BREAKING: Gilligan Retiring
According to a tweet by @jwstarkey House Speaker Bob Gilligan has announced his retirement tonight. Let the scrambling begin.
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According to a tweet by @jwstarkey House Speaker Bob Gilligan has announced his retirement tonight. Let the scrambling begin.
Connect with us on the following social media platforms.
So I’m assuming we’ll see a filing by Bill Dunn first thing Monday morning. Who else? Mike Spence?
I talked to Bill Dunn. He said he has “soul searching” to do.
listen to the long goodbye here: http://webcast.house.legis.delaware.gov:8080/LegHall/index.shtml?AY
Say hello to Speaker of the House Pete Schwartzkopf.
Speaker Gilligan has been GREAT for Delaware. For me the high point was his leadership with House Bill 1, applying FOIA rules to the General Assembly.
Thank you, Speaker Gilligan, for your years of service to our state.
He is a scholar and a gentleman and has done an amazing job all these years
It was a pleasure to see his leadership and commitment to the people of Delaware
check out the FB shot!
Love love love for Speaker Gilligan. It’s enough to coax me out of retirement. Thank you, Speaker Gilligan, for your leadership. You will be missed.
Speaker position moving to Sussex County, last one was Rep. Brad Barnes from the 35th who died while in office, in 1987.
If Bill Dunn, doesn’t file, I think that Jordan Seemans, will. In which case I got a check ready for, Jordan Seemans for State Rep.
Josh –
Wishful thinking. I’ve got it on good authority that Jordan is no longer a resident of the 19th RD.
Well that’s depressing.
I’m surprised no one thinks that REP Keeley, will make a run for the speaker’s chair… Does anyone else?
A possibility. As are Melanie George Smith and Bryon Short, if you ask me. Will be interesting to see how the leadership shakes out. I like Pete’s odds though.
Interesting he just filed to run 12 days ago. Wonder what was so sudden. He said repeatedly he just “knows” it’s right with a great deal of certainty.
So how was he feeling 12 days ago?
I’d love to see a woman as Speaker, I think Keeley would be a great choice.
Gilligan ran a FOIA bill as his last bill – fitting seeing as how his first bill as speaker was also a FOIA bill.
It was an interesting evening. Touching goodbyes in the Senate for Bunting and Sorenson and then hearing about Gilligan. It was known ahead by many insiders since they were all squeezing into the chamber and balcony right at 9PM for the big announcement.
Goodbye Lib-tard.
Gilligan has been a great Speaker, one who effectively helped push through so many important reforms during his time as Speaker. All we can do is to wish him a happy, healthy and lengthy retirement. He’s earned it.
I think Schwartzkopf is definitely the next Speaker, and I doubt that he will receive a serious challenge. To me, the real intrigue will be House Majority Leader. The Majority Leader has to be someone who thinks real fast on their feet and knows the rules of the House backwards and forwards. And someone very engaged in the legislative process.
To me, Melanie George Smith would be the obvious choice, but she’s not what one would call a ‘glad handler’. She is a very serious and astute legislator, and would be, IMHO, perfect in the role. I hope the Caucus recognizes substance over backslapping.
Delaware scored a C – for corruption. Bob is wise to retire before he’s investigated and thrown out in disgrace.
Wake up folks..
With all of Melanie’s new responsibilities as a new mom, I’d be surprised if Melanie seeks the Majority Leader position. I think she wants to be JFC chair, which should be hers for the taking.
Good point, SD40. Although JFC Chair might take up more time as the committee meets when the rest of the General Assembly is on break. Other than her, I don’t see a slam-dunk candidate for Majority Leader, though.
Don’t forget about Darryl Scott. He has cartainly has leadership potential.
Scott’s an interesting name. Don’t think the #1 and #2 positions are both headed downstate, however. He’d be a big upgrade at Majority Whip.
Rockland = bullshitter. Here’s video proof.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl4VD8uvgec
A nice thing that happened in session last night. The flawed and specious attempt to move school board elections to the general (HB 360) failed to pass, in fact after committee it just rotted on the vine so to speak.
Hurray for reason!
Hi John–Don’t know if you saw what I posted under “Saturday Open Thread” yesterday. Dropping co-sponsorship by Rebecca Walker was huge. And greatly appreciated.
