Somebody get Deval Patrick on the phone. We have to warn him.
State Treasurer Chip Flowers has announced that he is ending his campaign for reelection and his moving to Massachusetts with his soon to be new wife once his term as Treasurer is over. He will not be resigning. This makes Sean Barney (D), the defacto Democratic nominee for Treasurer, and it likely ends all GOP designs on the office. I will leave it to others to describe the incredible press conference where these announcements were made, but needless to say another ommission of fact (or as we call them, lies) was revealed in that Chip did in fact attend that Patriots game, tickets to which were purchased on the state credit card. Like I have said before, I am tired, we are all tired, and now, Chip himself is tired. Best of luck, Mr. Flowers on your future endeavors in your new state.
Update:
From Treasurer Flowers’ twitter: Chip Flowers @TreasFlowers 17m
Treasurer Flowers will address media at approximately 925am to make major announcement. #netde #delaware @Deldems #politicsde
Mark Eichmann @MarkEichmann 1m
At the treasurers office in Dover awaiting what’s being called a long and detailed speech from @TreasFlowers #netde
Prior Story:
The News Journal is still silent on WDDE’s report last night that sources say Treasurer Chip Flowers could drop his reelection bid and resign the office as early as today. WDDE updated its story with a follow up getting reaction from stunned lawmakers from the right and left. The hypocritical Greg Lavelle did not disappoint:
“I’m speechless,” said Senate Minority Whip Greg Lavelle (R-Sharpley). “To resign the office and just kick all that into place is really an abdication of his responsibility.”
And if Flowers continued in office, which I expect him to do, Lavelle will be calling for his resignation. I guarantee it.
The State parties, represented by Charlie Copeland (R) and John Daniello (D), stayed silent. As did, wisely, the Barney campaign. Earlier in the day, Sher Valenzuela (R), the right wing nut job who is only running for the Treasurer’s office because Ken Simpler has gay friends (the horror!), called on Flowers to resign. WDDE did reach Representative Paul Baumbach of the 23rd RD.
Rep. Paul Baumbach (D-Newark) says if Benner’s claims are true, there’s “no good way to address it.”
“It’s tough, because when you read that stuff, it’s allegations. You don’t know how much is alleged and how much is fact,” said Baumbach.
I fully expect that these resignation rumors are nothing but plants from the powers that be to nudge the narrative in that direction. But then again, Flowers has been uncharacteristically silent since yesterday afternoon and through the night.