Who Downstate Favors
With no real polls telling us how the race is going, and with ancedotal evidence (as well as the conventional wisdom) telling us that Carney should do well in Sussex County (if only for the amount of signage he has up), I was interested in reading the latest article concerning the race in the Cape Gazette.
Sussex Democrats are themselves split.
Sen. George Bunting, D-Bethany Beach, first elected as a state representative in 1982, has served under five governors. He calls the race competitive and troubling. “It’s tough. I work in the Senate with John, but Jack has some great ideas. While Bunting says either candidate would be a great leader, he leans toward Markell.
“The one thing I see is that Jack will bring change. We are so desperate for change. I respect John Carney very much but Jack seems to bring so desperately needed change to the state,” Bunting said.
Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, is an ardent Markell supporter. He, too, said change is necessary. So is reigning in fiscal overspending. “Jack has a better vision. He brings an outsider view in government. We need a business perspective in government. We need a change and a break from what we’ve had,” Schwartzkopf said. “I’m tired as business as usual. A vote for Jack is a vote for change – to shake things up a bit,” he said.
Outgoing Democratic Sussex County Councilmen Dale Dukes says in the article he is a Carney man based on his experience as Lt. Governor. Fellow councilman Lynn Rogers said she will endorse whomever wins the primary. But then there is Finley Jones:
Jones, however, hinted at splitting the ticket. “I know John very well. I know Jack very well. I know Bill Lee very well,” Jones said. He said he’s not happy with the current Democratic administration. He also said the state department of transportation and department of natural resources and environmental control ignore Sussex officials. “I really don’t think DelDOT and DNREC listen to Sussex County. Inland Bays pollution is a perfect example,” he said. Jones said he’s brought his concerns to both Democratic candidates. “Both of them know how I feel,” said Jones. Would Jones vote for a Republican? “It’s a possibility. I don’t think I’ve ever voted straight ticket. I have to protect my turf. I’m a homeboy. I’m still trying to figure it out,” Jones said.
Milton May Don Post is a Carney man while Lewes Mayor Jim Ford is a Markell man. So it appears that not only are Democratic Sussex Co. officials split, they may actually favor Markell.
I bolded the “troubling” in Bunting’s quote and then forgot to address it.
Here we go again with the “troubling” nature of party primaries. All these old incumbents are always so troubled by primaries. Well, if only they adhered to Democratic principles, and if only they did their jobs, there would be no primaries. But when you protect corporate interests rather than your constituents’ interests, when you protect yourself rather than doing the right thing, you will be troubled by a primary sooner or later.
Not to hoot my own horn … well yeah tooting my own horn … but check this out: http://ballotbox.governing.com/2008/08/delaware-gov-is.html
“But when you protect corporate interests rather than your constituents’ interests, when you protect yourself rather than doing the right thing, you will be troubled by a primary sooner or later.”
That’s right! Way to level that biting criticism at the only legislator who voted AGAINST deregulation!
George Bunting is the exact opposite of the legislator you describe, dumbass.
Jason, you need to put DD through Delaware political boot camp, lest he continue to do stupid things like that.
A little off-topic and a question that might get me labelled as a socialist.
Why do voters look to someone with a business background to come in a straighten out government?
Hear me out. I don’t know what the average life expectancy of a small business is, but it probably is somewhere around the number of years a NFL running back will last, 3 to 5. Also, I’ve worked for several large corporations (2 of which are in the Fortune 500) and, to tell you the truth, most of those in charge I would not allow to balance my checkbook.
Jack speaks to well, has a funny name and to be honest is a little ignorant
Bravo, Benjamin!
Lynn Rogers is a man, dude. And Jones’ comment is ridiculous. For the most part, DNREC is pushing for tighter restrictions on builders building adjacent to the bays whereas the council votes to ignore their recommendations. Perhaps Jones was referring to DNREC’s apparent blessing when it comes to Indian River Power Plant controllers right to pollute the bays and decimate local marine populations.
Thanks Queen Pandora !
Some journalists DO listen. It is always worth presenting good arguments. You never know 🙂
So the candidate who had a tragic incident in his family was Bill Lee …
My sympathy to him …
What would make you say that, Benjamin?
Hey Idiot, I am not talking about Bunting. I am talking about primaries.
Anon…
It is not confirmed yet, but if you read between the lines of Mike Protack’s comments and those responding to him on the thread on Down With Absolutes, you can put the pieces together.
meatball…whoops. I always make that mistake. I corrected.
Just remember when talking about Sussex elected officials, there are no females allowed. Ever.
Wait… a Senator who has endorsed Carney is leaning towards Markell?
Maybe they need to take a second look at the “truth” factor of their endorsement list.
“Just remember when talking about Sussex elected officials, there are no females allowed. Ever.”
Jane Brady, Tina Fallon and Ruth Ann Minner have all either represented or come from Sussex.
I say that because Mike Matthews posted a comment in the blog entry I link to above mildly defending Bill Lee’s poor performance because “he has personal issues that are more important to tend to”.
Put 2 and 2 together.
“Jane Brady, Tina Fallon and Ruth Ann Minner have all either represented or come from Sussex.”
I know, I was sort of kidding on the square, ya know (but Ruth Ann is from Kent County) In fact, one of the former mayors of Millsboro, the honorable I can’t remember her name now was mayor for several terms.
Thelma Monroe is the lady in question — Mrs. Monroe was first the Millsboro Mayor and then was the Sussex County Clerk of the Peace
That’s her. Thanks, downstater.
I see by her bio she served as mayor from 1979 to 1994 as a democrat. That means John Atkins grew up under her reign.
STATEWIDE
County Democrats
Total
Kent 40,341
New Castle 176,962
Sussex 47,880
Statewide 265,183
Last Updated On 08/01/08 00:37:35
From the State Elections Commissioner’s website:
http://elections.delaware.gov/reports/e70r2601.shtml
There are no countywide Democratic primaries in Kent or Sussex, just the state rep primary in the 41st Rep District and a Levy Court race in Kent County.
In addition to having the County Executive race and County County Council President race, there are 2 state senate primaries and 2 county council district seats in primaries in New Castle County. The City of Wilmington has two citywide primaries and several city council district primaries. These factors should drive up the turnout in New Castle County relative to Kent & Sussex Counties.
With more than 2/3 of the registered Democrats in the State and several more local races involved, New Castle County will be the engine that drives the primary. Of course if it is a close race, downstate could be the tipping point that puts one or the other of the candidates over the top.
John Tobin