1. R Mark Doughty Files in 23rd.
Want to know all about him? Well, I thought here might be a good place to start. Hmmm, maybe not. Or maybe he has an ‘electric’ personality. Lemme try something else…the Google! OK, looks like, according to the Better Business Bureau, Doughty is the (I’m not making this up) “Lord of the Deal” for something called the Fun Department LLC. He is joined in what appears to be an event-planning enterprise by, I’m not making this up, Ms. Amye McDearmon, First Lady of Fun. OK, I’ve finally found him, and he does seem to be a fun guy. The company, run by Nick Giannoulis, appears to specialize in corporate team-building through fun. I’m thinking paint ball here. For me, not fun. Anyway, Doughty has filed as a Republican to face the winner of the Democratic Primary in the 23rd RD to replace retiring Rep. Terry Schooley. The three D’s are all high-quality candidates, in alphabetical order, Paul Baumbach, Claudia Bock, and Jerry Grant. We’ve discussed them before, and likely will again before the primary. Doughty’s candidacy makes sense viewed in isolation: The district is not a slam-dunk D district ( registration is 5352 D; 4084 R; and 3585 I), was represented by R Tim Boulden before Schooley; and there is a three-way D primary that might leave some bruised feelings. Oh, and I’ve finally found the political link. Michael Boulden, who is from the propane gas side of the Boulden family, is now a partner in the Fun Department. Nothing wrong with any of that. Certainly as good a candidate as any to be added onto the ballot by the Party. Since the three D’s are not likely to let any wounds fester after the election, I consider his bid a long-shot, especially since the district generally votes more D than the registration figures reflect. But, it’s certainly better than no shot, which is what the R’s were facing two days ago.
2. Bill Montgomery Tells the Truth. Probably Won’t Help Him…
I give Bill Montgomery credit. He told the truth. Not that he hasn’t before, but it was a hard truth which will not likely benefit him politically. From the story in today’s News-Journal:
Montgomery, the former chief of staff to current Mayor James M. Baker, predicted that a 15 percent property tax hike will be needed in the next mayor’s first year, calling it a “one-and-done” revenue boost that could help stave off future rate increases as the city braces for budget deficits projected to be about $4 million in the next two fiscal years.
“I’m sorry to give you that news, but if I am your mayor, I will be seeking a double-digit tax increase, plain and simple,” Montgomery said during a candidate forum hosted by the Wilmington Rotary Club.
My favorite DL City Political Blogger Cassandra Marshall is quoted, dare I say it, ‘liberally’, in the article. And, while I agree with her that this will likely not help Montgomery politically, I admire him for saying it. How you’re gonna close a hole in the budget should be discussed during a campaign, but all too often isn’t. I’m not saying that all sorts of other alternatives should not be explored, but I think voters deserve to understand what could well happen. I think it’s likely that taxes will be raised by whomever becomes Mayor. I think virtually every candidate running for mayor knows it. Montgomery has just said it out loud. Won’t help him politically, but I think he did the right thing.
3. R Scot Sauer Challenges Tim Sheldon in 9th NCC District.
Scot Sauer, who, for five minutes, had filed to seek the 19th District RD seat held by the retiring House Speaker Bob Gilligan, has now set his sights on incumbent New Castle County Councilman Tim Sheldon in the 9th Councilmanic District. You can (sorta) find out why here.
That’s it for this week. What did I miss and whaddayathink?