In Praise of Senator Dave Sokola

Not only has Dave Sokola been a true progressive voice since he was first elected to the Delaware General Assembly, but his low-key manner has tended to make him underappreciated, even by many fellow progressives. Including, at times, me.

But his successful stewardship of SB 30 and his quietly-eloquent statements during and after the debate demonstrate why he ranks among the very few top-shelf legislators in Dover.

He also is quite comfortable in his own skin, as evidenced by these excerpts from Beth Miller’s News-Journal article on the bill’s passage:

“The last five words of the pledge [of allegiance] are ‘liberty and justice for all,’ “(Sen.)  Sokola said. “By taking this step, we give those words real meaning to more people here in Delaware.”

“Some didn’t wait that long. Sam Wilson of Georgetown, vice president of Sussex County Council, approached Sokola after the vote and handed him a paper with a chapter of the Bible printed on it. The chapter, the first in the Book of Romans, often is used to argue that God condemns homosexuality. Wilson asked Sokola how he planned to get to heaven and asked if he had any straight friends, apparently unaware that Sokola is married.”He thinks I’m going to go to hell,” Sokola said. “But I don’t think he’s the one who decides.”

And, this:

“It’s because they have friends, family, co-workers and neighbors who are gay,” he said. “Now, those people can come out with greater comfort. They are people who contribute to our communities, patrol our streets, defend our country overseas, teach our children and contribute in many positive ways.”

Coming from most legislators, this might sound like BS. But Dave is truly sincere, and he spoke from the heart.

Finally, this:

“Sokola said he has had calls from voters who say they will never vote for him again, “but better legislators than me have lost for supporting the civil rights of others.”

I had the privilege of working on Dave Sokola’s first campaign. He was, and remains, a down-to-earth and truly good person. A rare well-adjusted elected official. While my contributions to that campaign were in no way extraordinary, his close win remains one of my most cherished election day memories. I’ll always remember his daughter campaigning with him while wearing a ‘Vote For My Dad’ t-shirt. But, what I cherish the most is the fact that a superior legislator with so much promise was elected that day.

Consider that promise fulfilled.