Delaware Political Weekly: April 14-20, 2012
1. Brad Bennett Is So-o-o-o Toast.
Bear in mind that I predicted he’d lose his reelection bid handily in 2010 after his first drunk driving arrest, in October of 2010, and I was wrong.
He got just over 50% of the vote, though, and there was a strong element of ‘we’ll give him one more chance’ in the equation.
That’s not happening this time, not with DUI Arrest #2 under his belt. First of all, he really could be expelled from the House. Second, he’s not exactly John Atkins in the charlatan/charisma department. Third, the whole story’s out now, how he ditched his wife, who just happens to be the daughter of a Kent County State Senator, for a Senate staffer, who just happens to be the daughter of a State Representative. Fourth, the main thing he had going for him in the first place was the fact that his dad had been a State Rep for a long time. Fifth, the one good thing that Bennett has done as a legislator has been to try to reform Kent County government which, needless to say, has not set well (use of ‘set’ deliberate) with Nancy Cook-style county cronies. They’re not rising to his defense.
As of last weekend, the 32nd District unofficially became an open seat.
I wonder who…waitaminnit, suh-prize, suh-prize, we now have an R candidate. One Ellis B. Parrott of Magnolia filed yesterday. He’s an attorney with a law practice in Georgetown. It appears that he used to be, or maybe still is, a Justice of the Peace. There is/was a magistrate by that name in Kent County. Could be his father, I guess. In fact, I think it’s likely. Some help here?
Just so you know, Bennett’s R challenger from 2010, Beth Miller, cannot challenge for this seat this year because, wait for it, she was drawn out of the district during reapportionment. Coincidence? I think not. Anyway, I hereby predict that Brad Bennett will withdraw from his bid for reelection. Lots of developments yet to come.
2. The 33rd Could Be Interesting As Well.
A classic swing district with a fairly conservative bent, this district swung to the R’s in 2010, with Jack Peterman ousting two-time Democratic incumbent Bob Walls, by a margin of 52.2% to 47.8%. It hasn’t been easy for Peterman to even secure the R nomination in the past, having lost to, I’m not making this up, Ulysses S. Grant, in the 2006 primary, and edging Steven Rust in the 2008 primary. Lost to Walls in 2008, beat him in 2010. In other words, Peterman is no electoral juggernaut, even among R’s. For that matter, neither was Bob Walls.
One John Kevin Robbins of Harrington has filed as a D to challenge Peterman. Based on past experience, this should be a competitive race.
3. There’s No Crying in Mayoral Debates.
The Wilmington Democratic Party has decided that a May 8 mayoral debate at the Queen will be limited to only those who have filed to run for the office. Four candidates have filed: Robert Bovell, Kevin Kelley, Bill Montgomery, and Dennis P. Williams. Four others who say they are candidates, Serena Gatewood, Rev. Derrick Johnson, State Sen. Bob Marshall, and Scott Spencer, have not.
I, for one, support the decision of the Party. You are not a candidate until you file and pay your filing fee. You may say that you’re a candidate, but you’re not. It’s that simple. While the fee, $4250, may seem onerous to some, it’s not that onerous, especially if you aspire to be Mayor of Wilmington. And, it entitles you to a line on the ballot. Like it or not, the parties run the primaries, and it has ever been thus. There have been numerous debates since the beginning of the year, so it’s not as if those who have not yet filed have not had the chance to be heard. But I think it’s to the point where the serious candidates for mayor need to be heard in more detail. You can’t be a serious candidate until you’re a candidate. You’re not a candidate until you’ve filed. At some point, either you file or you exit stage right. Either file or stop complaining.
4. Filings, We Have Filings.
Incumbent Henry Supinski, City of Wilmington Treasurer, a D obviously; D Robert Bovell, for Wilmington Mayor; and D Shirley Price, 38th Rep. District (open seat).
That’s it for this week. What’d I miss, and whaddayathink?
And just after you posted your article, Education Secretary Lowery quits.
I disagree that $4,250 is not onerous. If you live in Forty Acres and have that nice job with Dupont or Richards, Layton & Finger, maybe it’s not that bad. But for many others who may want to get involved with the political process, filing fees present an insurmountable hurdle to even consider running. Isn’t the political process supposed to be open to everyone? To me, this seems like a poll tax.
In other states, the fee for offices like governor and attorney general are a fraction of that, as low as $100 or even free.
