NCCo Council President Special Election Results

Filed in National by on January 13, 2011

Well, the low turnout low attention special election is nearly over. Polls close at 8 pm and we should very quickly find out who will be filling Paul Clark’s seat as County Council President for the remainder of the term. The candidates are Tim Sheldon (D), Tom Kovach (R), Libertarian James Christina and Jeffrey Brown of the Blue Enigma Party. By the way, what do Blue Enigmans stand for? What is their platform? If one of them gets elected, do we all turn into smurfs?

I will be posting the returns below once they are available.

Click here for the Commissioner of Elections Results page
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Comments (122)

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  1. jason330 says:

    Sheldon is ahead 0% to 0% !

  2. nemski says:

    This is the closest that the Blue Enigma Party will get to winning.

  3. Delaware Dem says:

    Success!
    http://www.ourcampaigns.com/PartyDetail.html?PartyID=3699

    “The Blue Enigma Party Political Agenda

    The Delaware school system needs more teachers. Teachers are crucial to the development of Delaware’s future and growth. Through a comprehensive plan, we will eliminate the costly school districts and create a more unified state educational system; thus providing more money for teacher salaries and programs. The Blue Enigma Party supports the development of curricula which encourages every student’s need to achieve. By incorporating diversified lesson plans, Delaware teachers will be able to reach all students on an individualized academic level. The Blue Enigma Party supports a Statewide educational reform.

    We believe that the state government needs to take a more active roll in the growing crime problem throughout Delaware. By adding police presence in high crime areas, we can begin to tackle crime
    before it proliferates. The Blue Enigma Party is an advocate for promoting job placements in low income areas, business management training for local residents, and creating a positive liaison
    with wealthier communities. With continued progress, Delaware will be able to rebuild the image and the foundation of high crime areas.

    The Blue Enigma Party is in full support of Green Energy. Harnessing Delaware’s landscape through the combination of solar, wind, and wave power; we can begin to tackle the increasing cost of energy consumption in our state. The Blue Enigma Party will ask that the curbside recycling program becomes a permanent fixture in all communities. As a reward for partaking in the promotion of sustainable energy, Blue Enigma will provide voucher coupons for supermarkets and local businesses. These vouchers will also produce an increase of revenue for the local economy.

    The Blue Enigma Party also promotes legalizing sports betting and allowing poker rooms in casinos. The legalization of sports betting and poker rooms in casinos will help build revenue for the state.
    This will generate more income for Delaware to utilize for numerous obligations.

    Interesting ideas.

  4. nemski says:

    Well, they’ve got a Facebook page. They’ve got that going for them.

  5. Get your predictions in! What’s your guess for % turnout?

    I’ll go with 5%.

  6. pandora says:

    My Republican friend has a good feeling about Kovach. Guess we’ll see…

  7. Delaware Dem says:

    I have no idea who will win. In a low turnout special election, Republicans typically do well, but Sheldon has got a Union ground game whereas Kovach has none. So we will see.

  8. Delaware Dem says:

    And the polls are closed, but no results yet

  9. Geezer says:

    Who knew that the Blue Enigma Party’s symbol is a sea turtle? You learn something new every time you vote.

  10. Delaware Dem says:

    Still nothing in terms of results.

    And aren’t Turtles green?

  11. Delaware Dem says:

    PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL

    2 of 183 Districts Reported

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 138 14 152 49 . 7 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 149 5 154 50 . 3 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 0 0 0 0 . 0 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 0 0 0 0 . 0 %

  12. Delaware Dem says:

    close election so far.

  13. Delaware Dem says:

    Kovach increases lead.

    PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL

    3 of 183 Districts Reported

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 190 18 208 47 . 1 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 227 7 234 52 . 9 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 0 0 0 0 . 0 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 0 0 0 0 . 0 %

  14. Delaware Dem says:

    And now Sheldon takes a big lead.

    PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL

    6 of 183 Districts Reported

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 370 24 394 56 . 4 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 291 11 302 43 . 3 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 2 0 2 0 . 3 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 0 0 0 0 . 0 %

  15. Delaware Dem says:

    And now Kovach takes a big lead. LOL

    PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL

    12 of 183 Districts Reported

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 661 41 702 41 . 1 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 968 30 998 58 . 5 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 4 1 5 0 . 3 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 1 0 1 0 . 1 %

  16. Delaware Dem says:

    Sheldon chips away

    PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL

    14 of 183 Districts Reported

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 786 44 830 42 . 0 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 1108 31 1139 57 . 6 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 5 1 6 0 . 3 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 2 0 2 0 . 1 %

  17. Delaware Dem says:

    Still narrowing

    PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL

    15 of 183 Districts Reported

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 851 45 896 43 . 5 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 1121 32 1153 56 . 0 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 5 1 6 0 . 3 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 3 0 3 0 . 2 %

  18. Delaware Dem says:

    Getting closer

    PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL

    18 of 183 Districts Reported

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 991 57 1048 45 . 7 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 1203 33 1236 53 . 9 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 5 1 6 0 . 3 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 5 0 5 0 . 1 %

  19. Delaware Dem says:

    Closer still.

    PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL

    21 of 183 Districts Reported

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 1175 65 1240 46 . 4 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 1373 43 1416 53 . 0 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 6 1 7 0 . 3 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 7 1 8 0 . 3 %

  20. Delaware Dem says:

    Kovach goes back up

    PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL

    23 of 183 Districts Reported

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 1283 74 1357 42 . 9 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 1736 54 1790 56 . 6 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 8 1 9 0 . 3 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 7 1 8 0 . 2 %

  21. Delaware Dem says:

    And up

    PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL

    25 of 183 Districts Reported

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 1415 84 1499 42 . 4 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 1952 66 2018 57 . 0 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 11 1 12 0 . 3 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 8 1 9 0 . 3 %

  22. Delaware Dem says:

    And down

    PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL

    27 of 183 Districts Reported

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 1477 86 1563 43 . 2 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 1970 66 2036 56 . 2 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 11 2 13 0 . 4 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 9 1 10 0 . 2 %

  23. What’s the turnout?

  24. Delaware Dem says:

    And up. Not looking good for Sheldon

    PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL

    38 of 183 Districts Reported

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 1946 136 2082 41 . 3 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 2833 91 2924 58 . 0 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 17 2 19 0 . 4 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 15 4 19 0 . 3 %

  25. Delaware Dem says:

    It says statewide turnout is 1%. But this is not a statewide election

  26. Kovach is definitely a lot more active in social media. I wonder if this makes a difference in a low turnout election. I do feel like I “know” Kovach better than Sheldon.

  27. Delaware Dem says:

    22% in, Sheldon closes the gap a little.

    PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL

    40 of 183 Districts Reported

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 2106 158 2264 43 . 2 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 2847 92 2939 56 . 1 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 19 2 21 0 . 4 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 15 4 19 0 . 3 %

  28. Delaware Dem says:

    Still narrowing. 23% in.

    PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL

    43 of 183 Districts Reported

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 2296 167 2463 43 . 6 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 3044 96 3140 55 . 6 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 21 2 23 0 . 4 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 17 4 21 0 . 4 %

  29. Delaware Dem says:

    2% statewide turnout now. 25% in

    PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL

    45 of 183 Districts Reported

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 2429 174 2603 42 . 5 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 3376 100 3476 56 . 8 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 22 2 24 0 . 4 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 17 4 21 0 . 3 %

  30. heragain says:

    So, we’re looking at a total of 7000 votes, maybe? pitiful.

  31. Delaware Dem says:

    More than that. There are already 7000 votes in. 75% precincts left to report

  32. Delaware Dem says:

    Narrowing.

    PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL

    48 of 183 Districts Reported

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 2550 190 2740 43 . 6 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 3395 101 3496 55 . 7 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 22 2 24 0 . 4 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 17 4 21 0 . 3 %

  33. Kovach is looking in control right now. Are we getting Brandywine Hundred numbers?

  34. Delaware Dem says:

    PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL

    50 of 183 Districts Reported

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 2739 203 2942 44 . 0 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 3594 106 3700 55 . 3 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 28 2 30 0 . 4 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 17 4 21 0 . 3 %

  35. Delaware Dem says:

    I don’t know what districts are reporting. You can find out, but the districts go by numbers, not names.

    PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL

    56 of 183 Districts Reported

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 3069 216 3285 44 . 2 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 3968 113 4081 54 . 9 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 37 2 39 0 . 5 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 20 4 24 0 . 4 %

  36. Now is time to start discussing: how would you describe Sheldon’s election strategy.

  37. Well, Kovach was the rep for the 6th.

  38. Delaware Dem says:

    Kovach is maintaining the lead.

    PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL

    58 of 183 Districts Reported

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 3152 239 3391 44 . 6 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 4024 122 4146 54 . 5 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 38 3 41 0 . 5 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 20 4 24 0 . 4 %

  39. Delaware Dem says:

    Big jump in precincts, Kovach increases lead

    PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL

    73 of 183 Districts Reported

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 3886 287 4173 43 . 1 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 5274 163 5437 56 . 1 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 43 4 47 0 . 5 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 22 4 26 0 . 3 %

  40. AQC says:

    Sheldon was lazy and complacent. What I would expect from him. He thought this would be handed to him. Proves the point I have made several times…he is a dumb as dirt.

  41. Delaware Dem says:

    Bright side of Kovach winning is that 1) Clark is held in check, and 2) his will be a temporary seat. This would be a different result if 50% of registered voters voted, rather than 3%.

  42. We’re getting close to the point where Sheldon can’t catch up.

  43. Delaware Dem says:

    48% in, getting to the point where I might be ready to call it.

    PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL

    88 of 183 Districts Reported

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 4935 342 5277 41 . 6 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 7089 237 7326 57 . 7 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 53 8 61 0 . 5 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 29 4 33 0 . 2 %

  44. Delaware Dem says:

    PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL

    92 of 183 Districts Reported

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 5098 350 5448 42 . 0 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 7188 242 7430 57 . 2 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 55 8 63 0 . 5 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 35 4 39 0 . 3 %

  45. Sheldon ran what I called. “frontrunner’s race.” It’s one for the presumed frontrunner basically ignores the challenger to deny their campaign oxygen.

  46. Delaware Dem says:

    PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL

    98 of 183 Districts Reported

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 5692 384 6076 42 . 7 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 7777 266 8043 56 . 5 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 66 8 74 0 . 5 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 39 4 43 0 . 3 %

  47. Delaware Dem says:

    Sheldon needs to get within 1000 votes soon. Right now the Kovach lead is over 1900.

  48. Delaware Dem says:

    I am calling it. Kovach wins.

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 6075 418 6493 41 . 4 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 8784 295 9079 57 . 8 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 72 9 81 0 . 5 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 41 4 45 0 . 3 %

  49. AQC says:

    that “frontrunner” strategy doesn’t seem to be working out so well for him.

  50. Delaware Dem says:

    PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL

    113 of 183 Districts Reported

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 6829 466 7295 42 . 5 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 9403 317 9720 56 . 7 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 81 9 90 0 . 5 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 43 4 47 0 . 3 %

  51. jason330 says:

    The Democratic Party gets caught flat footed in yet another special. We are like the Eagles. …the football team, not the band.

  52. Delaware Dem says:

    Well, if they had listened to us and ran Bill Dunn, perhaps….

  53. Delaware Dem says:

    Sheldon continues to lose ground, now down by 3000 votes.

    PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL

    128 of 183 Districts Reported

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 7643 528 8171 41 . 9 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 10799 362 11161 57 . 3 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 90 11 101 0 . 5 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 56 5 61 0 . 3 %

  54. MJ says:

    Does this help or hurt Tom Ross?

  55. Bill Dunn is no doubt fuming right now.

  56. Delaware Dem says:

    Kovach is a Castle Establishment Republican.

  57. Delaware Dem says:

    No change

    PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL

    142 of 183 Districts Reported

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 8828 617 9445 41 . 5 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 12706 411 13117 57 . 6 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 110 15 125 0 . 5 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 61 5 66 0 . 4 %

  58. Oh yeah, this helps Tom Ross a lot. He gets to say the right kind of candidates can win in predominantly Democratic districts.

  59. Delaware Dem says:

    Report from DE GOP Hdq, Castle is there and is smiling, while Christine O’Donnell is no where to be found. So this is a win for Ross and the Establishment.

  60. Delaware Dem says:

    Lead is 4000 votes now. Say Goodnight Gracie

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    TIMOTHY P. SHELDON 9425 640 10065 41 . 6 %
    REPUBLICAN PARTY
    THOMAS H. KOVACH 13485 441 13926 57 . 6 %
    LIBERTARIAN PARTY
    JAMES EDWARD CHRISTINA 115 15 130 0 . 5 %
    THE BLUE ENIGMA PARTY
    JEFFREY BROWN 65 6 71 0 . 3 %

  61. jason330 says:

    If Kovach is the man LiberalGeek thinks he is, he’ll be a voice of sanity in the madhouse that is the DE Republican Party. Geek is a good judge of character, but I doubt Kovach is the man LiberalGeek thinks he is. He is a Republican after all.

  62. jason330 says:

    Another strong showing by Delaware’s Libertarians. You go guys!!

  63. Anonymous says:

    KOVACH FOR GOVERNOR !!!

