Here are my thoughts on tomorrow’s primary election. These are mine alone and not official endorsements of DL or that of my colleagues here. I suspect we might disagree on certain races.
If you want to find out where you vote tomorrow and what districts you are in, check the Polling Place Locator.
US SENATE–DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
U.S. Senator Tom Carper v. Keith Spanarelli.
I am voting for Keith Spanarelli as a protest against Carper. We all know Carper is going to win both the primary, and with the general election now a four way matchup, I can’t risk protest voting in the general, so the primary is my only chance.
I am impressed at Spanarelli’s signage in North Wilmington. I believe Nemski and Liberalgeek referred to it as “campaign in a box,” but it is professional looking and there are a lot of signs for an underfunded challenger.
US CONGRESS–REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
Rose Izzo v. New Castle County Council President Tom Kovach
Rose Izzo doesn’t have the magical witches’ brew that fueled Christine O’Donnell. Kovach will win this easily, me thinks. And then he will go on to lose to Carney and his political career will be over in Delaware. In an alternative universe somewhere, Kovach wisely decided to run for County Executive, and would have go on to a landslide victory over either Clark or Gordon, and then he would be the front runner for Governor on the GOP side in 2016. Oh well…
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER–DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
Mitch Crane v. Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart v. Dennis Spivack v. Paul Gallagher
I am voting for Mitch Crane, obviously. If you oppose KWS, Mitch Crane is your only choice. Paul Gallagher and Dennis Spivack have not distinguished themselves as viable alternatives to either Crane or KWS. And at this point, a vote for either is a vote to reelect Karen Weldin Stewart.
NEW CASTLE COUNTY EXECUTIVE–DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
County Executive Paul Clark v. Former County Executive and convicted criminal Tom Gordon v. Bill Shahan v. Jon Husband
I’m voting for Shahan as the choice between Clark and Gordon is so odious that it is akin to choosing between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants if you are an Eagles fan. You want both to lose teams to lose if possible when they play each other. Jon Husband has not impressed me as an alternative, so I am voting Shahan. I encourage you all to as well.
And I have this to say: if Gordon wins, I am voting for the Republican in the fall, whomever that is. (See, Kovach, you could have had a future).
NEW CASTLE COUNTY COUNCIL PRESIDENT
Rev. Chris Bullock v. Renee Taschner
In the undercard, I’m voting for Renee Taschner. Chris Bullock is a former Republican, as you will see below, and I do not trust his constant changing of parties. I also do not like the company he is keeping, aligning himself with Tom Gordon and Dennis P. Williams. I have met Renee and I know her personally, and I like her. She is a tough former cop and has a common sense approach. She will bring new blood onto the County Council.
WILMINGTON MAYOR–DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
Bob Bovell v. Councilman Kevin Kelley v. Rep. Dennis P. Williams v. Baker Chief of Staff Bill Montgomery v. Scott Spencer
In my opinion, Kevin Kelley is the best candidate in this race hands down. Scott Spencer and Bob Bovell are the fringe perennial candidates. Bill Montgomery is the defacto Republican. That leaves us with Kelley and Williams, and I have been unimpressed with Williams’ behavior during this race and his alliance with Tom Gordon.
Vote for Kelley.
1st SENATE DISTRICT–DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
Former Representative Dave Brady v. Senator Harris McDowell v. Jim Martin
If I could vote in this race, I would vote for Dave Brady despite what seems to be a horrible campaign run by him. McDowell’s time in Dover, like his protege KWS, is up. And Senator McDowell, I no longer live in your district so please stop calling me.
3rd SENATE DISTRICT–DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
Eric Anderson v. Senator Robert Marshall v. Timothy Meades, Sr.
If I could vote in this race, I would vote for Eric Anderson. The Dems need new young leadership, and luckily, throughout many primary races, we have good young candidates of a new generation running. Eric is one of them. And Bob Marshall, you should retain a lawyer for the inevitable copyright lawsuit coming your way from the Marshall Department Store.
6th SENATE DISTRICT–DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
Former Dewey Beach Mayor Bob Frederick v. Andy Staton v. perennial candidate Micheal Miller
I would vote for Andy Staton if I could. Bob Frederick is good on LGBT issues but not much else. Miller is horrible on every Democratic issue. Andy is good on all issues. And he is one of the young candidates of a new generation for the Democrats. Vote for him.
6th SENATE DISTRICT–REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
Ernie Lopez v. Glen Urquhart
This is an interesting race. The battle for the future of the State GOP is boiled down to this race. If the Urquhart wins, the teabaggers are firmly in control and the party will continue its inexorable decline. If Lopez wins, and then goes on to win the general, he becomes a star of the party and will herald a return to sanity that the establishment of the GOP longs for.