According to FiredogLake, a candidate may get on the ballot in Delaware without paying the fee if he or she can establish indigence with the state election commissioner and then collect signatures from 1% of the registered voters in that district. (fdlaction.firedoglake.com/ballot-access-delaware/). I fear the term “indigent” discourages people from running because of its pejorative connotation. In addition, there are many people who fall between being able to pay the fee and indigent, those who are living one paycheck at a time.
I realize that filing fees were upheld back in 2003, but I agree with the man who challenged them, Steven Biener, that “Delaware’s filing fees do indeed scare people away. They discourage participation by minorities and those of modest means,” he wrote. “The Framers of our Constitution did not want wealth to be a factor in determining whom citizens could choose on Election Day.” (www.delawaregrapevine.com/jan-mar03stories/1-03%20post-election.htm)
I have a writeup of the last debate (from Monday) in progress and hope to post it in the next day or so. But there are other opportunities for debates too — there is one focused on letting kids ask the questions this Saturday at the Delaware Black Expo — 2:30 til 4, and there is another one on the 21st and I forget who is sponsoring it. But there will be lots of opportunities to debate and be in public, so file if you’re serious.
“Markell said he hopes to nominate a new secretary of education in time for the state senate to consider confirmation before it adjourns July 1.”
I nominate Mike Matthews.
Another Mike, I disagree with your disagreement about the $4,250 being onerous.
@Jason330, after reading Kavips, losing Lowery was no surprise. I wonder why Markell “hopes” to have a nomination by July 1st? What is it with Markell not having a Plan B? 🙂
When a state rep gets arrested for DUI the News Journal runs a classy looking headshot. When any normal citizen gets arrested for DUI, the News Journal runs the mug shot. Maybe when Bennett racks up number three, the News Journal will run the mug shot? He will probably be a regular citizen by then.
Nah–I think it’s file photos–the rest of us have mandated expressionless DMV photos, that make us all look like what file photos are guilty of doing. It’s a cruel world.
If you’d have read the initial story, you’d have known that Bennett wasn’t arrested. Ergo, no mugshot.
If Parrott is still a JP, then he needs to resign that position as JPs, Judges, etc. are barred from partisan politics.
My bet is that Spencer will not file – a repeat of what he did in 2010 when he was a “candidate” for Congress.
My guess is that this Parrott is the son of the JP Parrott. Saw a 2007 photo of the Kent County JP’s, and that Parrott looks like he’s at least 70. Think Jim Vaughn. So, I think it’s likely this one’s the fils to the pere.
If Bennett pleads or is found guilty, he will resign or be thrown out by the Dems. It might not even take that long, because in an election year with a Summer trial date there will be heavy pressure on him to let another Dem in the race. When is the filing deadline? And finally, did he dump his wife for a Repub’s daughter?
I’m pretty sure, and correct me if I am wrong, one cannot be thrown out of a political party.
Walt means he’ll be thrown out of the General Assembly, which absolutely will NOT happen. There’s far too much precedent of lawmakers drinking and driving without being punished in that manner for them to be able to oust him that way.
And no, Walt, it’s not the same as Atkins. Atkins’ ethical breach wasn’t drinking and driving, it was playing his “get out of jail free” card, compromising the state police by involving them in the incident and the offensive touching and intimidation complaints filed afterwards.
This mess is a situation ripe for any two-bit GOP challenger. All that’s needed is some statements about how we all have difficulties, and you wish Brad the best, but gee golly, don’t we deserve a rep who isn’t a repeat offender? He has to quit to keep from total disgrace at the polls. If he steps down now he can rehab himself and his image and try again in a few years after a Jesus thing.
For the Jesus thing thing to work, he’ll have to resurrect himself in a new district, most likely in western Sussex.
Anon there was probably no mug shot either time. He received citations. Admittedly this time several citations…. but most likely no mug.
Another Mike – I have to disagree with you since filing fees can be (must be?) paid through the campaign committee.
The filing fee isn’t a testament to how wealthy candidates are but goes to the point of how well they are able to raise money.
If your campaign can’t raise the cost of a filing fee, you’re not a serious candidate by any stretch of the imagination.
The filing deadline isn’t until July.
Walt, no, the rep in question is a D.
