Jim Westhoff Announces Run for 35th District Representative
Jim Westhoff — from Greenwood, DE — announced his run as the Democratic candidate for the 35th State Representative seat. The seat is currently held by first-term GOP Rep David Wilson. He may seem vaguely familiar to lots of people — he is a spokesman for DelDOT and was the person speaking for them during the Blizzards of 2010. This announcement video is worth every minute, and is up on his website. This is a very nice website, BTW — much nicer that we typically see for State Senate or Rep races. If his team keeps up the content (update your blog and your news feed Mr. Westhoff!) , this is an excellent way to provide good information. The announcement:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqK9KPhXspQ[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vejsVgPySg[/youtube]
Jim Westhoff can be found on Facebook.
His website says he is on Twitter but I can’t find the name yet.
We’re going to be trying to find out more about Mr. Westhoff in the coming weeks, but tell us what you know about him in the comments.
He is a great candidate, and brings fresh ideas to Dover. He has my vote.
I know Jim Westhoff. He comes from a family of 5 children. He is very close to his family and is always there for them when they need him. Jim does whatever it takes to help people. One story I have of him is that every day to work while he was driving he would see this man riding his bike but he always had one hand in his pocket. Jim noticed that he did not have any gloves. So one day he stopped the man and gave him a pair of gloves. That is Jim. He sees someone that needs help and he helps them any way he can. He and his dog go read to children every Thursday night at the Library. His wife came home and told him about a child that was going into foster care again. Jim said “I can give him a home” So they adopted him. If he can help he will. That is why he would be a great State Representative. He sees how he can help so he gets involved. Everyone should vote for Jim and give our district someone who cares and who wants to help the people in this district. I’am telling everyone he will be there for US !!
Jim’s a good guy and a class act. He’s going to get criticized by the nutjobs for his state job with DelDOT – the wackos on WGMD started spouting off when he filed a few weeks ago. But I hope he wins.
He also sought the nomination for the 19th Senate District nomination last year, which Polly Adams Mervine ultimately received. A telling point, especially for DL readers: Out of the five or six Democrats who were interested, Jim was the only one who called himself a progressive, and proudly so.
Unfortunately, he’s running against Dave Wilson, one of the lesser lights of the state House but who is incredibly popular in the area and has won countywide before as register of wills. The edge goes to Wilson, IMHO, but Westhoff is one Democrat who can make a truly competitive race of it. He has energy and can put it to good use.
Last time around, the 35th nominated Aaron Chaffinch, the former state police superintendent, to run against Wilson to succeed Ben Ewing. Their pick of Westhoff this year is a sign that the Democrats there, at least, are sick of running old political hacks. And that’s only good for Sussex County.
I noticed Terry Spence filed today to run against Mike Barbieri for the seat Spence held for decades until Barbieri upset him.I think that should be an interesting race to watch.
Keeping the oafish Spence from returning to the State House would be reason enough, but there’s more. Mike Barbieri is one of the hopes of the legislative future. He deserves our help.
Eric Bodenweiser (SCORR & 9-11 PATRIOTS) also filed to primary Sen. Booth yesterday.
Spence is doing all Democrats a favor. Republicans were able to shrug off the report of out-of-control spending under Spence because they could always point out that he’s gone. Now that he’s running again, all those expenditures are grist for the mill.
I’m sure the — heh heh — non-partisan Caesar Rodney Institute will be all over that story now that it’s relevant again.
Anon – that’s SKKKOR.
Spence needs to let go! No one takes him seriously in Dover and he doesn’t even see it!
The only reason Spence was remotely competitive last time was b/c organized labor, especially Dem. Chair wannabe Brian McGlinchey, circled the wagons around him.
He really has no base now. He’ll get skunked. It’s kinda pathetic, really.
And, yes, those expenditures should come out in full–including the STILL not-released travel costs.
And, by all means, help Mike Barbieri out. He needs to know we’ve got his back.
How many votes does the SKKKOR guy bleed off from the Republican in the general? Is it possible that this pushs the DEGOP even further to the right?
Anyone?
Anyone?
Jim and his campaign manager made the trek up to New Castle County earlier this month to meet with the Progressive Dems for Delaware. This guy is no slouch and he’s willing to work for this.
TWITTER = @jimforstaterep or http://twitter.com/jimforstaterep
I met Jim during my campaign in the 37th special election and think he is a great guy. He worked hard for my campaign and I especially appreciated his sense of humor.
I hope all the DL readers will consider venturing to the 35th to help on Jim’s campaign (or at least send money). We all know it is a tough district for a D, but Jim will work hard and will be well received by the voters. Also, he has a smart and experienced campaign team that is out to win.
Jim is exactly the kind of next generation candidate we need to support and encourage.
El Som, what’s your issue w/ McGlinchey? Two days in a row you have taken pot shots at him. The funny thing is that he once mentioned you to me and he thought highly of you. Strange, strange, strange….
Asked and answered in the ‘Hot Stove’ edition.
Department of Redundancy Department