the govt. has spent on the “War on Drugs”. Good for him!!!!!
Re: chart above – there was no change from last week to this week in the 14th. Both Pete and Weeks have been filed for a while.
In new news today, Libertarian Matthew Flebbe has filed to run against Kovach in the 6th.
Libertarian Scott Gesty of Wilmington has filed for the 7th District.
Cathcart’s endorsed successor, John Marino, also filed today for the 9th.
Incumbent Republican Rep. Nick Manolakos also filed for re-election in the 20th, facing off against Democrat Francis Swift.
Really, I’m lovin’ all these Libertarians! That’s nine total for county, state and federal offices. They should make this election really damn interesting.
Updates today:
Libertarians have filed in RD6 (Kovach), RD7 (B. Short), RD12 (Hudson), RD15 (Longhurst). John Marino is now filed in RD9 (Cathcart) still no additional Dems there.
No sign of Castle, O’Donnell, Rollins or Spencer yet.
Did the Libertarians have a convention or sumpin’?
Yes, they did Joanne.
I have to say that so far it looks like a really tough year for Republicans in the House. They have 3 open seats to defend.
It’s actually four open Republican House seats: Cathcart (9th), Oberle (24th), Thornburg (29th) and Carey (36th).
Thanks for the constant updates about the filings!
You’re right Straight. I forgot about Carey. All of those seats could go Democratic.
Most interesting is Will McVay in the 32nd District. In addition to being the Libertarian candidate for State Rep, he has also filed for both the Dem and Rep primaries.
Libertarians are going to make an impact this year.
Thanks for the support!
“Libertarians are going to make an impact this year.”
LOL. Libertarians are the Cicadas of Delaware politics. They come out every four years to chirp a little bit, then disappear.
‘They come out every four years to chirp a little bit, then disappear.’
Not this time,,,, 🙂
So tell us, Scott, what are you going to do to gain attention this year?
@Unstable Isotope
Aside from challenging the two-party candidates in their primary in addition to the general election, down here in Kent County and specifically in the 32nd District, the Libertarians are becoming and will remain a force to be reckoned with. I’d advise the two major parties to adjust their governing stances and style of politics accordingly.
If you’re actually interested in what we’re going to do, you’re welcome to attend any of our monthly meetings. New Castle will meet on July 18th, 6:30pm at Panera Bread on Kirkwood Hwy. Kent County will meet July 20th, 7pm, at the Uno near the Dover Mall.
Every four years? Clearly we’re early this time…
@jason330
Keep your head in the sand.
@matthewflibbleflabble,
Boring. Every election the libertarians say, “this is the year we make a big breakthrough” and every election they get 20 votes.
That’s cute, but we got more than that in ’08, for president, before the electorate stopped trusting both of the major parties. Now, they don’t trust Republicans following their ’00-’08 stint, and don’t trust Democrats following their ’06-’10 stint.
I’m not saying we’re going to win every race, but I think your “cicada” analogy will prove itself to be false. As will your estimate of our final vote tally.
The over/under for votes cast for Libertarians in Delaware in 2010 is 55. Anybody want the over?
Since when did 40 come after 38? Any news on what is going on in the old 39th? Any challenges out there to Danny Short?
This list has since been updated on the DOE website to include both the 39th and the 41st. Short has filed in the 39th, with no Democrat foolhardy enough (yet) to come forward. Seriously, it’s almost like “Why bother?” The guy’s more popular and has more local connections than Tina Fallon. Chapman, Sternberg, Semper … good candidates, all turned roadkill under his tire tracks.
But the seat will open up in two more years when Venables decides to finally retire and Short gets the Senate seat he’s always wanted. Then the House race will be a free-for-all. I could see Mike Vincent trying to make a move from Sussex Council, or Rhea Shannon or Leanne Phillips-Lowe from the Seaford city council tossing their hats in the ring.