I disagree with Geezer. I think he may well resign. However, there might not be a Special Election as, if he resigns effective the end of this year’s session, the General Assembly will basically be out until next January unless there is a special session. I know that there has been a long dishonorable history of legislators drinking and driving, but it’s something they’ve really tried to address for the last few years.
Regardless of how it happens, I believe that there is no way that Bennett even runs for reelection, much less gets reelected.
By the way, Frank Sims sent around a note earlier this year of who in the Delaware General Assembly were members of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). The three ‘winners’ were Bennett, Hudson and Dan Short
Rep. E. Bradford Bennett (D-32); Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force
Rep. Deborah Hudson (R-12)[17]
Rep. Daniel Short (R-39), ALEC State Chairman[50]
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Daniel_Short
Nancy, it used to be that those participating in ALEC were reimbursed for their travel expenses, just like those who go to National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) events. While NCSL is non-partisan, corporate underwriting of its events are everywhere, there’s just not the direct tie-in with corporate interests that defines ALEC.
While I know that travel expenditures have been downsized, I would like to know whether tax dollars are still being expended to reimburse those legislators/staff who go to ALEC events.
Anyone have an answer for that?
El Som: Yes, he might resign, and should. My statement applied only to the idea that he would be publicly forced out by the party on an ethics charge. Won’t happen.
Rourke Moore filed for State Representative District 1.
Brad Bennett should have already resigned. Never mind I forgot that he’s a bottom feeder and a Demorat..
Joan Deaver filed for reelection today, running against Don Ayotte.
And she announced it at an event this evening in front of a crowd that consisted of both Republicans and Democrats. Of course it should be noted that one Republican thought it would be appropriate to ask Joan whether she supported Obama, as if there connection between supporting Obama and filling pot holes in the county! I’m surprised he didn’t whip out the Kenyan birth certificate to ask her about it!
This level of stupidity has gone beyond the pale. Unfortunately, many of these folks still have reproductive capability and could produce more of themselves. I don’t often rant, but the resident in the White House is so far removed from providing county services and other county business that for someone to think that a local county election event is the place for such nonsence displays a lack of maturity, intelligence, and common sense. The sad thing is, the guy did not even have consideration to be embarassed at his lack of class.
“The sad thing is, the guy did not even have consideration to be embarassed at his lack of class.”
ummm – probably because he is too stupid to know how stupid he is
typical for a RWNJ transplant from Sussex County – they ruined their own watering hole – now they want to foul ours
that is typical for the Sussex GOP far -RWNJ – like Bodie on his knees
or wih a hat in his hand…… pleading with COunty COuncil
what am embarassment and a buffoon
personally, between the foto of him wearing the while high-heels and the overy-dramatic diplayes and over the top rhetoric it seems as he missed his place in life……
on an off, off, off waaaay off broadway show…….. Usually this expression of Dramatics comes from a desire to be the center of attention coz they never got the right attention as a child
I think Bodie is in denial
Is there help available for him to come to grips with his denial issues?
He can restart as a Broadway actor –
I was at Joan’s announcement and it was packed, I counted over 120 people jammed into a small restaurant on the outskirts of Milton.
The moronic GOPer in the room did more than ask if Joan supported Obama, he stated that he was the only republican there, which was false, there were several, and he asked where the black people were, and was surprised when actual black people stood up and shouted “right here!” Did he think he was at a Sussex GOP meeting?
He was a total asshat and was probably sent there by Don Ayotte to ask Joan for her birth certificate.
I would also like to ask everyone to support Joan. Her opponent is a known liar with no political morals what-so-ever. He’s already lying about her and her record, so Joan needs money to fight the lies, and she needs boots on the ground to help get her message out.
Cheers to Joan Deaver! She was poised and well spoken, and the crowd must have exceeded her expectations, because they certainly exceeded the occupancy rate for the venue. Please do what you can to help her!
Parrott Sr. to run against Bennett:
http://m.delawareonline.com/news/article?a=2012204240331&f=1188
“I counted over 120 people jammed into a small restaurant on the outskirts of Milton.”
I stopped counting at 100 because my glass was empty and had to squeeze my way up to the bar. Still, good turnout for an exceptional person who makes it a priority to meet with constituents on a daily basis. I was not surprised that there were Republicans there, after all Joan serves all those she represents, even if they aren’t part of her posse.
Parrott is a retired magistrate. He has no biological son so this must be the father.