HUGE BREAKING NEWS: Terry Schooley to Retire
Representative Terry Schooley (D-23rd) has announced in an email to her RD Committee that she is not seeking reelection. Her email reads in part:
Eight years ago I was elected to the Delaware House of Representatives after having served for nine years on the Christina Board of Education. Serving the public has been a rewarding and fulfilling experience; however, I have recently come to another career crossroads that has presented me with an opportunity but a difficult decision. My husband Kit retired last year and I stepped down from my position as Director of KIDS COUNT in Delaware this January. While I relish the opportunity to undertake the legislative work that lies ahead, I also feel it’s time for me to step away from elective office, spend more time with my family and look for new ways to serve. Therefore I am announcing that I will not seek re-election this November.
Before the General Assembly gets into hectic work before the June 30 end of session deadline, this is normally the time for such retirement announcements. Brad Bennett announced his decision not to seek reelection earlier this week, although that decision was prompted by much different circumstances.
So who is going to run in the 23rd? It is a Democratic district, so I expect it to stay blue.
Hip City!
Her retirement is a blow to the progressive cause.
We can only hope that her replacement is as good as Rep. Schooley.
Odds are they won’t be better.
I think she’s been a superb representative, and I sure wish her all the best.
This district is likely in play. While it leans D, it’s not through-and-through blue.
However, it would probably take a Sorenson-type of R to win this U of D-influenced district.
I admire any legislator who acknowledges when it is time to get out as opposed to milking the job for decades. Best of luck to her.
Ezra Temko v. Paul Pomeroy?
Hip City Part 2.
http://www.wvud.org/onair.htm
Pretty good speculation, Josh. Certainly possible.
Lot of good D’s in that district – Paul Baumbach, Jerry Grant, Ezra (as josh mentioned)…. Anyone heard nibbles?
El Som,
You remember Pomeroy when he was much younger. If the R’s need a decent left-handed pitcher on their roster, he might fill the bill.
Agreed?
Paul Baumbach PLEASE!
Doesn’t Elisa Diller from NCC Council live in the 23rd?
Agree, Mediawatch. Isn’t Pomeroy related to the Soles family? I’m pretty sure he is. Not even sure if he’s an R any more.
Forget that-is he still a decent L handed pitcher? 🙂
So, if her replacement is a guy, and nothing else changes, we have a total of 14 females in the combined House and Senate, and one statewide (who’s targeted for removal).
Oh, yeah. Delaware is all kinds of blue. Glad *I* don’t have to worry my pretty little head about it. And it’s so important that the delegates to the Democratic convention meet quota. Because of Democratic commitment to equal representation, and all.
@JM: Good to see another fan of HCP2. I’m not sure Jerry would want to give up his job to run for the office, though.
@Geezer — But Jerry’s day job is in the House. (http://legis.delaware.gov/legislature.nsf/Lookup/Contact_HouseStaff?open) Better, I’d think, to be sponsoring bills than researching them. I bet El Som would agree.
“Better, I’d think, to be sponsoring bills than researching them.”
I’m not so sure of that. Full-time job with some security vs. part-time job with less, and he’d have to quit his full-time job if he won. Jerry spent time on Newark City Council, so he’s aware how time-consuming elective office can be.
I’ve known Jerry for 35 years and would vote for him in a heartbeat — he’s smart, sensible and cares about people. If he jumps in, I’m behind him 100%. I just don’t think he’ll jump in.
If this were two years from now, I’d consider running. Right now, however, I live across the street from the edge of the district, and I can’t, and I’m busy. Oh well.
she thanked the lobbyists: http://www.dehousedems.com/audios/Schooley_-_Retirement_announcement.mp3
ugh.
I just filed to run.
Good luck Paul!
If you are interested in working on my campaign team, email me at paul.baumbach.23@gmail.com
thanks
Back in 2008, when I was still a student at the University of Delaware, Paul was a huge help to our “Students for Obama” group. He offered us his office to use for phone banking and even organized rides up to Philadelphia for our members to do door to door canvassing.
