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.