Keep in mind that the districts will look distinctly different in 2012. You can bet that, if candidates put in solid performances in challenging districts (Westhoff, for example), they could well have much more hospitable districts in two more years. Some of those Sussex districts were downright bizarre, courtesy of Wayne Smith. I think you can definitely look for one more predominantly eastern Sussex district next time.
Having a Libertarian Party is kinda like forming the Amalgamated Brotherhood of Anarchists.
@ Geezer
What makes you say such a thing? Are you That much Worried? Sounds like the Liberals are worried that this could be the sound of the bell. For whom the bell tolls. For as what I’ve been reading.Both of the Big to seemed worried.
Why bother responding? Nothing I say is going to change your mind, or even make you acknowledge reality. Your comment is like someone coming into the room in clown makeup and lamenting, “Why won’t anyone take me seriously?”
FWIW, I’m against both major parties as currently run. It does not logically follow that the answer is a minor one. The quickest route to power is to take over one of the major ones.
We’ve got the Libertarian version of ‘Day of the Locusts’.
To the yowling pack of Libertarians seeking attention here, we’ve seen the movie before, and we know how it ends.
There’s a certain ‘weirdness’ factor that makes them interesting, in a Tea Party sort of way, but they always end up as dead as the Martians in ‘War of the Worlds’, metaphorically speaking, and, other than the bravado being peddled here, look completely poised for yet another predictable electoral denouement.
How can we fear something when we DON’T CARE ABOUT IT?
A THIRD McVey is running – a woman, for Kent Levy Court.
Is the newest McVay also running on every party line?
Oy ‘Vay!
If Democrats did not Fear and or Care about Libertarians. Then Democrats would not write and or respond to what we say her. So now with that said. I know for a fact . You do Care and do Fear what is coming down the road and No its not as you all like to call it. (Locust). Its called “CHANGE”. Something that Scares The Living Hell Out Of You Democrats and for that mater Republicans…
I fear Libertarians as much as I do bugs flying smacking into my windshield.
@ nemski go stick your head back in the ground
Buzzz, buzzzz, buzzzz, SWAP!
I can Smell the Fear in you.
Okey-dokey, Obi-One-Vote.
Anyway If you have something with intelligence to say. Then say it if not. We don’t care.
Rich.
Okay, how’s this for intelligent . . . Libertarians will not win one State House or State Senate seat this election cycle.
I hope DL is at least getting revenue in exchange for all this takeover advertising here, on Delaware LiberalTarian.
OK. Now you at least made a attempt at a intelligent sentence. Now what evidence do you have. To support the sentence that you have written?
How many Libertarians does it take to screw in a light bulb?
None. The Market will take care of it.
More words from the peanut gallery
Evidence? How about Life.
Smitty,
Do you really think this is helping the Libertarians cause? So far most of the comments are “be afraid,” “you’re afraid” and “you’re stupid.” I’m not sure how to sell that platform. They’re not even linking to their campaign websites.
one again. You are showing your lack of Intelligence.
Libertarian,
What evidence do you have of a Libertarian wave in the state this year? Polling, donations, anything?
Actually, that joke is very intelligent.
How am I afraid and stupid? Could you back that up with any proof?
Libertarian,
You’re the one posting comments that we are afraid and we are stupid.
What makes you so sure that Libertarians will not win any seats. What makes you say that Dems and Repubs are the only seat winners?
The word Stupid was never posted by me. Thank You.
What I said is that you must be Afraid and or Fear Change.
UI –
No, but this does remind me of the Home State (One State, Something State) project of several years ago, of the Libertarian Party, PRE-Bob Barr’s infiltration. That’s where DE and (I believe) VT (could have been NH) were the two finalist for the targeted concentration of party members to locate or something like that. The New England state won and there was a pop for the party. It still didnt’ result in final numbers on election day, but there was a difference. The swarming of Delawre LiberalTarian makes me think of just that, but on a much smaller scale, of course.
