Mayberry This Ain’t
I’m not sure how closely you have been following the race for Sheriff in New Castle County. As small-time elections go, this one has the makings of the most interesting primary in New Castle County. Long-time Sheriff, Mike Walsh has held the office since Reagan was elected President. He is being challenged by NCC police spokesperson, Trinidad Navarro in the primary.
According to Navarro, there were rumors that Walsh wasn’t going to run again this year, so he was encouraged to throw his hat in the ring. Like the Treasurers race, the current office-holder had other plans, setting up a primary that has become increasingly acrimonious.
Their styles and approach couldn’t be different. Walsh comes off like Barney Fife, often rambling on with anecdotes that seem unconnected to the position he has held for 30 years. I saw him speak about homes going to sheriffs sale, and suggesting that he, himself isn’t far from that experience (despite having a cake job for 30 years). Alternatively, Navarro comes off as confident, but he has overplayed his hand in several situations. He has had plants show up at joint appearances and batter Walsh with loaded questions, implying that Walsh is a slouch.
On technology, Walsh seems to think that things are fine, as is. Navarro wants to update the technology in the department on a more regular basis. It appears that until recently, the department has been deficient in software and hardware.
Navarro makes the point that the members of the department, which are not police officers, need training and policies on the continuum of force. The issue is more important now, as the sheriff’s department staff now carry weapons. I find Walsh’s explanation farcical. He actually said that there are two things that tell him that he is doing a good job. First, there have been no incidents so far. In other words, none of his people has improperly fired a weapon or maced a constituent, so all is well. Second, that the News Journal has not done an expose on the department. Seriously.
Based on that evidence, I would put Walsh on the street tomorrow. However, Navarro has done himself no favors. His goon tactics on multiple occasions sounds like an echo of previous cops-turned-politicians in New Castle County. There are many people that would look at his tactics and the brain trust that appears to be advising him and turn away in disgust.
I suspect that these competing issues are factors in the non-decision by New Castle County Democrats on endorsement in this race. I think that non-endorsement is the best outcome for Navarro, a rookie politician, against a 30 year incumbent. Yet, I have heard that there are Navarro supporters still bitching and moaning about the outcome and researching how to appeal. To me this looks like more of the cop-turned-politician BS, ala GordonBerry.
Navarro really needs to excise his campaign of the unsavory elements and get down to making his case at every event possible. Walsh is beatable, but in the choice between Barney Fife and Team GordonBerry, people will choose Sheriff Fife every time.
Tags: New Castle County, sheriff
“Second, that the News Journal has not done an expose on the department.”
Lol.
By that standard Red Lion Christian is the only High School in Delaware out recruiting athletes.
Exactly. And Red Lion didn’t have any issues until this past Sunday.
I was in a class at Del Tech with “Trinny” as he is known. Very nice guy as far as an officer of the law can be in my book….
Really sounds like the current sheriff is getting worried that Navarro will beat him. I have been at several events and I feel Navarro handled himself extremely well and is clearly a formidable candidate against Walsh. The democratic nomination should go to Navarro based on how the districts have voted. It is really sad that people will try to connect him with the past to hurt his chances. The letter to the editor in Saturday’s paper clearly outlined why Mr. Walsh needs voted out.It’s time to get rid of career politicians.
I am not trying to connect him with the past. Do me a favor and call Tom Gordon and ask if he has any role, official or not, in Navarro’s campaign. Ask Navarro to publicly distance himself from Tom Gordon. Then come back with the BS about the past. I am am talking about the past 2 months.
“He has had plants show up at joint appearances and batter Walsh with loaded questions, implying that Walsh is a slouch.”
Is one of them named Carly Smith? Because I notice via a quick Google search that she has never posted a comment anywhere else on the blogosphere before tonight.
This was a favorite trick of the Gordonberries, BTW. As is the art of the personal attack.
Yes, you are not the first to notice that Geezer.
I want to like Navarro, but there is a stench of gordonberrys around him.
If anyone wants to make a good argument in favor of keeping this an elective office, as opposed to eliminating it and putting the job of delivering summonses out for bids, I’d love to hear it.