  64. Delaware Dem says:

    Charlie Copeland says “Hands off. I want to lose to Jack!!”

  65. jason330 says:

    Anonymous,

    Kovach would have to be in a special election for Governor to bring his specialized electioneering talents to bear.

  66. Welcome to the empty bench, Tom Kovach. Now he will be the GOP’s top prospect for NCCo County Executive, governor, U.S. Senate and U.S. House.

  67. Libertarian candidate got almost 2x as much votes as the Blue Enigma party! You go guys!

  68. Delaware Dem says:

    Sheldon has called to concede.

  69. Geezer says:

    What has Sheldon lost? He’s still on council, he can still do every single thing he said he would do if he won this election.

    The bright side is that Brian McGlinchey has been handed yet another electoral defeat, showing how out of touch with the electorate the labor contingent is. It’s also nice to see that the cynical strategy of having Sheldon vote against tax increases, in the full knowledge that his vote won’t hinder those necessary tax increases, hasn’t succeeded.

    Sheldon’s manager went on WDEL with Rick Jensen this afternoon and did nothing but spread innuendo about Kovach, along with a few outright lies (Parkowski and Swayze are extremely powerful, but they don’t represent developers in land use cases with the county).

    Not to sound like Darth Vader, but Brian McGlinchey is as clumsy as he is stupid. Republicans might oppose progressive policies, but they’re close to powerless. McGlinchey and his labor cohorts are a far greater threat to every progressive goal outside of labor issues.

  70. Delaware Dem says:

    Kovach is 2-0 in special elections. 0-1 in regular elections.

  71. One lesson I think the Democratic party should learn is that in a low turnout special election, a candidate that appeals to the political junkies is a better choice. I just didn’t sense a lot of enthusiasm for Sheldon among progressives. I think many people wanted new blood.

  72. Delaware Dem says:

    Neither did I. If Bill Dunn had been the candidate, I would have been volunteering.

  73. Anonymous says:

    IF THE DEMS DON’T WISE UP AND PRIMARY SOMEONE AGAINST PAUL CLARK, I THINK SOMEONE LIKE KOVACH COULD EASILY WIN. I WOULD CERTAINLY SUPPORT ANY REASONABLE CANDIDATE OVER A SELF SERVING UNETHICAL PAIR LIKE CLARK AND HIS WIFE PAM SCOTT. EVEN IF THE DEM PARTY LEADERSHIP DON’T BELIEVE IT, ETHICS MATTERS.

  74. jason330 says:

    I COPY. TEN FOUR GOOD BUDDY. OVER AND OUT!!

  75. jason330 says:

    I think I’ll join the Blue ENIGMI. I’ll laugh my ass off as we blow past the Libertarians to become Delaware’s third largest party.

  76. I think the Democratic party really missed an opportunity by not running a fresh face.

  77. Question: did Sheldon win his own district?

  78. Belinsky says:

    Anonymous is right. Whether it’s Dunn or Ciro or someone else who’s clean and articulate, there needs to be a primary against Clark, who’s not that strong a candidate to begin with.

    Democratic operation was strong [Sheldon got more absentee ballots], but the voters didn’t go along.

  79. John Tobin says:

    Question: did Sheldon win his own district?

    The way they merged election districts it would be tough to establish how he did in his county council district (the 9th county council district) since EDs in adjacent county council districts may have been merged since there was just one race on the ballot.
    Sheldon lives in the 21st state rep district & 11 of his EDs are in the 21st and he lost that rep district 792 to 538.

  80. I was so wrong that I’m putting myself in a self-imposed timeout. Definitely didn’t see this coming. Wonder if it’s too late to excise my “How Erik Schramm Elected Tim Sheldon Council President” post.

    For those who are saying that Bill Dunn would’ve won, I can only say that he needs to demonstrate some competency in order for voters to believe that he can actually serve effectively. Railing against everything simply is not enough. No, if we’re gonna beat Paul Clark in a primary, it’s gonna have to be with a candidate who demonstrates the ability to actually be an effective County Executive.

    Of course, this is coming from the guy who didn’t see this coming. Uh, I’ll take my time out now…

  81. DoubleDensity says:

    Sheldon has been running unopposed in the past. Now, he and Kovach can combine efforts to reverse the Double Density laws that were created while Sheldon was sitting with the economic retaliation Council. Let’s give credit to Tom Gordon for getting the original UDC right. It allowed us to live with a predictable quality of life.

