El Somnambulo’s List
*Who I’m Giving $$’s To This Campaign Season.*
PRIMARIES:
RD 8-Quinn Johnson: Far too valuable a first-termer to risk in a low turnout primary.
RD 9-Richard Griffiths: Whoever wins the D primary will likely be the favorite in November. I’m going with the candidate who had the guts to jump in when it looked tough, not the opportunistic two-time loser who barely bothered to campaign last time.
RD 24-Kay Wilde Gallogly: By most accounts, one of the most impressive legislative candidates running this year. And she’s opposed by yet another DeLuca construction trades drone–one who has contributed to Bill Oberle in the past.
RD 27-Earl Jaques: He’s got a McGlinchey-engineered primary as payback for having the nerve to defeat the ‘Working Families Party’ boy, Vince Lofink.
GENERAL:
SD 8-Dave Sokola: A very effective progressive senator, he’s being challenged by one of those cookie cutters from another Rethug front organization–Leadership Delaware, which is the Rethug political equivalent of “Up With People”.
SD 9-Karen Peterson: Not only is she the most effective progressive in the Delaware General Assembly, she has always gone out of her way to support other progressive candidates. While I don’t see her challenger as being particularly credible, she will use her resources wisely on behalf of the progressive cause.
RD 18-Mike Barbieri: Although not the world’s best campaigner, he is a true progressive voice and savvy legislator in Dover. He deserves maximum support in his rematch with the self-centered and ethically-challenged Terry Spence.
RD 23-Terry Schooley: Her opponent, Bill Stritzinger, is best- (and worst-) known for trying to turn the Newark Country Club into a high-density project and, in so doing, has sought every legal loophole to circumvent state and county regulations. His candidacy was engineered by Gaseous Greg Lavelle. Oh, and he’s running against the highly-effective Terry Schooley.
RD 25-John Kowalko: His work on the Sunset Committee this term shows that he can work effectively within the system. While I don’t see his opponent as a particularly tough challenger, he’s earned financial support.
RD 31-Darryl Scott: You’re not gonna get a much better D from Kent County. Even I can’t find anything bad to say about him. Whoever wins the Rethug primary will have strong name recognition despite mediocre credentials. Scott deserves maximum support in this race.
RD 36-Russell McCabe: I know Russ, and a more dedicated public servant with a true love for Delaware you will not find. He’s running in a 50-50 race that virtually everyone rates a toss-up. Wanna make a difference? Here’s a race that affords you that opportunity.
*Or Will/Would Give Campaign $$’s To If/When I Have/Had $$’s to Give*
“…not the opportunistic two-time loser who barely bothered to campaign last time.”
A little harsh. She had the guts to jump in when it looked tough previously. My hat is off to anyone with the nerve to run for office.
RD24–I like Kay a lot, but I also like Ed. I don’t find him to be a ‘construction trades drone.’ Have you actually met and talked with Ed?
You haven’t mentioned Debra Heffernan (RD6) or Chris Counihan (SD5). I find them both pretty impressive. Any reason they didn’t make your list?
I’m not disagreeing, but can you offer an example or two of Barbieri’s “true progressive voice” and what you like about Jacques, other than he’s not the other guy?
Barbieri co-sponsored HB 5, the initial anti discrimination bill, and actively engaged in floor debate on this issue, he has been clearly out in front of education reform, he co-sponsored FOIA legislation and he has worked to improve the lives of less fortunate Delawareans.
P.S. El Som…why do you say Barbieri is not the best campaigner? I know he has been out walking every night in his district and attending all community events he can. What do you see that he is not doing?
Thank you, El Som. You always give me a lot to think about in the district races.
I am getting a little tired of this rumor that Barbieri isn’t a good campaigner. For pete’s sake he beat the Speaker of the House in 2008 and that takes campaigning. And he is out there again this year. Mike is one of those rare people in politics, he’s humble and he doesn’t blow his own horn, but he has plenty to blow about. El Som, you called this one right. Mike deserves our support. He has made great contributions in his freshman term and will continue to do so.
Let me clarify my remark about Mike Barbieri.
I am in no way critical of his effort, which is very strong, just that the glad-handing doesn’t come naturally to him, and, because of this, he doesn’t blow people away at the door. While that may be a negative politically, I consider it as a huge positive personally, as you’re dealing with someone who’s real, not a polished phony. It’s not easy to go out there and paste a smile on your face when you feel uncomfortable doing it, yet he does it. I really respect that.
Heffernan and Counihan certainly deserve support. I was dealing with an (imaginary) finite amount of $$’s.
As to Jaques, not being the other guy is plenty ‘nough for me.
I encourage people to mention names of those they believe deserve support. That’s at least one of the things this thread is for.
As to Osienski, anyone who contributed to Oberle is automatically disqualified for my consideration. Plus, virtually his entire resume is that Fire Sprinklers Union (I’m coming up with a humorous but not particularly tasteful visual here…), not enough breadth of experience for my paltry $$’s. Hey, it’s MY list, feel free to suggest yours.
From a Sussex perspective:
* Jim Westhoff (D) in the 35th. Anyone would be preferable over incumbent Dave Wilson, but Westhoff is actually the real deal – a political progressive, young and energetic, enthusiastic and gung-ho. There are a few young Democrats in western Sussex who are on the rise – Westhoff, Justin Bailey, Dustin Parker. Look for them to make a splash in the coming years, even if Westhoff loses. But right now, he really deserves strong support in a damnably tough district.
* Dennis Cordrey (D) for Sussex County Council, 5th District. He’s no progressive, but the prospect of sending Vance Phillips home with his head between his knees would be enough for me to donate my nonexistent cash.
* Russ McCabe (D) in the 36th. For all the reasons cited by El Som, plus the fact that he’s got bitchin’ hair. We need another hippie (besides Kowalko) in the House! 😉
* Joan Deaver (D). Yeah, she’s not up for re-election for her Sussex Council seat (3rd District) for two more years, but she’s going to need all the help she can get. The Republicans, big farmers, developers, real estate agents and more are all going to run a heavy campaign to kick her off. She’s the biggest pain in their backside right now, having in a very short time replaced George Cole as the most outspoken development critic in Sussex. If you don’t want to see Sussex County paved over by the end of the decade, send a couple bucks Joan’s way.
Good ideas, anon. I had Joan on my Most Valuable Progressives list for 2009. I’ll wait until next go-round to pony up my $$’s though…too many need help now.
Oh, plus whoever runs in 2012 against Sussex Councilman Sam Wilson, R-Georgetown. The man is an embarassment to the entire county.
Jim Westhoff made the trip north a couple of months ago to meet with Progressive Dems for DE. He is very impressive and deserving of our support.
Speaking from personal experience, opening an envelope and finding a check, even a small check, really raises your spirits. A little love helps keep ya trudging to all those doors in all this heat. Campaigning can be an ego battering experience. Checks really, really help. So does volunteer time.
Right on, Rebecca. And this is generally a pretty slow period, so sending checks to worthy candidates now are ‘mitzvahs’. Plus, raising money shows that you are capable of raising more money, and, pretty soon, the checks start flowing synergistically. If you actually have both the resources and the inclination, this is a great time to help out one or more of our own.
I signed a check to Fred Cullis, the day Patty Blevins chose to check out. And that wasn’t a virtual check either El!!!! Do not let this woman get by on another term unchecked. And no one will primary her.
I agree with you Joanne. Patty is my senator and she will not get my vote!