When the year began, we were all hoping for one credible candidate to take out New Castle County Executive Paul Clark in the Democratic primary. We had two not well known and definitely underfunded candidates file, and then had one drop out, leaving Bill Shahan as Clark’s opposition. Bill is a nice guy, and a good Democrat, but he has not been blowing the doors off this race so far.
So guess who sensed an opportunity. Convicted criminal Tom Gordon, whose last stint at County Executive ended up in a corruption trial and a conviction. After weeks of rumors and one obvious poll, Tom Gordon has filed candidacy papers with the Department of Elections today.
Now, as long as Bill Shahan remains in the race, I will be voting for him, as I suspect a lot of people who are uncomfortable with both Clark and Gordon. But if this race ever came down to Clark v. Gordon, I would be forced to vote for Clark, and you know what? I am a lot comfortable with that prospect than I would have been a couple of months ago. Clark was impressive earlier this month at a County Candidate’s Forum that the Progressive Democrats for Delaware put on. (You can watch video of the forum at the link).
I think what will happen now is that Clark will win in a three way or a two way race. Therefore, for those who think land development and Clark’s prior conflicts of interest are important concerns, I think the best case scenario now is to ensure that Bill Dunn gets elected as County Council President, as he will serve as a powerful check on Clark and the Council.
Now that he is a candidate, perhaps Tom Gordon will make it out to the candidate forum this evening (thanks Nancy Willing for the information):
CANDIDATE FORUM – NCC EXECUTIVE AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT
6:00 to 9:00 pm
Cab Calloway School of the Arts
100 N. Dupont Road