BREAKING HORRIBLE NEWS: Senator Bunting to Retire. Rep. Hocker to Run.
I have just been informed that Senator George Bunting (D-20th SD) announced his retirement on the Senate floor this afternoon. My source tells me that Pete Schwartzkopf is talking to Bunting now to try to prevent Bunting from endorsing his friend, Representative Gerald Hocker (R-38th RD), for the seat. Hocker and Bunting are good friends, apparently. Bunting is 67 years old and has had health issues in the past.
So, thanks to that fucking piece of shit selfless protector of every member of the Democratic caucus, Senator Tony Deluca, the Democrats are now likely to lose control of the Senate in the fall.
Yep, Bunting voted against DeLuca for Pro-Tem and was ‘rewarded’ with a far less hospitable district by DeLuca and Blevins.
George Howard Bunting is one of the most decent public servants I’ve ever known, and I’ve known him since 1983. He has retained his moral and ethical compass for his entire career. He has served for all the right reasons, and he should be justly proud of his accomplishments.
I wish him a long and healthy retirement. I hope that those of you who have never had the pleasure get to know this wonderful person. If all public servants were like him, well, we wouldn’t have any Tony DeLucas in ‘public service’.
I agree on Bunting. A very honorable man.
I would say its now possible for the R’s to take the Senate, but I wouldn’t bet on it. I like Andy’s chances in the 6th.
I will show you tomorrow morning just how possible it is. Yes, it is time for another intallment of the 62 District Strategy.
Oh Lord, I can just imagine the CRI authored bullshit, and vaginal ultra-sound based hijinx that the Republican controlled Senate will busy itself with.
Speaking of ultra-sound based hijinx, several female legislators have proposed bills along the lines of “What’s good for the female geese is good for the ganders”. The link below is from a CRI equivalent where these tongue-in-cheek bills regulating male birth control are met with outrage. Pretty funny.
http://www.the-spearhead.com/2012/03/12/female-lawmakers-introducing-bills-against-vasectomies-viagra/
Going to miss George Howard. One of the best I’ve ever met.
Hocker is a douche bag.
Very sad news. George Bunting is going to be missed.
George has every right to do what’s best for his family. We have been friends for 28 years. Hocker is the presumptive successor but it does not have to be a cinch. Hocker barely got elected in 02 and had it not been fror a certain turncoat Dem along with an anti business incumbent he would have never been elected in the first place. A private business PAC run by the turncoat Dem raised over 40k and carpet bombed the district with negative ads. The rules at that time permitted something like current Super PACs. Two good candidates could flip the 38th and retain the 20th. If the Dem’s don’t fold and actually put up a fight a pleasant surprise is possible. I sold a lot of homes to progressives from over the bay and c&d bridges the 20/ 38th should Not be written off! Bonus points for guessing the turncoat;)
Did Hocker beat Shirley Price? Could the turncoat have been Uncle Thurm?
To be sure, JP, I hold nothing against Senator Bunting for retiring. In fact, I expected it. And I expect the other shoe to drop shortly: Venables’ retirement.
If you are smart Democratic politician in a leadership role, responsible for crafting the new Senate Districts, you should have known that, and thus preserved every single Democratic seat upstate, while making the new 6th as winnable as possible. In fact, if I was really smart, I would have consulted with Bunting and Venables about their plans.
But hey, that’s just me. While my goal is maintain control of the chamber, I understand others in leadership roles have as their priority petty vengeance.
Nobody ever accused Tony of being smart. The turn of events in Sussex should seal his leadership fate, but may not. My point is the challenge in the 20th is an opportunity in the 38th. El Som, Thurmond never got any money from my PAC;)
Yes hocker beat Shirley
This makes the 6th race even more important. The Staton race may very well be the one that determines whether Democrats retain control of the upper chamber. I hope the party realizes this and focuses heavily on that race.
Just checked out the 2002 election results, and hell, forget the Hocker thing. I was stunned by the 9th House District results:
(R) Richard C. Cathcart, 4,921
(D) Robert A. Reese 0
Can anyone explain those results who was around back then? Not a single person voted for the Democrat? Did he die just before the election or something? My mind is boggled. What’s the story?
This is why the chair of the Sussex Democratic party needs to be out there recruiting candidates and not waiting until the week before the Jamboree. We can find a good D that could beat Hocker. Pete Keenan – the party needs you!
DD or El S – can you post a link to the new senate districts in Sussex (because you know that the Department of Elections doesn’t have it)
Hocker could have gone to the House in 00 but his ego demanded he take on George Howard in the senate race. He has not had a real election since Shirley tried a comeback in 04. He is not a great campaigner and would be eminently vulnerable in a contested election. he has always coveted a senate seat though and he has plenty of cash and campaign resources. I suspect that 2 Dems running a coordinated sophisticated campaign could pull off a win. This hypothetical team needs to be in place before Memorial day.