I agree that REP Melanie George Smith, will be the next JFC chair.
That said I wonder who runs in the 19th. Since Mr. Seemans, can’t and Mr. Dunn’s heart is in land use issues.
As everyone has said The Speaker has been an outstanding pubic servant for the past 40 years.
Wow. This was big news down here in DC among the Delaware delegation to the NEA Representative Assembly. Rep. Gilligan will be missed. Who will fill his shoes?
Great job Rebecca Walker!
think this is a biggy. may end paul clarks career (thank you lord)
http://any1butpaulclark4ncco.com/think-paul-clarks-wife-really-out-of-the-land-use-game-think-again/
There are politicians, and there are Representatives and Senators. Bob Gilligan is a statesman. There is not many of those anymore. He will definitely be missed.
Can someone block Nancy’s buddy from spamming every thread with his site?
Ginger?…or MaryAnn?
Sussex- I agree, please stop spamming that smear site.
bilbo & Sussex- agreed. It is getting ridiculous. Please block them. Nancy too for that matter. She’s a one trick pony.
Did anyone hear about Larry Mitchell’s name being thrown in for Speaker? Just heard a little rumble.
Bumped into a bleary-eyed Markell staffer at work yesterday. He said simply, “Gilligan was a GREAT speaker.” His emphasis on GREAT.
One word that has not been mentioned enough when it comes to the Gilligan/Schwartzkopf team is ‘professionalism’. The word is sometimes used as a pejorative in politics, but it was the professionalism and competence of the D leadership team in the House that essentially helped push through the most progressive agenda I can recall. Some bad things, too, granted.
But I, for one, admire competent policymakers. And Gilligan has earned the plaudits of Democrats everywhere, the citizens of our state, and even R’s who are (a) not delusional; and (b) paying attention.
El Somnambulo- Gilligan will be hard, if not nearly impossible, to replace. I tend to agree that Schwartzkopf is the most likely pick. He has already been the go-to guy for the media. I am not sure who else could really command that much respect from the whole legislative body.
“Littlebuddy!” We’ll all miss you.
Tobyz: Bumped into someone at work today who also mentioned Larry Mitchell’s name. Claims that many in the Caucus don’t trust Schwartzkopf. Been away too long to know for sure. I’ll be sure to post any and all unsubstantiated rumors that come my way.
Before we start letting people like “Tobyz” define Who Bill Dunn is, maybe we should let me tell you who I am????
http://www.wdel.com/story.php?id=43962
If anyone has any questions, by all means, give me a call….
302-598-6313
I look forward to the campaign!!!
Neither Tobyz, nor ‘people like Tobyz’, sought to define who Bill Dunn is, as far as I can tell.
Bill Dunn is a defensive man who overuses question marks, but deserves kudos for putting his phone number out there.
That’s defining someone.
Putting out the phone number is an easy way for Bill to gauge his prospects.
If no one calls, he might as well hang it up.
El Somnambulo: I just know what I’ve seen of Bill in countless forums, community meetings, party functions and debates over the years. To me, and everyone has a right to their opinion, he is angry and defensive. Even his facial expressions when he hears other candidates speak are this way. I have rarely seen the “angry young man” approach work, especially when the candidate is older and should have more to work from on besides idealism.
‘People like Tobyz’ have spoken in every election Bill has been a candidate.
Kim Williams of the Red Clay School Board looks good gor Gilligan’s seat. She has the respect of Red Clay administration, teachers and parents. She doesn’t have a chip on her shoulder (like BD) and is ready to do what it takes to garner support and votes.
I’ve never seen Bill behave in any way as you describe, so I don’t know where you are getting it from.
But to be fair, our incumbents are truly maddening, especially on NCCC. If you don’t raise an eyebrow or two when they speak, you are dead inside. Or on their team.
Wasn’t Bill only a candidate for office once? And, he came really close with very little money or time?
If you’re going to spam, at least do it in the open thread.
Again, just my opinion. That is just how I see Bill. Others may see him differently.
Looks like the thread spammer is back.
I agree with tobyz. Dunn and his comments and posturing always seemed so surly to me. But I’ve only seen him around the last 5 years. Maybe others know him from earlier. It will be a race though.
I hear Gilligan is backing Kimberly Williams. Anyone know what she does, besides the RCSB?
She is a realtor.