Delaware Liberal’s Endorsements For The Primary Elections

Filed in Delaware, Featured by on August 10, 2022

We proudly endorse this group of Democratic candidates.  In addition to being well-qualified, these candidates have exhibited empathy, a trait sorely lacking, especially among those in House leadership.  Our interactions with them have convinced us that they are truly good people who are running for the right reasons. We strongly encourage you to support them and to donate:

STATE AUDITOR:  Lydia YorkIn addition to her sterling credentials, York has promised to do the job of Auditor, something that hasn’t been done since Dennis Greenhouse was in office.  She is committed to restoring transparency and credibility to an office that has been beset by scandal and incompetence under the current and recently-convicted incumbent.

6TH SENATORIAL DISTRICT:  Russ HuxtableHe has led a selfless life of service.  Please read the highlighted bio, I find it inspiring.  He would immediately become an indispensable resource on affordable housing in the State Senate.  He has a great chance to win the General Election as well to flip this seat that has been held by the retiring Ernesto Lopez to the D column.

1ST REP. DISTRICT:  Shane DarbyWhen the chips were down, the incumbent representative cast his lot with Mayor Mike and Buccini/Pollin. Meaning, he offered support for the destruction of traditional neighborhoods and giving the white power structure free reign to do whatever they wanted.  Shane has made clear that she will stand with the communities in opposition to the relentless Buccini/Pollin-ization of Wilmington.

6TH REP. DISTRICT: Becca CottoThe contrast between the two candidates here couldn’t be starker.  Not only has Becca helped to elect progressive candidates to office, she has fought for racial and economic justice, and, in fact,  is the Executive Director of the Delaware YWCA Racial & Social Justice Program. She has pledged to never accept any corporate PAC donations.  Her opponent is funded by those PAC’s, especially those who habitually pollute our land, water and air.  That’s why she buried vital environmental legislation in her committee this year.  Much more on this race tomorrow, where you will see the blatant contrast between the two candidates and the two campaigns.

13TH REP. DISTRICT: DeShanna Neal. We were blown away by her soft-spoken, yet powerful, presentation at the Working Families Party Candidates’ Forum.  What a breath of fresh air she would be in Dover.  She is literally running against one of the Kop Kabal leaders.  She has a great chance to win. Her victory would go a long way toward breaking the stranglehold that the regressive leadership has on the House Democratic Caucus.

18TH RD. Sophie PhillipsIt takes a lot to fill the shoes of David Bentz, one of the most effective progressive stalwarts we’ve ever had in Dover.  Sophie is up to the task.  She embraces unity and diversity and has worked on behalf of, well, let’s hear her in her own words:

As a community leader, I have worked with environmental and social impact groups throughout the state to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. I have organized grassroots projects, including community gardens (Southbridge!) and women’s empowerment workshops. I have formed meaningful relationships with local, state, and federal legislators to demand more equitable policy, and will continue to work with them to improve our district and state. I have the background in science and policy to make a difference for our community and ensure that everyone has a voice.

She also has the leadership skills to make a major impact in a short amount of time.

25TH RD. Cyndie RomerIt takes a lot to fill the shoes of John Kowalko, one of Delaware’s most forceful progressive advocates. Well, if you check out her bio, you’ll see her advocating for abortion rights and gun safety.  Rep. Kowalko has endorsed her.  She reminds me a bit of Sen. Kyle Evans Gay.  Meaning, someone ready to assume a lot of responsibility right from the start.

26TH RD. Madinah Wilson-AntonA fierce progressive champion who has pissed off the right people.  I believe that Madinah was the only legislator to demand accountability for both Gerald Brady and KMG.  Her ethics and sense of right-and-wrong are beyond reproach.  And she’s one of the most intelligent legislators in Dover. The Delaware Way denizens, who view her ongoing success as an existential threat to their continued dominance, have recruited a RWNJ-turned-Democrat to challenge her.  There will no doubt be a lot of Delaware Way $$’s going to her opponent.  We need her back, and we must have her back.

27TH RD.  Eric MorrisonI admit it:  I questioned whether Eric could be effective in Dover.  I was wrong.   Not only has he been an effective legislator and a constituent service machine,  the only impediment standing in his way to becoming an even more effective legislator is the Kop Kabal that did everything in their power to stop him.  Now they’ve recruited an ex-cop to run against him, an ex-cop who went to high school with, wait for it, John Carney.  They’re serious about this race, and we must be as well.  We take care of our own.

32ND RD: Kerri Evelyn Harris. She took on Tom Carper when nobody else would.  She has helped to build the grassroots infrastructure that continues to elect progressives to office.  Her victory would go a long way towards unifying the fractious House Black Caucus, which would likely cause a change in the leadership of the entire House.  No, this race is not easy.  But it’s eminently winnable.  If you live in the Dover area, this is the campaign to work for.

NCC DISTRICT 1Brandon Toole.  Everybody wins now that the Woods family has abandoned their ill-deserved sinecure.  But only if Brandon Toole is elected.  He triumphed over the old guard hacks to get the endorsement, and he is closely aligned with progressive leaders in the Democratic Party.  Retired firefighter Frank Maule was the old-guard choice.  Based on his Twitter page, he’d rather be in Aruba.  For the 18th time. Literally.  Give us someone who is, you know, engaged.