And who’s to say what you say, Delaware Dem, did not happen? Has anyone here ever attempted a civil conversation w the people you so easily trash or is it just plain easier and a greater entertainment value for your buck to just trash them?
Yeah, that’s what I thought.
Are you saying all the dem caucus got fleeced by one or 2 people, run roughshod over when ALL but 1 of them voted for the redistricting bill? (Yes, only 1 Nay). Just not possible. The #s do not support a vengeance theory. Those you speak highly of here would not have stood for it. Simple math that for some reason you choose to ignore – a conclusion drawn before the facts are fully gathered, and, in turn, those facts that do not support are conveniently dismissed.
If Hocker is endorsed by a Dem, you should be livid about that. No JP, nobody gets into leadership being stupid. Naturally, the first thing asked of each isAll incumbents, including leadership, are asked to be honest and upfront about their reelection plans before the districts are redrawn. To think the senate would have done otherwise shows complete lack of knowledge of what goes into that process, Delaware Dem. Your resident “expert” could have explained that but, of course, he didn’t. See end of paragraph above.
I suspect that there were a lot of shocked and surprised people today (and upset, lots of admiration for Bunting, esp those downstate who have known him for many years).
SD….. Ruthless and clever do not equate with smart. A ruthless clever person can be smart but in this case not so much. Tony’s succes can be traced to having been a loyal enforcer for his predecessors who were both exceedingly bright. George Howard has done his service and deserves his peace. The Dems need to organize effectively and now. If they are relying on MJ’s friend they can just help Hocker print his swearing in invites. That guy is dumber than the rocks at the inlet.
JP – which friend?
You called for the guys help not me.
Pete Keenan? He’s a good fundraiser and campaigner. Hard worker for the party and would have support from labor. Who else were you referring to?
The Southeastern Sussex Dems are the gang that can’t shoot straight. In 2010, they waited until after the normal filing deadline to find a candidate to run against George Cole for County Council, and couldn’t find *anyone* to run against Hocker. In 2008 and 2006, their candidates against Hocker got under 30 percent. Even Jerry Semper and Barb Hudson broke 30 in 2008 in western Sussex, for crying out loud. And you all are forgetting that Hocker has a son who’s the mayor of Millville – perfectly poised to run for his dad’s seat.
Someone please tell me again why we expect the Dems to win this thing?
Labor support is really helpful in southfeatern Sussex. Good luck with that. Chalk up 2 R’s for southeastern Sussex with that strategy. A little risk and innovation is called for a vigorous and open recruiting process is called for , there are men and women who would make super candidates to be found there. I am decidedly not a Delaware nativist and the field needs to be opened up. Your guy may be a hard worker but he couldn’t win a kewpie doll if he was allowed to knock over the pins with his hand.
JP, if DeLuca an enforcer of previous leaders and those leaders gone, following logically, that would have made him generally unpopular among his colleagues whom he “enforced” and SOL on a pro tem vote. Years ago I seem to recall appreciation for his no BS style. I imagine it hurts some today, while others are quietly thankful for it.
I do agree w you on GH. He has represented Sussex, and by extension the State, well and deserves our gratitude.
Whip might have been a better choice of words. the guy is cagey and clever I will not concede smart 🙂
Yo, SD, most of the members of the Democratic caucus SUPPORTED DeLuca and Blevins, and were rewarded for it with favorable districts. So spare me your weak argument that no vengeance was involved.
Most of the senators backing DeLuca/Blevins have been there for a long time, and all they care about is their own district. In fact, one of the problems the Senate D Caucus faces as an institution is that, as opposed to the House, there is no interest in candidate recruitment.
The Senate redistricting clearly rewarded DeLuca’s supporters, including R turncoat Colin Bonini, and screwed DeLuca’s opponents. Sorenson and Sokola placed in the same district, Bunting placed in a far less hospitable district, Katz losing his strongest areas on one hand. Three Wilmington districts to reward three supporters as opposed to the two the numbers warranted. The piggish Blevins’ district made even more D when neighbor Sokola could/should have had a safer district; Dave McBride, who resides in Lewes, retaining his insanely D district along the Rt 13/40 corridors in New Castle County.
If you are the leader of the Democratic caucus, your first responsibility, when presented the decennial redistricting opportunity, is to help ensure that your party retains control of the body for the next 10 years, if possible. With the overwhelming D edge in Delaware, this was child’s play. Except the so-called ‘leadership’ was more intent on rewarding their supporters, including Bonini, and punishing their enemies, including at least three members of its own caucus, than exercising leadership.
Which is why we’re even discussing the possibility of the Senate chamber flipping.
I simply rest my case on votes on the bill. You keep ignoring who voted for it – people you otherwise champion who could have easily voted against it and the bill would still have gained passage. But they didn’t; they voted for it. That seems to beg a few questions. Did you ever ask them why they voted the way they did if the districts were so objectionable? Ever talk to redistricting staff there – an honorable Sussex man w much more historical and institutional knowledge than you? This is my point. Your conclusion lacks substance of current knowledge and information, but clearly it works better for you to just bash and smash.