I predict Urquhart will win.
11th SENATE DISTRICT–DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
Senate President Pro Tem Tony Deluca v. Bryan Townsend
Much like the Republican primary in the 6th, this race is for the soul of the State Democratic Party. There are some old rotten tree branches on the tree that is the State Democratic Party. And like McDowell and Marshall, Deluca’s branch needs to be cut off so a new one can grow. The further problem with Deluca’s branch is that it is diseased and corrupt, and the disease could spread to the whole tree. It is imperative that Deluca be defeated. Luckily, Bryan Townsend has ran a stellar campaign for a grassroots challenger. Should he win, he will become an instant star in the Democratic caucus, and a sign that the party has a bright future. Needless to say, if I could, I would vote for him. If you can, you must vote for him.
18th SENATE DISTRICT–REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
Teabagger Matt Opaliski v. Senator Gary Simpson
Maybe I don’t know much by being upstate, but I don’t sense teabagger anger at Sen. Simpson that exists towards Sen. Booth. So I think Simpson survives.
19th SENATE DISTRICT–REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
Eric Bodenweiser v. Sen. Joe Booth.
Booth won by a couple votes last time. I think this time Bodie girl wins.
1st REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT–DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
Victoria Kent v. Charles Potter v. Rourke Moore
Victoria Kent is another one of the young up and comers on the Democratic bench. She goes up against the well known Charles Potter, a three term City Councilman and husband of former Treasurer Velda Jones Potter. If I could vote in this race, it would be for Victoria Kent, not because I have any animus towards Potter. I just like her better. But I think Potter win Dennis P. Williams’s old seat.
2nd REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT–DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
Rep. Stephanie Bolden v. Former State Rep. Arthur Scott
Given the matchup, I would have expected to have heard more on this race. Stephanie is in her first term and thus she is vulnerable to a challenge, but Scott has run an invisible campaign. Bolden should win this easily, and I would vote for her if I could.
10th REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT–DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
Sean Matthews v. Rep. Dennis E. Williams
I like Dennis Williams. I think he has been there for the tough votes. He is not one of the Democratic incumbents that needs to be replaced. Sean Matthews has a future in party politics, but this is not his year. If I could vote in this race, I would vote for Dennis.
19th REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT–DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
Bill Dunn v. Kimberly Williams
In an open primary caused by Speaker Gilligan’s retirement, this race is anyone’s for the taking. I prefer Bill Dunn. I know him. He has been a civic advocate in NCCo. for years, and he is a progressive. I don’t know Kimberly, and have no animus towards her. But if I could vote in this race, it would be for Bill.
22nd REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT–REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
Rep. Nick Manolakos v. Rep. Joe Miro
Nick is the better legislator, but Joe Miro will win this redistricting-forced incumbent v. incumbent matchup. Joe has more of his district in the new 22nd. The winner faces progressive Dave Ellis in November.
23rd REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT–DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
Paul Baumbach v. Jerry Grant v. Claudia Bock
The retirement of Terry Schooley opens this race up for a free for all. If would vote for Paul Baumbach if I could. He is a personal friend, and is the Progressive Dem’s chair, although he is on leave, and a small businessman. Jerry Grant is well known to party regulars likely to vote in the primary due to his work in Dover as a longtime Legislative Assistant. And the final candidate is teacher Claudia Bock, who I don’t know but seems impressive in her own right. This is an embarrassment of riches race, and the party wins no matter who wins the race. But personally I would go with Paul.
32nd REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT–DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
Andria Bennett v. William McGlumphy
Vote for McGlumphy. Andria Bennett is Rep. Brad Bennett’s wife and her campaign is a transparent move to keep the seat warm so that Bennett can pull an Atkins: returning to the Assembly after a “redemptive” two years.
32nd REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT–REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
Ellis Parrot v. Will McVay.
Parrot is the establishment candiadate and McVay is the libertarian alternative who has been in fights with the party before. If I had to guess, Parrot will win.
The next few races I have no opinions on. Either I don’t know the candidates enough to offer an opinion, or I am ambivalent. Feel free to offer your own:
11th REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT–DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
David Brown, Jr. v. Lynne Newlin
15th REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT–DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
James Burton v. Rep. Valerie Longhurst
20th REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT–DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
Thomas Jones, Sr. v. Marie Mayor v. Lynn Rogers
39th REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT–REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
Patrick Murray v. Rep. Daniel Short
40th REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT–DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
Ray Adkins v. Benjamin Lowe