The 62 Project: Not Better Late Than Never. But It’s Finished. Just In Time To Change It.
I was planning to finish this in time for…well, some time before now. However, sloth and other events intervened. So here we have it, 1-62, for each and every member of the 147th Delaware General Assembly, based on their careers, not just the past session. For those I previously profiled, you can click on the links. For the rest, the floor is open for questions and vitriol.
1. Sen. Karen Peterson: A fierce negotiator/advocate who successfully leverages her bargaining power to pass progressive legislation. Imagine that. Accruing power not for personal ambition, but to pass a progressive agenda. An easy choice for #1.
2. Rep. Mike Barbieri: Quietly does outstanding work on kids’ issues, and has helped turn back the neanderthal mandatory sentencing excesses of the Sharp/Smith/Vaughn/Brady years. He’s impressed me from Day 1. A thinker and a doer. We need more social workers in the General Assembly.
3. Sen. Bob Marshall: Has gotten better and more effective as he’s gotten older. He serves as perhaps the leading Democrat from the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party in challenging Jack Markell’s DINO-ism. He’s got at least one more minimum wage increase in him.
4. Rep. Melanie George Smith: Her work, along with Barbieri and others, on sentencing reform, was legislating at its best. It wasn’t easy, it required a tremendous attention to detail, plus political smarts. Forget her political roots, focus on her legislative skills.
5. Sen. Dave Sokola: Anyone who thinks it was easy for a legislator from the Pike Creek/Hockessin area to support progressive reform wasn’t around when he got elected. That’s what he did and that’s what he does. And, while he gets criticism from some of our education people, he stood up to the ‘forced busing’ bashers, including his own Pro-Tem, Tom Sharp. His sponsorship of civil unions reflects the kind of person he is.
6. Rep. Ed Osienski: Far exceeded my expectations, which reflects badly on me. One of the most Democratic members of the House Majority Caucus. He votes the right (i.e. the way I’d vote) way on virtually everything.
7. Sen. Bryan Townsend: One of the most impressive first-terms any legislator has had in my memory. Now poised, along with Kim Williams, to challenge Jack Markell’s War on Public Schools.
8. Rep. Darryl Scott: Let us praise the dearly departed. Generally a solid progressive vote, strong advocate for death penalty repeal, and fought for the average citizen’s right to privacy. I hope we haven’t seen the last of him.
9. Rep. James J. J. Johnson: He believes in second chances, and has been our most effective legislator on behalf of those who have paid their debt to society.
10. Rep. Helene Keeley: Great work on payday loans and consumer protection. IMHO, she has grown more than any legislator who I saw from the beginning.
11. Sen. Harris McDowell: Yes, he’s been around for too long. However, he would have ranked #1 on this list 20 years ago. The Kids’ Department, the Joint Sunset Committee, juvenile justice reform, cleaning up leaking underground storage tanks, commuter rail, and lots more. Stuff he got done. He did it by identifying and recruiting policy experts and progressives to his side. John Flaherty, John Tobin, Joe Dell ‘Olio, Kennard Potts, Mark Brunswick, Joan Powell, Guy Sapp, Barbara Brown, and many many others. His inclusiveness is why he got so much done. There’s a lesson to be learned here…
12. Sen. Margaret Rose Henry: She has become a serious legislator. Her work on needle exchange and decriminalization of marijuana is strong. She is generally one of the most dependable progressive votes.
13. Sen. Patti Blevins: One more session like this last one, and she’ll be in the Top 10. Her work as President Pro-Tem has been outstanding. The Senate is now the more progressive legislative chamber in Dover, and her even-handedness is a major reason why.
14. Rep. Quin Johnson: Very solid constituent services guy. Also a pretty good vote on key progressive issues.
15. Sen. Dave McBride: Yes, he’s eccentric.But he’s done a better than solid job as chair of the the Senate Natural Resources & Environmental Control Committee and generally votes the right way. I gotta tell you. If I had to write a book about one and only one legislator, McBride would be the one with more interesting stories than anyone else. Only person I ever worked with to appear on the Morton Downey, Jr. show. To talk about the whipping post.