Hey SD if you actually read here you know that ES and I are not lunch buddies. That said you need to go an a scavenger hunt for a clue.
Yo, SD, have you talked to the people who voted for it? I did, and they were unhappy but resigned. Plus, thanks to leadership machinations, both the House and Senate redistricting bills were considered together rather than separately, so opposition to the bill could well have placed the entire redistricting process in jeopardy.
Seriously, you have a right to your opinion. But you are wrong on the facts here.
The last thing Delaware needs is a Senate run by Republicans. Can you imagine the legislation that will come out of a Senate with members like Glen Urquhart in there? Sussex Democrats better get their shit together fast before we start looking like Oklahoma, Virginia and Arizona.
JP – labor=$$$ which is what would be needed to run a campaign. I have long been an advocate for early recruiting of candidates, which I believe is a weakness in the current county party leadership. The current chair waits way too long and isn’t aggressive enough to take the fight to the rethugs. Kay Ryan was was too liberal and unknown when she ran against Hocker. We can hold on to Bunting’s seat. C’mon JP, work with me on this one.
Granted, Labor money spends like any other but checks are the only thing they should send. I really would like to see a win here but the current Dem “leadership” there is laughably incompetent. My best advice is to get some adults in charge of the classroom, pronto. Somebody should be pouring over voter registration lists for voters registered in the past 5-7 years. There is talent there! I would submit that a 2fer is possible but on current trajectory an 0fer is a lock:( there is a guy in Fenwick who consulted me about running in 08 he is a prominent business owner and community leader I will send his info to Geek.
Thanks, JP. Let’s at least work on this one together.
Dem leadership has its limits in finding candidates. The best candidates out there are the ones that come to the party, not the party trying to draft someone. Chances of victory go down the more you have to drag someone into the race. Its just as important as when you file.
Pete Keenan is VERY agressive in candidate recruitment and even he has trouble finding candidates. Running against Hocker has been viewed as a waste of time. The County Council race against Cole was a last minute entry because the candidate didn’t make up his mind til the last day, despite Pete K’s prodding.
Find a well known, well respected business owner with family ties to the community who is a (conservative) registered Democrat, and both the Senate and House seats would be in play. Transplants and lazy campaigners without a fundraising base need not apply. Unless you happen to be some sort of rock star to your community with $60+k burning a hole in your pocket. IMHO.
Also, JP, I trust Geek is in Sussex Party Leadership? If not, perhaps you should enlighten the party to your find. Can’t recruit what you don’t know.
The party leadership should be grooming people to run for office, not wait to see who will answer the call by being begged to run. In 2010, we didn’t run a D in the 38th, 39th, or 40th, which means we gave the rethugs a free pass. That cannot happen anymore.
The name was to be shared with MJ who is. As to your rejection of “transplants” that is relegating the effort to failure. The 38th/20th have enough non natives to support a non native. Keenan’s aggressiveness is his failing. He could not sell a blanket and pillow to a homeless person for no money down.
A transplant is still a longshot, lineage is still important down here. At some point there will be a tipping point (like Rehoboth & Lewes) but Bethany and Fenwick is filled with republican tax refugees from VA, DC, MD, etc.
A transplant could conceivably win, if he is a rock star (like I said earlier). Pete Schwartzkopf is not from here and he wins handily. But he is good with people and has cross over appeal.
Being born local is not a lock, of course. If the candidate can’t communicate they lose, local or not. See: Denny Cordrey & Russ Melrath. One local, one transplant, neither of them effective on the stump.
The 38th also has a Republican edge in registrants. I would have to check the numbers again. That doesn’t factor in the conservadems who have never bothered to change registration and constantly vote Republican.
And I am pretty sure MJ is not a member of the party leadership. I think he is RD committee member. Perhaps he can forward it to the Exec. Cmte. if and when things develop.
Its hard to recruit in a deep red, Christine O’Donnell supporting tea party stronghold part of the state.
Where do you think Pete grew up??? Try Dagsboro. Change the paradigm and stop reinforcing stereotypes and you might be surprised as to what can happen.
It sure would be nice to figure out who the Democratic party leaders are … down to the RD committee level … but of course the party holds the leadership list and contact information close like it’s a state secret. Contrast that with the Sussex GOP, which makes names, numbers and emails for its rank and file committee members public on its website.
Why do we make it so damn difficult for people to get involved?
Sussexanon – Joan Deaver was a transplant, and not the most scintillating speaker – but won against a native son and smooth talker, and she represents her constituency well. There is potential for the “come-heres” to take over … I just don’t think southeastern Sussex is the place for it. The Rehoboth-Lewes-Milton region should be the target for transplants.
And the 38th has a 1,400-Republican edge. But that may not be the revised lines of the 38th … it’s unclear.
Also, Delaware Department of Elections, if anyone out there knows how to use the Internet – why does your “statewide candidate list” include candidates for NCCo Council and Wilmington races, but not Sussex or Kent races? C’mon, please.