1. Dog Bites Man. Dog Doesn”t Bark.
Or choose your own cliche. R Colm Connolly announced that he would not run for Attorney General. He wasn”t going to run, and he especially wasn”t going to run against Matt Denn. R Executive Director John Fluharty said that Connolly handled the process with “an amazing amount of grace”. The political equivalents of Kremlinologists can take that to mean, “He didn”t laugh in our faces.” Just guessing that Connolly was not impressed with any polling data the R”s might have had suggesting that Denn is a weak candidate for AG. Of course, Fluharty says that the R”s “intend” to have a strong candidate in the race soon. I intend to win Powerball on Saturday. Doesn”t mean I/he/they will.
2. Surprise Candidacy in 10th RD.
Whoa. Now this is interesting. R Judy Travis has filed to run in the Brandywine Hundred district currently held by D Rep. Dennis E. Williams. Williams is facing a D primary challenge from Sean Matthews. It had been expected that two-time loser Robert Rhodunda would challenge for the seat again. Instead, Travis, who previously challenged, and lost to, Rep. Bryon Short in 2010, has jumped in. No she didn”t move. She was redistricted in 2012, when I think all of the 7th district west of Foulk Road was moved to the 10th. Although Short defeated her by a 57%-41% margin (there were two other candidates) in 2010, she would likely be at least as formidable as Rhodunda. Short is more firmly entrenched than Dennis Williams. So, does this mean that Rhodunda is out, or that there will be an R primary? Somebody, anybody? I mean, based on this, it looks like he”s running.
3. Don Ayotte Running in 20th Rep. District.
Dem. candidate Marie Mayor didn”t pay his filing fee for him (at least, I don”t think she did), but she could hardly have been faulted had she chosen to do so. Don Ayotte”s entry into this race makes it more likely that Mayor will win in her rematch with incumbent Rep. Steve Smyk. Former state trooper Smyk edged out Mayor in 2012 by essentially running against teh gays. While Smyk has generally been as conservative as anticipated, he apparently has cast a cople of votes that have offended the mouthbreathers. Enter Ayotte. Bravely riding bareback in this picture (two pens, no pocket protector). The 20th RD(pdf file) extends from Lewes to Milton to portions of Georgetown. It is a newly-created district, with the pre-redistricted 20th having been in the Limestone Road/western NCC area and previously represented by Nick online slots Manolakos. The relocation reflects Sussex County”s growth, particularly in eastern Sussex. The D”s have a nominal registration edge, 7102 D, 6706 R, and 4565 I. Romney edged Obama in the 20th by a 6645-5952 margin in 2012. Smyk defeated Mayor, 6469-5689. Very similar percentages as the presidential. I make Smyk the favorite, but Ayotte”s entry makes his reelection more difficult. Mayor remains one of the best D candidates running in this cycle and this might be a good time to throw some dollars her way.. For those not familiar with Don Ayotte, this endorsement from Delaware Politics when he was running for Sussex County Council should give you a good idea of where he”s coming from. This was always gonna be an interesting race. Ayotte”s entry makes it more interesting.
4. George Cole Runs for Reelection to Sussex County Council.
Not good news for D hopes to take over council. Cole”s D opponent, former State Rep. Shirley Price, is formidable. But Cole has a strong and loyal following, and will be tough to beat. He had flirted with retirement, and I suppose it”s possible that he will not run at full steam. But it”s not likely to make much difference. The Cape Gazette, an excellent example of what a community newspaper can be, describes the councilmanic district thusly:
District 4 includes southeastern Sussex County and the area around the Inland Bays, including Bethany Beach, Dewey Beach, Henlopen Acres, Long Neck, Millville, Oak Orchard, Ocean View and Rehoboth Beach.
If D”s can”t win a district like that, they”re not likely to take over County Council. But I give D Chairman Mitch Crane kudos for facilitating a strong recruitment effort in Sussex. It will pay off. Just maybe not this year for Council.
5. Filings.
James Brittingham, L-39th RD; Terry Pepper, Kent County Levy Court At-Large.
A pretty interesting week. What”d I miss, and whaddaya think?