These candidates have been endorsed by:

Mark Brunswick

Al Mascitti

Jason Scott

Steve Tanzer

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Comments (36)

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  1. Tom Baker says:

    I could never vote for Shane Darby because of her hatred of the Wilmington police.

    • Alby says:

      Yeah, see, this is a liberal site, and you’re not going to find much sympathy by mindlessly backing the blue here.

      I can’t speak for others, but I don’t hate the Wilmington police, and we don’t know if Shane Darby does, either. I want them held accountable. Like all police agencies in this state, they are not.

      If you don’t want police held accountable, you not only don’t belong here, you don’t belong in the Democratic Party.

      • El Somnambulo says:

        Oh, and the dominance of the police in House leadership has prevented even the most modest police reforms one could imagine.

        Getting rid of that leadership would at least hold police accountable to some extent.

        So, thanks for helping to make our point for us.

    • Joe Connor says:

      Shane’ is a single black mother of 3 girls in the city which is largely policed by white nonresidents. The real question is. how safe do she and her neighbors feel?

  2. El Somnambulo says:

    Man, this Deb Heffernan is a piece of work. She just sent this out:

    “Climate Change is a massive threat to equity, our natural resources, the economy, and our lives. I am currently one of the co-sponsors of HB 220 (which, of course, is dead), which is the green amendment, and we will work tirelessly to get it passed next session.

    I also pledged to not accept any contributions from the fossil fuel industry in my current and future campaigns.”

    This, of course, is AFTER the Delaware City Refining Corporation, who has contributed to her campaigns multiple times, successfully lobbied AGAINST legislation that Deb buried in her very own Natural Resources Committee. Anyone think she’s just had the light bulb go on? Don’t take my word for it. Just see for yourselves:

    https://pirs.delaware.gov/#/employer/view/2007076

    The bills they lobbied against in Deb’s committee? HB 466 and SB 305. Oh, that green amendment? They helped Val kill that in the Administration Committee. You will find out next week just how closely aligned Deb and Val are on an anti-environmental agenda. Not just words. PICTURES.

    • Arthur says:

      maybe, MAYBE, 10% of the electorate actually know how a politician votes and bases their votes on that will know how horrible Deb is. The other 90% vote for her because “i know her name”, “she showed up at my kids (insert sport, club, activity, etc) and was sooooo nice”, “she helped get a stop sign installed on my cul de sac”. What she actually does and what she says she will do are 2 different things.

      • El Somnambulo says:

        Maybe, MAYBE, shining a light on what a politician does provides voters with info that they will use.

        What’s your point? Don’t bother?

        The very fact that Deb felt the need to try to give herself some environmental props says to me that shining that light is having an impact.

        • Arthur says:

          I agree 100% but my guess is whomever is reading this blog is part of the 10%

          • El Somnambulo says:

            I’ve been knocking doors in that district since January (with a significant hiatus when I got my new hip). Every contact matters in a grassroots primary.

            People receive information in a variety of ways. The more diverse you can be in breaking through the wall of white noise, the more successful you’ll be.

            You only have to see the success that progressive challengers had in 2020 to see that well-organized grassroots campaigns work. Especially since, once you identify your voters, you are best able to motivate them to get out and vote.

    • East Side Hustler says:

      What about the 2nd RD? I hope Del Libs ain’t endorsing Stephanie T. Bolden. I spoke with James Taylor at my door last week. Me and my neighbors are voting for James. Del Libs, got no love for James?

      • El Somnambulo says:

        We support the defeat of Stephane Bolden. We’d be very happy if Taylor defeated her. What are you seeing out there?

  3. RE Vanella says:

    That’s very funny, Tom. Or should I say officer Baker? Thank you for sharing.

    Shané rules.

    • Nick says:

      Is this definitely not a Shane supporter posting incognito, because it makes her look pretty good. 😉

  4. ScarletWoman says:

    El Som, I’ve always thought you were hip, regardless of the status of your physical structures. Will Cotto be having a thing in the district soon? Heffernan has been uber visible lately after a long period of dormancy. I haven’t had the opportunity to meet Becca in person yet. However received a letter from her that could have been way better-written.

  5. Greg P says:

    What really differentiates Bucchioni and Huxtable in SD6?

  6. Sandy Spence says:

    Thanks for endorsing Russ Huxtable for Senate District 6! He’s a terrific guy and will make an outstanding Senator for Delaware. And he has the best chance of flipping District 6.

  7. Kent says:

    No 14th Senate?

  8. Sussex Worker says:

    Delaware Stonewall PAC announced its endorsements today. Relative to the September 13 Primary, they endorsed Lydia York for State Auditor
    Russ Huxtable for 6th Senate
    Kyra Hoffner for 14th Senate
    Cyndie Romer for 25th House
    Madinah Wilson-Anton for 26th House
    Eric Morrison for 27th House
    Kerri Evelyn Harris for 32nd House
    Brandon Toole for NCC Council 1

  9. Joe Connor says:

    Another note on the Stonewall event. A black woman was honored. The first Black Board member was introduced, Deshanna, and she introduced the Black woman who was the keynote, Marie Pinkney. It was inspiring!

  10. jason330 says:

    With the endorsements of Becca , Shane’ and Deshanna – each of which is challenging a do-nothing incumbent – it seems that Stonewall is finally throwing off its “We got ours – fuck y’all” centrism.

  11. The MoMo says:

    RE: Stonewall – I was surprised to see no AG endorsement… did I miss some grievous error by Jennings?