Before you know it it will be time to campaign again. 2010 is approaching. And once again, half of the State Senators are on the ballot. What makes this year different, however, is that the State Senators elected in 2010 will only be elected to 2 year terms so as to accomodate the decennial census. In 2012, the entire State Senate and State House will be up for reelection, as well as Governor Markell and Lt. Governor Denn. So if you really wanted to throw ALL the bums out, 2012 would be your chance.
Indeed, 2010 present Delaware progressives with their own version of the Kossian slogan “More Democrats then Better Democrats.” The rationale behind the slogan was that first we must take over the Congress, or in our case, the General Assembly, and then we must elect real progressive Dems rather than conservative, or Blue Dog, Democrats. Well, we have a progressive Governor and Lt. Governor, far superior and “better” than our previous Democratic Governor Minner. But we have work to do in the General Assembly. Two of the most hated Dems in the Senate are either up for reelection this go round:
THE FIRST—Wilmington North
Harris B. McDowell (D). Four years ago he coasted to an easy reelection against both Republican Gregory Chambers and, at the time, Independent Tyler Nixon. We need to primary him. It should be the first priority of this site. Given McDowell’s incumbency, his Teflon nature, and registration in the District, this seat should remain Democratic. But given McDowell’s sliminess and potential for corruption, a good Republican could always steal this seat. Leans Dem.
THE FIFTH—Naamans, Claymont, Arden
Catherine A. Cloutier (R)—I expect the Dems to target this race. Cloutier, for an incumbent, barely won reelection in 2006, 53% to 47% over Pat Morrison. I am hearing that State Rep. Bryon Short (D—7th) is considering a challenge. Tossup.
THE SEVENTH—Elsmere
Patricia M. Blevins (D). Senate Majority Whip Blevins keeps this seat easily for the Dems. Solid Dem
THE EIGHTH—Newark
David P. Sokola (D)—Sokola defeated Michael Ramone 58% to 42% in 2006. Ramone then ran for Representative in the 21st and won. I have heard nothing else on this race. Is there a Republican set on challenging Sokola? Is Sokola running again? I have heard that when Sokola retires, Nick Manolakos will run. Until then, Leans Dem.
THE NINTH—Stanton
Karen E. Peterson (D)– A progressive champion, she is expected to coast to reelection. She was unchallenged last time. Solid Dem.
THE TWELFTH—Glasgow, Bear, Southern New Castle
Dori Connor (R)—We let her win unopposed last time. The 62 District Strategy finds this unacceptable, especially in a part of New Castle County that can be good ground for the Democrats. Solid Republican (unless we get a credible competitive candidate, then maybe I will change this to Leans Republican).
THE THIRTEENTH—Newport, Wilmington Manor
David B. McBride (D)—was unopposed in 2006. It is a “Solid Dem” seat until the GOP finds a credible candidate.
THE FOURTEENTH—Delaware City, Middletown, Odessa, Smyrna, Townsend, Clayton
Bruce Ennis (D) is running for his first full (although only 2 years) term after winning this seat in a special election. It was a contested special election that Ennis won by 68% over our good friend Joanne Christian. Is she game for a rematch? Is anyone? I am rating this Lean Dem since the freshman Democrat is facing his first reelection, which is when he is most vulnerable.
THE FIFTEENTH—Western Kent
Nancy W. Cook (D) was unopposed in 2006. Solid Dem.
THE NINETEENTH—Bridgeville, Georgetown
Thurman Adams, Jr. (D)–It finally appears that this old bastard is retiring. He has not announced it officially yet, so the formal jousting for the seat has not begun in earnest. Given the conservative nature of the district, I would expect the Republicans to make this seat competitive. Republican Representative Joe Booth should run, as will Representative Dave Wilson (R). On the Democratic side, I have no idea. I just pray John Atkin’s address doesn’t fall within this district. There was a rumor that former State Representative Ben Ewing (D) might run, since the cancer that forced him to retire from the House is now in remission. Another Dem possibilities are former councilman and businessman Lynn Rogers, former councilman Finley Jones, and Adams’ own grandson. Right now, this race is a Toss-up.
THE TWENTIETH—The Beaches
George H. Bunting, Jr. (D)—He was unopposed in 2006. If Bunting retires, Republican Representative Gerald Hocker will run and he will win. So this remains a Solid Dem race for now, with the potential to flip if Bunting retires.
Looking at all this blue up there. Out of the 11 seats up for election in 2010, only 2 are held by Republicans. And we Democrats do have a chance of picking up one of those seats, although we might lose one of our own, which we will net nothing. The 19th is a tossup until we know who is running. The 14th is Lean Dem since this is Ennis’ first time running for reelection. The 8th is Lean Dem due to the close nature of the last election. The 1st is Lean Dem due to the ever present chance of corruption on the part of McDowell. And the 5th is our only truly competitive race this cycle in the Senate.