  82. Delaware Libertarian says:

    Hey, the Libetarians were out in force today, but we went the pragmatic route and voted for Kovach. Yes, a Libetarian candidate would be nice, but Kovach is a whole lot better than Sheldon. That’s why I voted for Kovach.

  83. liberalgeek says:

    And now we start recruiting someone to primary Paul Clark. Paul is as responsible as anyone for Tim Sheldon’s loss. The guy is kryptonite.

    Suggestions?

  84. Delaware Libertarian says:

    I also think this result obliterates the argument that Coons would’ve beaten Castle anyway. This is what happens when Delaware Republicans nominate a non-O’Donnell like candidate.

  85. liberalgeek says:

    DL – ummm. Let me caveat that with “in an election where we only have 7% turnout”

  86. Delaware Libertarian says:

    liberalgeek,

    Why was turnout so low? Maybe because the New Castle County Democratic machine isn’t that good in getting its own voters to the polls anymore. Therefore, it needs a media-magnet (in a bad way) like O’Donnell to bring out all the Democrats.

  87. Delaware Libertarian says:

    Also, Castle played a role in getting Republicans to the polls. He did do a lot of calling on Kovach’s behalf. So maybe he had a bit more energy than you think to turn out his own voters.

  88. liberalgeek says:

    I agree that we didn’t get our people to the polls, but neither side did. All special elections are low turnout. So my argument isn’t that Coons would have beaten Castle (that parlor game has lost my interest) but whether “This is what happens when Delaware Republicans nominate a non-O’Donnell like candidate.”

    So tell me what you think the result would have been if this same election were held in November 2012 instead of a snow-bound Thursday in January?

  89. Delaware Libertarian says:

    November 2012 is different, because Obama/BIDEN are at the top of the ticket, so Sheldon may have won a close one (like Bonini/Flowers). But in November 2010 or any other midterm election Kovach still would’ve won, because the Presidential race doesn’t take such precedence.

  90. pandora says:

    But in November 2010 or any other midterm election Kovach still would’ve won

    Um… didn’t Kovach lose in 2010?

  91. MJ says:

    I think UI should run.

  92. Whiners says:

    The de GOP is still pretty hurting, NCC Prez is not that important.

  93. I would vote for any of the DL ladies if they ran for office.
    🙂

  94. Dr. Strangevote says:

    @ Geek: “And now we start recruiting someone to primary Paul Clark. Paul is as responsible as anyone for Tim Sheldon’s loss. The guy is kryptonite.

    Suggestions?”

    Ciro or Trini

  95. pandora says:

    Why thank you, Nancy!

  96. mediawatch says:

    No Trini.
    The last thing NCCo Dems need is another primary that echoes Gordon/Freebery.
    The last thing NCCo needs is another former police officer as county exec.

    • Thanks Nancy and MJ. 🙂

      I don’t think it would be a good move for Navarro since he just started as Sheriff. Ciro? Hmmmm….

      Thanks Jason! I think Kovach is outnumbered enough on Council that he won’t have to take any hard votes, and he can rail against Paul Clark.

  97. Dr. Strangevote says:

    Trini is ambitious- his eyes are on Dori Connor’s Senate seat, but County Executive is a better path to higher office.

    Ciro would potentially pull Castle R’s too- anyway, the point is that it would be hard (impossible?) for the GOP to beat anyone not named “Paul Clark.”

  98. heragain says:

    Well, I heard practically nothing about this race, and my husband couldn’t say we’d even gotten any mail (we had). No one says anything nasty about Kovach, and the few solid D’s I called to GOTV didn’t even know there was an election. I got robo-called by my rep. No one even asked me to introduce the guy in my D area. Where’s he been?

    Not surprised. Congratulations, Mr. Kovach.

  99. rh says:

    As it turns out, this race was not winnable for a D…not in the current environment.

    Re: GOTV…what did the numerous local Democratic officials (besides a robocall)and the most of the 400 committee people do to get their vote out in their districts yesterday. GOTV is an organizational effort.

    • I thought the Democratic party did an ok job with GOTV. There was a coordinated campaign and live phonebanking. I phone banked on Monday night and there was about 10 people there. I doubt there was many volunteers though because of timing.

  100. Delaware Libertarian says:

    pandora, 2010 was an atypical midterm election with O’Donnell. She brought down the whole Republican ticket, similar to how Biden/Obama brought up the whole ticket up in 2008. O’Donnell won 1/3 of the vote in Kovach’s district. You cannot think of a candidate with worse down-ticket effects. You had so many people coming to vote just so they could vote against O’Donnell, especially upstate. Had Castle, Bonini, Roth, Cloutier, Wagner, or any other elected Republican (or even Rollins) been at the top of the ticket, Kovach wouldn’t have faced such headwind.