16. Rep. John Mitchell: It’s damning with faint praise to identify him as the best of the former cops in the General Assembly. But there’s a reason why the progressives in his caucus trust him: He’s true to his word. He could still be Speaker some day.
17. Rep. Paul Baumbach: I’m still somewhat of an agnostic. He votes like a progressive, he has done excellent work on the issue of manufactured homeowners’ communities. But he has helped to turn Progressive Democrats of Delaware away from the inclusive grassroots organization it was. I’m with Ronnie Reagan on this one: “Trust, but verify.”
18. Rep. Earl Jaques: A populist who is sometimes, but not always, in tune with progressive principles. He works well with others and does a solid job on constituent services.
19. Sen. Brian Bushweller (I admit, he’s rated too high, I’ll adjust): My initial ranking was before he emerged as the #1 cheerleader for the casinos and the so-called Kent County Athletic Complex. It’s one thing to advocate on behalf of your constituents, it’s quite another to saddle all Delawareans with the cost of such wasteful spending.
22. Sen. Bruce Ennis
26. Rep. Bryon Short
29. Rep. Mike Ramone
35. Sen. Ernie Lopez
36. Rep. Danny Short
37. Rep. Don Blakey
39. Rep. John Viola
41. Rep. Joe Miro
43. Sen. Gary Simpson: You could do worse than Simpson as Senate Minority Leader. Not an R doctrinaire talking points parrot like Lavelle and Bonini.
44. Rep. Bobby Outten: The man’s a METER READER, for crying out loud. Which makes him one of the few Rethugs who understands the value of a hard day’s work.
45. Rep. Debbie Hudson: Only reason she’s this high is b/c she annually challenges one of Delaware’s stupidest laws: the prohibition against purchasing fine wines through the mail.
46. Rep. Harvey Kenton: Old inconsequential backbencher. Sometimes distinctions are not cost-effective. Interchangeable with several others on this list.
47. Rep. Ronald Gray: Back bencher. Small businessman.
48. Sen. Gerald Hocker: Well, George Howard Bunting likes him, so he can’t be ALL bad.
49. Sen. Brian Pettyjohn: Jury’s out. An R cipher so far. Someone I respect likes him, though…
50. Sen. Greg Lavelle: A Rethug mouthpiece. Nowhere near Colin Bonini when it comes to buffoonery, but sings from the same hymnal. Thing is, unlike Bonini, Lavelle has critical thinking skills. Just chooses not to use them.
51. Rep. Val Longhurst: She’s Joe Petrilli with less sophistication. Keeps her position b/c people are afraid of her.
52, Harold Peterman: A backbencher with health problems. Not much more to say.
53. Rep. Steve Smyk: Would have ranked lower, but he gets points for standing up to Jeff Christopher. He won’t, however, stand up to the state police as he’s one of them.
54. Rep. Charles Potter: He’s only in it for himself. Even in an institution where there are plenty of grifters, Potter stands out. Can’t even be counted on to support progressive legislation.
55. Rep. Bill ‘Lumpy’ Carson: Takes pride in his willful ignorance, even jokes about it. A Schwartzkopf fave, who heads the House Transportation Committee, one of the worst appointments imaginable.
56. Rep. David Wilson: Proof that there IS such an animal as an inarticulate auctioneer. Votes ‘wrong’ on everything.
57. Rep. Jeff Spiegelman: A rude young dick. His guns ‘n NASCAR constituency like him OK, however. His constituency sucks.
58. Rep. Tim Dukes: Christian Dominionism comes to the General Assembly in the persona of the (Extreme) Right Reverend. Sussex County has jumped the shark.
59. Sen. David Lawson: Former state cop who owns a shooting range. Votes accordingly. Profoundly undistinguished.
60. Rep. Ruth Briggs King: Remorseless defender of the powerful and scourge of the powerless. She was in the running for #62.
