Reporting by the NJ this afternoon — the NCCo Department of Elections has made its ruling that Pastor D is not a qualified candidate for Mayor of Wilmington.
Delaware’s Constitution prohibits a person convicted of an infamous crime from “holding any office of trust, honor or profit.” The Elections Department acted after receiving advice from the state Department of Justice.
Though Johnson received a gubernatorial pardon after pleading no contest to killing a man in the 1970s, Albence said the decision was based upon the conviction of infamous crimes.
Each time I’ve seen Pastor D speak in public (debates mostly) during this race, he hints at this outcome. So I don’t think it is a surprise, even though the NJ reports that Pastor D is thinking of an appeal. I’ve often said that I think that he is in this race for reasons other than being Mayor and his fierce advocacy of people in Wilmington that don’t normally get that kind of advocacy is the hint. I hope he does appeal and I hope figures out a way to stay in the conversation. While I don’t think that he would be an especially good Mayor, I do think that he is helping to focus the conversation on some vital issues.