Paul will be a very formidable candidate and an even better legislator once he’s elected. He’s an outspoken proponent of progressive causes and his financial advising background offers him an unique perspective on economic issues.
Jerry Grant just filed as well.
J
PAUL !!!!!!!!!! SO GREAT TO HEAR! Count me in to help in any way I can, buddy. I see Grant is in as well but I am going with the guy who stands and fights for what I believe in every day and in every way.
Geezer: “I’ve known Jerry for 35 years and would vote for him in a heartbeat — he’s smart, sensible and cares about people”
I agree 100% on Jerry’s qualities. I am pleased that the 23rd RD voters have a choice on who they wish to represent them. I am committed to a 100% positive primary campaign, and if the voters choose Jerry on September 11th, he will have my full support in the general election campaign.
I consider Jerry a friend, and would like him to consider me a friend on September 12th, whichever way the votes go.
High-quality race shaping up. Newark residents are fortunate.
Like Paul and Lisa, but love Jerry. He has the maturity, breadth, intelligence and power of persuasion.
so hearagain, what you’re saying is that only women should be able to run to replace Schooley?
I got soul, and I’ve got a Super Pac.
Um, no, MJ. I’m saying that Delaware, in general, is failing to develop the talented women they have as viable candidates for public office, and that the Democrats aren’t better than the GOP for that.
It’s kinda like that equal pay thing. 😉
Wasn’t it sad for you when Barney Frank retired? Was for me. A diversity of life experience makes our elected officials more informed. Delaware should be small enough that we embody that, imo. Therefore I take losing a woman in a slightly different way than I take losing a “D.”
@heragain–
Where are these “talented women” who are “viable candidates for public office”, and why is it someone else’s job to “develop” them?
I’d happily vote for a female “viable” female candidate, and judging by quality of our male candidates, it shouldn’t be terribly hard to find one, yet we get pieces of shit like KWS, and they somehow get elected!
As for Barney Frank, did his “life experience” as a gay man make him a better representative of his district? Perhaps, but he’s been a whore for Wall St. just like the Republicans and Clinton Democrats are. I really don’t care who anyone sleeps with/loves/whatever, but the congressional page scandal is yet another stain on Frank’s record.
Totally off topic, can someone explain to me why Boston voters love mush-mouthed politicians? Tom Menino can’t speak a coherent sentence, yet he his continually reelected as mayor, and Frank is difficult to understand with his awful lisp. Boston voters have been reelecting Frank since the ’70s.
Jerry Grant is a great guy, and would make a great representative.
Paul, I have the utmost respect for you. If you win the nomination, I’ll support you. But, I worked in the office right next to Jerry’s, we talked all the time, I know what a great progressive he is, and I’m thrilled that he’s running. I’ll be writing him a check.
Besides, how could anyone expect me, a child of the sixties, NOT to support someone whose campaign theme song will undoubtedly be:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJKnr3axayg
I do agree with you, Paul, that, however this turns out, we need to unite behind the winner for November.
Actually, I’m going to miss Barney more for his speaking ability than for him being an out, gay Congressman. And hopefully we’ll have Tammy Baldwin in the Senate next year.
MJ, please define “speaking ability” as it applies to Frank.
I can’t see how anyone could praise Frank’s speaking ability if one defines the term as “the ability to speak well”. Frank’s speech is horrid, even when I agree with what he’s trying to say.
Jerry is a great guy and a family friend but he’s a proven go along get along guy too. That’s not my flavor of politician. We have enough of them.
Paul’s leadership during the Newark Charter School fiasco is proof enough of his abilities of persuasive, mature statesmanship. He’s out there ‘on the street’ on the issues and he is extremely electable.
Frank has been front and center of calling the teabaggers and rethuglicans on their shit. He doesn’t hold back.
Nancy, don’t start with your character assassination. He is NOT a ‘go-along get along guy’. Both he and Paul are great progressives, and they (and perhaps others) deserve to run a campaign of ideas free of innuendos.
Keep it clean and honest, or I’ll call you on it every time.
You have been warned.
I don’t know Paul, and I don’t live in the district but I would have to support Jerry. I have seen how hard he works.
Posted in wrong thread, sorry.