Not only is Andy Staton the only announced Democrat running for the new state senate district down here in Sussex (and I’m in the new district), he’s also the only announced candidate to have filed a campaign finance report.
Since filing his campaign committee paperwork on September 1, Staton has raised over $20,000, a lot more than some incumbents, and has over $19,000 on hand. Some of his contributors are former Congressman Tony Coelho, Friends of Pete Schwartzkopf (they are neighbors, after all, and Staton ran Pete’s 2010 campaign), and Delaware Stonewall Democrats. There is a rumor that another Democrat might throw his hat into the race, but these fundraising numbers might change his mind.
I am wondering if Urquhart, once he files a finance report, will list as an in-kind contribution the 8 hours of free air time he’s received from WGMD and the Fatman’s show. Of course, Urkel will say that he was actually using the air time as chair of the Sussex County Confederate Party GOP, and that his last few weeks have been sort of a farewell tour. Hell, Cher’s farewell tour didn’t last this long.
The new district, despite what Urkel and others have said, is a Democratic district, both in registration and voter turnout. Not saying this is going to be a cakewalk for Andy, but my money is on him winning in November.