The first full week of an election year=The Return of Delaware Political Weekly.
As a special bonus at no added cost, I’ll even include stuff that happened before this week, including all current filings.
Let’s Go!
1. Brenda Mayrack Makes It Official.
Mayrack has filed for State Auditor on the Democratic side. She may, or may not, face Tom Wagner in November. No, I don’t think she is in jeopardy of losing a primary challenge from, say, Ken Matlusky, I just wonder whether Wagner is willing to go out on his shield. He must’ve taken pause when he was almost taken out by the oleaginous Richard Korn. Mayrack is no Richard Korn. I think Wagner’s toast. Here is the official announcement from Brenda Mayrack:
Brenda Mayrack files papers to officially enter race for Delaware State Auditor
Dover, Delaware — Brenda Mayrack, a Wilmington attorney and small business owner, filed papers today with the State Election Commissioner to officially enter the race as a candidate for Delaware State Auditor.
Mayrack, 36, is a graduate of the University of Delaware and brings an ideal mix of private sector and public service experience to the position of State Auditor. Her law practice has focused on unclaimed property auditing and representing clients before various Delaware administrative agencies. She also has significant experience in public service and politics, serving as executive director of the Delaware Democratic Party and campaign manager for then-candidate for Lt. Governor, Congressman John Carney.
“After announcing my candidacy a month ago on Delaware Day, I am excited to officially enter the race for State Auditor today,” Mayrack said. “I look forward to speaking with Delawareans across the state about the important role of the State Auditor to protect our taxpayer dollars, particularly during these tough economic times. I believe I bring the right experience and vision to make sure that the State Auditor is doing everything possible to guarantee that our valuable tax dollars are spent properly and effectively.”
To learn more or to join the campaign team, please visit any of the following:
Website: mayrack.com
Twitter: @BrendaMayrack
Facebook: facebook.com/BrendaMayrack
2. Sean Matthews To Primary Dennis E. Williams in 10th RD.
He’s filed to go after Williams a second time after losing a relatively-close contest two years ago. Here is his press release:
Rep. Dennis E. Williams to face primary challenge again in 10th District
Incumbent State Representative Dennis E. Williams (D-Talleyville) will face a primary challenge if he seeks to keep his seat later this year.
27-year old Sean Matthews officially filed to run on the Democratic ticket for the 10th District Tuesday. The 10th covers parts of North Wilmington.
Matthews works as a special education teacher in the Brandywine School District. He says his experience in education would be invaluable in the General Assembly.
“As a teacher I think I can make schools work best for kids. Obviously budget times are tight and we need an expert on schools, and I’d be the only working teacher in the General Assembly,” said Matthews. “To me it’s an economic development issue. We need to ensure our graduates leave our schools with the skills of tomorrow, not of yesterday.”
Matthews says he would also focus constituent services if elected. He says Williams has not delivered in that category.
“All politics is local. I spent a lot of time in my own neighborhood — we have about 500 homes — talking about street signs, roads, different issues,” said Matthews. “A lot of neighbors have not liked the responses they’ve gotten from their current representative.”
Matthews also works as president of his neighborhood’s civic association. He adds that he is encouraged by young people stepping up to challenge what he sees as the existing political culture in Delaware.
The 10th district was a contested race in both in the primary and general elections in 2012. Dennis E. Williams defeated Matthews by 75 votes in the 2012 Democratic primary, then won the general election by only 4 percentage points over Republican Bob Rhodunda. Rhodunda has also announced he intends to run again in 2014.
– See more at: http://www.wdde.org/55224-delaware-tenth-district-primary-democrats#sthash.57MHQYaV.dpuf
My response? Meh. I’m no big fan of Williams, but I really don’t see a legit raison d’etre for Matthews’ candidacy beyond the ‘I’ve got ants in my pants’ desire to run for office.
Frankly, neither candidate excites me. Let’s see if either can excite the primary voters.
3. While We Were Partying, Candidates Were Filing.
The parties have already established their filing fees, and candidates have wasted no time. In addition to Mayrack and Matthews, here’s what we’ve got:
1st RD: Rep. Charles Potter (D)-Can we get a primary challenger for one of our worst D representatives?
22nd RD: John MacKenzie (D)-Currently represented by R Joe Miro. MacKenzie edged former cop Mike Terranova in a 2008 primary for State Senator, then was himself edged by incumbent Sen. Liane Sorenson in a close battle. He might have a shot.
36th RD: Incumbent Harvey Kenton (R)
37th RD: Paulette Rappa (D)-Currently held by the despicable Ruth Briggs King (R). Rappa is a career educator, much of her career taking place out of state, who ran unsuccessfully for the Indian River School District. Here’s my question: A late-starting Elizabeth McGinn got 45.2% against Briggs King. Does this mean that she’s not running this time?
6th Senatorial District: First-term incumbent Ernie Lopez (R) and D challenger Claire Snyder-Hall. Don’t know if Snyder-Hall will have a primary challenge or not. What do those in the know know?
18th Senatorial District: Incumbent Sen. Gary Simpson and D challenger Gary Wolfe have both filed. Wolfe ran in 2012 for the Sussex County Council District 2 seat, and lost to incumbent Sam Wilson by a 58-39 percent margin.
NCC Recorder of Deeds: Incumbent Mike Kozikowski (D)
Sussex County Recorder of Deeds: Alma Roach (D)
Only something like 43 more weeks ’til Election Day…