Terry Spence Hitching His Campaign to Markell?
Nationally, we’ve seen a few endangered Republican candidates openly embrace their associations (real and imagined) with Barack Obama. Unstable Isotope recently reported here a story she had heard about Republicans not including their affiliations on their signage and literature or claiming to be Independent as a way to run from the damaged brand. This is particularly true when the Republican is running in blue or lean blue district. Ron Williams, in Sunday’s column, points us to a local instance where a Republican candidate may be trying to hitch himself to some winning momentum:
During a question-and-answer session [ed. at the Harmony Woods Civic Association meeting], Spence said he has a good history of working with both Democrats John Carney and Jack Markell, the two candidates in the Democratic primary. Except that the Markell campaign took exception to Spence’s description. A supporter of Markell and Mike Barbieri, who’s running against Spence in the 18th District, inquired of the Markell camp about the relationship and was told there was no cozy relationship “that we know of.”
Now, I’ll cop to not knowing much about Terry Spence. And I think that being able to genuinely claim bipartisan working relationships (not part of an effort to create a moderate persona where folks don’t look to your real voting record) is a valuable credential. Spence isn’t hiding his R credentials, but I give the Barbieri campaign alot of credit for following up on Spence’s claim and not letting Spence get away with taking credit for a non-existent relationship with the current really good news that is the Markell candidacy.
Tags: Delaware, Democrats, Jack Markell, Republicans
Well, I guess the Barbieri campaign needed something to use besides he’s a Republican and I’m not!
I can attest to Terry Spence’s relationship with Carney. My husband and I witnessed Carney, himself, dropping off John Carney for Governor signs at Terry Spence’s house. We have pictures of about a dozen John Carney signs leaning against Terry’s house. I guess since John lost the primary that Terry now needs to try and cozy up to Jack Markell. I would imagine advertising that you’re a republican would be detrimental to your campaign.
If you think you’re unfamiliar with Terry Spence, let me remind you of that HUGE increase in your Delmarva Power bill that was negotiated by Terry Spence. Don’t take my word for it, check out his record, he’s always on the side of the unions and lobbyists.
So, wait, Barbieri’s campaign is going AGAINST the unions? This will be interesting.
Wow, you inferred that from what I said? I don’t recall seeing Mike Barbieri’s name mentioned in my post or my claiming to represent his campaign. I spoke in relation to what I saw transpire at Spence’s house. You spun that to suit your own needs. I have no idea how Barbieri feels about unions, you’ll have to ask him.
Have Spence empty his pockets and see how many union leaders and lobbyists fall out.
So, what are your options, then?
Jason, you’re right, this is fun.
Mike Barbieri is all for unions and is endorsed by the Teamsters. He is much brighter than Terry Spence, more articulate and more energized to make changes in Delaware. Terry never mentions being Republican in his leterature. And Jack Markell has been a very open supporter of Mike Barbieri.