This is outgoing Treasurer Chip Flower’s hyped endorsement statement:
I am forever grateful that the People of Delaware have given me the opportunity to serve them over the past four years. Together, we made historic changes and accomplishments by challenging the establishment and made millions for the state. I enjoyed every minute of these important policy debates that have reshaped our treasury to meet the needs of the 21st century. Again, thank you.
With respect to the upcoming election, I remain supportive of my fellow Democrats throughout our state and I am encouraged by a number of new candidates putting forth new ideas to improve Delaware by challenging the status quo! It makes me very proud that the door has been opened for others to follow.
With respect to the state treasurer’s race, I have spent my career standing for the fundamental principle that ideas matter over endorsements. Based upon this principle and the questionable actions over the last 60 days, I cannot in good conscience endorse a candidate for this office. Rather, I encourage voters to support the candidate who has not only campaigned with the highest integrity, but has the financial education and experience to manage our $2 billion portfolio, will continue the “Honest Way” reforms to the Cash Board which have made over $50 million in returns for Delaware and supports mandatory background checks for those state employees having access to our state financial accounts.
I am confident that the People of Delaware will make the right choice and send a strong message on Election Day. Thank you and I hope you have a wonderful day.
First, questionable actions? The only questionable actions were Mr. Flowers’ in his personal life. And yet he somehow holds Sean Barney responsible for it, otherwise he would endorse him.
Barney is not responsible. Markell and Carper are not responsible. The minions behind all three of them are not responsible. The story after embarrassing story that we endured over the last three years with Chip Flowers and Alaska trips and Patriots tickets and his relationship with Ericka Benner, none of that was created by Jack Markell, Tom Carper or Sean Barney.
Oh sure, they all took full advantage of it, just like a football player jumps on a ball when it is fumbled.
If Chip Flowers is bitter and wants to blame someone, he needs to purchase a mirror. I was so looking forward to his tenure because I did want someone to challenge the Governor and shake things up. And the future politico in me saw this extraordinarily good retail politician going far, perhaps challenging Denn in 2016 for the gubernatorial nod, or settling for the Lt. Governor’s spot.
To beat the King, you have to be clean, and you better not miss.
As to his very snarky non-endorsement endorsement of Ken Simpler simply because he ran a hedge fund, well I guess I thought Chip Flowers was supposed to be the anti-corporate Democratic hero. I guess he forgot that in his bitterness. That has to be the deciding factor since both candidates, Barney and Simpler, have pretty stellar educational backgrounds. The difference between them is that Sean chose public service and the military, and Ken went into the private sector.
So enjoy that endorsement Ken, I say smiling.