I will say, though, that there is an attempt to use you (plural) going on here. It’s a little humorous, but at the same time a face palm, because when you all dare to question, it is you who aren’t supposed to be offended, yet it’s your blog that they’ve attempted a takeover (that’s the face-palm part).
All in all, this is becoming an impressive effort on the state’s Libertarian Party. I don’t think I’ve seen this much of a concerted effort on their behalf ever. While I can chuckle and facepalm all I want, I give them credit. They’re finally getting out there in more number and they’re making it viral; hence, your new blog name: Delaware LiberalTarian.
😀
Has a Libertarian candidate ever won a seat in Delaware? From dog catcher to Governor. If so, who and when. Just wondering.
Matter of fact, I hope a Libertarian has actually won an election here in the First State.
Well I had fun Kids but its time for me to leave. I’ll be back later for some more fun chats with all of you.
Remember Change does come along here and there. This year I belive it to be.
Ok last post I realy do have to go. Who whould you rather see win A Libertarian or a Republicon?
From my perspective, if it is a true Libertarian and not one that would glam onto the Republican side of the aisle, than a Libertarian. But we know that would never be the case.
I can’t tell the difference between a Libertarian or a Republican most of the time. Who would the Libertarians caucus with?
Who would the Libertarians caucus with?
The Cicada’s, the swallows of Capistrano and the fans of Olympic curling and luge.
If that’s a taste of what kind of intelligence the Libertarians would bring to governing, it’s pretty clear why they have trouble cracking triple digits in most elections.
I’ll take on some of the Libertarian v Republican.
It was a handful of years ago I had a genuine interest with the Libertarian Party. While I didn’t subscribe due to the absolutist tone of platform, I was in tune with the idea of less is more. Now, I am no government-can-fit-in-a-tub-drain kind of person, but I firmly believe less-is-more is viable, but only when the perverted hogs of greed are kept at bay. Whoops, there’s my pragmatic side showing up again.
On their social-issue policy, I was pretty much in-line. Some of the views are a bit anarchic, meaning some leave way too much to human nature and that wouldn’t be good; however, it made ‘choice’ under the scope of Constituional freedoms (you still can’t incite riots, hate speech with the intent to harm, etc) very much a platform to support. DADT? Forget about it, because everyone is OPEN to serve. Gay Marriage? What debate? Marry away. Drug use (so long as it does not impact anyone but self)? Toke it up. Er…not trying to get into a drug use debate here, just illustrating. All you meth lab wannabes can go back into your basements.
However, in the post-Barr infiltration, the Libertarian of yesteryear is history. Somehow, someway, a social-conservative conscience invaded the party. It’s another face-palm moment, in that the Libertarians of ten+ years ago wouldn’t be caught dead with some of the social-conservatism that newer members put out there. Of course, not every member is in that mold. Many are still from yesteryear, but many are new and changed the view.
So, back to the question, but I will change the wording, the difference between a neo-Libertarian and a neo-Con? Not much, not much at all. The difference between a tradtional-Libertarian and a traditional-Republican? Mostly the social policy (and international policy, but I didn’t cover that). Republicans, believe it or not, aren’t as far to the right on fiscal policy, though.
I have posted a link to my website, try clicking on my name. There are 3 McVays running in Kent County, in total, two of them are my parents. I’ve dragged them into the race to help boost turnout, but they have not filed for the two primaries.
Should I manage to win this election, I will not caucus with either party. My intention is to serve as an arbiter between them to the best of my ability, tempering both of their lesser impulses and encouraging them to support smaller government and more freedom for the citizens of Delaware.
There is also a reason I’ve filed for both primaries, and that is because I believe that the Libertarian message of smaller, less intrusive government can appeal to both sides of the aisle. While Libertarians are often more fiscally conservative than Republicans, we are also more socially liberal than Democrats. That is, of course, an oversimplification as there are some stances the Libertarian Party supports which are neither conservative or liberal, but just…libertarian.