61. Rep. John Atkins: I will miss his comedic stylings, but I doubt that anyone will miss his presence in Dover. Not just an accident waiting to happen, an accident that happened. Over and over again. Hey, he could be back.
62. Sen. Colin Bonini: Based on a career of doing nothing, bloviating, not showing up, lying about his record, and accidental buffoonery, this gasbag is a deserving #62.
The following legislators are now former legislators: Rep. Darryl Scott (8), Rep. Becky Walker (27). Rep. Dennis E. Williams (31), Rep. Don Blakey (37), Sen. Bob Venables (42) and Rep. John Atkins (61).
So there you have it. I will reorganize the list, fix some injustices, factor in new information, and find places for the new legislators before the 148th General Assembly convenes in January. At that point, it becomes sort-of a living organism where rankings can be revisited periodically.
One list down…time to work on the best/worst/most ridiculous of 2014 countdowns. Oh, and don’t forget Jason330’s fave: Best Songs of 2014.
Tags: Best/Worst Delaware Legislators, Delaware General Assembly, El Somnambulo, Featured, Steve Tanzer Delaware
This is a great piece of work. It is heartening to note that we seem to have slightly more “okay” legislators than we have crappy ones.
Rep. Rebecca Walker, in retrospect was too high. I hope Lopez moves up by confronting some of his party’s stupidity and cruelty. I’m still cautiously optimistic about that happening.
Factor into your ratings of Patti Blevins that she was (a) a major dealmaker in bringing Highmark to Delaware with all sorts of giveaways and leading to its monopolistic takeover of the health insurance industry; and that (b) on the last night of the last session she used (abused?) her authority to keep about five really significant bills that had the votes from ever reaching the floor. “Even-handed” is not a term I would associate with her.
I remember a promise to reveal the Sokola threat to Henry over her committee vote for the Charter School Law revision.
I really wasn’t paying attention to this stuff 20 years ago, so I don’t know much about McDowell’s contributions then. I do know that in recent years he opposed subjecting the General Assembly to open government laws, and he helped kill wind power. He also may be the worst legislator in terms of responding to constituents. He may not even live in his district. So he may be up for a lifetime achievement award, but I’ve been waiting for him to leave for years.
McDowell is a trailblazer in setting up six figure sinecures for Harris McDowell. I also think he overrated here.
Rebecca Walker was definitely overrated. So is Nicole Poore, now that we know how she parlayed her office into a BS six-figure job. Walker’s gone, Poore’s rating in January will reflect the new info.
Bushweller was too high, he’ll be moving down as well.
As to McDowell, I can only say that I was there when he was at his best. It may also be damning with faint praise to point out that he never grabbed at a state job. He didn’t believe in it, and he said so.
MGS should really be higher up on the list, she is quite effective in her work.
Atkins ranking is somewhat unfair, while yes he does not always make the best decisions and votes his service to those he serves is off the charts… He is pretty great at helping those around him.
Baumbach is a tough one. While yes, I love him as a legislator and person, you really must judge how hard it is to be progressive in his job. The area he represents makes it easy for him to be a progressive and vote the way he does, while you have someone like Bruce Ennis who has a more conservative district and still votes pretty well. Not to say Baumbach isn’t a fantastic Rep, he’s amazing! But if this list is judged on how against the grain someone is to be a progressive, it isn’t too hard for him.
Jeff Speigleman isn’t an ideal Rep, but he is a very nice person, a teacher at Del Tech, I have found that he is very kind to me.
The leadership of Longhurst and Viola has been pretty great, they got many hot button bills through and are again, very nice and kind people.
Trey and Andria should be higher, they are great Representatives to have on our side.
Poore should really be higher also.
Blevins is an interesting case. I’ve rated her this highly primarily because she has changed the entire mindset of the Senate: No more ruling through fear or intimidation, but rather organizing the Senate in a manner that enables progressive legislation to pass.