    In 2002 or 2006, Kovach wins.

  101. nemski says:

    UI, we got robo calls from Carney, Coons and Sheldon I believe though I could be wrong about Coons. Also I got a call from a personal call from the party yesterday as well.

  102. Geezer says:

    “As it turns out, this race was not winnable for a D…not in the current environment.”

    Nonsense. It wasn’t winnable for a guy who’s been on council for six years and suddenly wanted to pretend he was going to stand against a county exec from his own party, and who’s going to be doing essentially the same job even though he lost this election. It wasn’t winnable for a candidate being controlled by Brian McGlinchey, or one tied to the pro-developer majority on county council.

    Who knows what would have happened if Democrats had nominated a fresh face? They might not have won, but they wouldn’t look like a bunch of aingle-issue reactionaries, either.

  103. Geezer says:

    “we got robo calls from Carney, Coons and Sheldon”

    And radio listeners heard Jack Markell’s robo-call. It sounded like exactly what it was — a better-known Democrat phoning it in.

  104. rh says:

    I am speaking more about the locals…elected officials and committee people. The Democrats hold a large majority of the elected seats. They along with the local committees need to get the vote out in their districts…it is on them. The party’s phone banking etc seemed to be on target. What was missing was the local component…before and on Election Day.

  105. pandora says:

    I don’t remember receiving a single mailer, altho I could be wrong and not noticed it – which would be really ineffective advertising. We did receive two robo-calls (Coons and Sheldon) the night before.

    In the end I really didn’t care (or felt I had a vested interest in) who won – that says a lot about messaging since it’s not hard to make me care. This sorta reminded me of a school board election – Low outreach and messaging and a lot of behind the scenes number games, meaning: rally certain troops and use low turn-out to your advantage.

  106. rh says:

    “As it turns out, this race was not winnable for a D…not in the current environment”

    I still think the above is true. My guess is that the 7% turnout is driven heavily by the the R’s in some areas and that the D turnout in key areas was abysmal.

  107. Geezer says:

    “I still think the above is true”

    That’s what I’m sure the Democratic leadership and Mr. McGlinchey are telling themselves today. And, since turnout will be high in 2012 to vote for Obama, Democrats will coast to victory again, so they’ll tell themselves they were right.

  108. rh says:

    And they may be right.

    Democratic leadership used an open process to pick Tim Sheldon. The committee people picked Sheldon. Sure it is true that is is difficult for a fresh face to win in a committee vote…but the process did allow all committee people to vote.

  109. Geezer says:

    And that’s why I’m as opposed to Democratic leadership in Delaware as I am to Republican leadership.

  110. anon says:

    I live in Kovach’s district and got nothing from him. Got two mailers from Sheldon.

  111. DoubleDensity says:

    WE will take back our County! The County Residents Won and We like the feeling. The former Council, that is largely still in place, dismembered Tom Gordon’s protective UDC by writing a series of Double Density laws for the Developers. Sheldon played his part in that. He and his fellow Council members were almost unopposed in their elections.

    WE need a party we can count on to run in each district. WE may have to start our own.

    Mr Sheldon told us he would change Council’s agenda. Barley Mill has no right to be Commercial. “Sheldon says the onus is now Kovach to deliver on his promise to bring change to County Council.” Let’s see the change. Make it work for US!

  112. Naomi K. Syken says:

    Am I correct in what I am writing below?
    Pertaining to this election irregardless of what district or whose district you live in…..
    If you got mailers from Kovach then you are a registered Republican
    If you got mailers from Sheldon then you are a registered Democrat.

    Therefore you will only get mailers from the party you are registered to vote with correct?
    The same would go for any robo calls or phone calls from a party’s headquarters?

  113. Geezer says:

    But if you have one Democrat and one Republican in a household, you get both. Duh.

  114. Naomi K. Syken says:

    Duhhhh no kidding Geezer. It just seems that after reading so many posts on here in so many threads, that the common consensus of writings leads me to believe that a large number on here are “hard core” Democrats which I did not think could even possibly be married to dare I say Republicans…… maybe Independents.

    So, “double dipping” on different political mailings/robo calls in households did not even enter into my equation on this thought, only in local Government itself:)

    BTW I have been a registered Democrat for over 35 years and I vote in every election for the “best most qualified” candidate running to hold that office, that to me is more important than following the sheep according to party label.