For me, I take my endorsements seriously. If I don’t have a way to pick a candidate (and neither, in this case, has given me a compelling reason) I don’t endorse. Can’t speak for anyone else.
Sheriff’s race aside, I read this on Grapevine and almost choked.
“Navarro insists he is not fronting for Gordon, although they are friendly and Gordon wants him to win. Gordon is certainly still in politics, these days as the Democratic chair in the 20th Representative District covering the Hockessin-Pike Creek Valley area.“
Hmm. Just checked. Does anyone know if that Gordon thing is accurate? Deldems.org – though it’s generally about as useful as a sack of shit – lists Bonnie Yeatman as the chair in the 20th. Gordon’s not listed anywhere. (http://www.deldems.org/about-us/local-party-structure/new-castle-county/)
Geezer,
A sheriff does more than just deliver summonses. Why is it so hard for you to understand that?
I agree with you, though. It should be abolished.
Yes, the Gordon thing is accurate.
The duties of the Sheriff:
http://www2.nccde.org/sheriff/default.aspx
They serve summons and sell property. I see something about prisoner detention, but interestingly, the people in the department are not cops, as Walsh is quick to point out.
Gordon isn’t doing anything formally for Navarro as much as everyone loves the meme. He is going gangbuster for Velda and Charles, though.
Celia Cohen seems to have copied off of Geeks post and comments…a lot.
Except for the fact that both DG and DL posted on the same day, Nancy. Ceila’s obviously took a bit of reporting to do – wasn’t something she could throw together in an afternoon.
Boy, you just solidified my vote for Chip Flowers!
No meme, Nancy. I know that Tom is making calls for Navarro. And yes, for Velda as well.
I just read the Grapevine post. Here’s the tell:
Walsh wouldn’t ever use the word coterie. I doubt he could define the word, let alone use it in a sentence.
Gordon is not the chair of the 20th RD Democratic Committee.
UI – It was my understanding that Gordon is the new chair of an RD committee. Is that incorrect, or is the 20th the wrong committee?
I rather think the meme isn’t his making calls, Geek, it is this idea that Trini is a front for his Triumphant RETURN. Absolutely silly.
anony, did Cohen get that meme from Walsh or from DL? hhhmmmmmmmmm – OK I just saw Geek’s quote.
Gordon is a friend helping a friend with Navarro as in the case of the Potters And though I don’t doubt that Gordon has ambitions, they aren’t pinned to be sprung off of Navarro.
And I am pretty sure that Tom did take the chair of his regional committee, UI. That’s what I heard from Syl Woolford.
To continue on how much traction Navarro may be getting from Gordon…I told Tom Gordon what I had observed between Walsh and Navarro at the combined DEM Committee meeting in Newark about a month ago and he said he felt bad for him and that he would call Navarro and offer to help him.
But by then, hadn’t Navarro already gained endorsements from a good number of committees? Just sayin.
LG is correct. Yeatman resigned as Committee Chairwoman of the 20th District and the good members of that group elected Tom Gordon as their new Chairman. This happened in April or May, the party records will reflect the exact date. Anyone who wishes to confirm this can call DelDems for verification.
I was personally present at the May meeting of the New Castle County Executive Committee and can attest that we seated Tom Gordon on the committee at that time. There is a rumor that the Exec. Comm. members gave Gordon an ovation when he was seated. That is not true. He recived polite applause for a brief moment and then we moved on to the agenda for that night. There was no indication from the group that the event was particularly special or marked a turning point in the power structure of the NCC Exec. Gordon is one of 22 District Chairs who serve on the committee. Each of those chairs is responsible for representing the Democrats in their districts.
After six years of serving on the Exec. Comm. I’ve gotta say they are not likely to line up behind any one agenda. Motions are made and votes are taken on a case by case basis and I’ve never been able to discern a voting bloc or “power pattern” within the group. At the risk of divulging some sort of party secret, it is like herding cats. Each member has their own constituents and agenda. We are Democrats, afterall.
Having Tom Gordon helping you get elected is like having Norm Oliver helping you get elected.
As a member of the 20th RD Committee, I was present when Tom Gordon was elected chair at our May 3rd meeting. That was also our endorsement meeting, and there was a whole lot o’ politicking going on prior to the actual votes.