During her watch, the Senate has become a more progressive body than the House, and she’s one of the key reasons.
I admit that I’m pleasantly surprised with the job that she’s done. People CAN grow and change, and I think she has.
AAuen: Was your grandfather Sammy Davis, Jr.? Or Don Tollefson?
So many GREAT GUYS.
Poore should be lower, much lower. Unless you don’t have any critical standards at all. She got a BS job b/c and ONLY, b/c, she’s also a member of the Senate.
Really chuckled at that SD Jr refernce El Som
Poore would have still landed the job even if people did not know her from Adam. Her work in the field is what got her that job, her advocacy is what got her that job. She will do great. Why not wait to judge until after she begins the work?
“(Venables) is a nice guy” Yeah, unless you happen to be gay or a liberal, then he’s a dick.
Venables could be reasoned with and was the bond bill chair which benefited the rubes on the west side that voted against him. Adkins was a good legislator in spite of human failings. He’s being replaced by a vile right winger who lobbies on behalf of polluters and land raping developers.
How was Atkins a good legislator?
You’re right, though, he’s being replaced by someone who could be even worse.
I can just slot Collins into Atkins’ #61 slot. Until he earns #62.
As to Poore, I just checked. She STILL hasn’t updated her job status:
“Sr. Client Services Manager – Agile 1”
Or Bonini could vault himself into #61 by voting once, just once, in favor of a state budget.
He responded to constituents. I worked with him on some issues.
The guy who replaces him is dangerous. A “property rights” nut who has been a big contributor to the death of the inland bays by lobbying for developers to have no responsibilities or buffers
Jeff Speigleman’s not rude, just another smart ass like me. He stomped what’s ‘er name by 30 points and will be hard to remove. His constituents are rural, old and vintage Delaware country people. Chances are only time and attrition will remove the young gun lover. As he’s “my” congressman I accept the assignment to torment his ass periodically, currently working on open carry in the house of representatives and moving on to gun personhood. Should be fun, for me that is.
“…currently working on open carry in the house of representatives and moving on to gun personhood.”
lol.
What is it about guns, sexual obsession, religious obsession, racism and uneducated rednecks?
AAuen –
I understand that Rep. Speigleman is nice to you as a professor, but how does it impact your view of him to know that he belittles and demeans other people? Or do you choose to ignore the way he treats some people? Should a person in power have a reputation for being a “rude young dick” to his constituents and others? Can someone objectively be a “very nice person” while being a chief perpetuator of divisive, bitter, and hateful politics?
I would have put Kowalko in the top 10 as one of the most Independent Progressive Legislatures in Dover. His work to exposure the fraud and takeover of Public Schools under the Murphy-Makell machine has been stellar. He stays connected to his constituents-fought hard to keep the Data Center out of his District. If he can build more alliances with more progressive legislatures, he can have a stronger voice in Dover.
He’ll be moving up a few spots in January based largely on the passage of the first bill to begin to open up the proceedings at UD and DelState. Yes, the bill got watered down, but he got it passed.
And I thought it was going nowhere.
Rep. Kowalko pledged on this here blog (www.delawareliberal.net/2014/06/19/general-assembly-post-game-wrap-uppre-game-show-thurs-june-19-2014/) to introduce a bill in January restoring the original intent of last year’s HB 331. I believe he is a man of his word — and I also believe he belongs higher than 20.
Don’t discount also Mr. Kowalko’s work on utility rate requests. That is exactly the type of work an elected representative should be doing.
Kowalko is like medicine that will cure your nausea, but will give you a headache in the process.
Forgot to mention this. While I was running through the list on the Al Mascitti Show yesterday, a WDEL employee came into the studio during a break to tell me that Rep. Quin Johnson had done an amazing job on constituent services for him.
While I tend to focus more on the legislative side of things, the unsolicited testimonials on behalf of Quin Johnson make clear that he is one of the best, if not THE best, when it comes to addressing his constituents’ concerns. I suspect that JC would agree.