Game of Thrones, Episode Four: A Short Challenge?
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I know Representative Bryon Short wants to run for higher office. He told us so back in December, and then his focus was on the office of Insurance Commissioner:
State Rep. Bryon Short (D-Highland Woods) today told Delaware Liberal that he is considering a run for State Insurance Commissioner.
While he has not made a decision on the race, he told me that it’s important that the IC’s office does an effective job of ‘setting the marketplace’ to ensure competition and consumer choices, and to ‘effectively address the concerns and problems facing consumers’. He also said that the work of the office ‘is very important, but unfortunately people aren’t made aware as to just how important it is, and how it impacts them’.
Short has attended the last two NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners) meetings in order to extend his knowledge for both his House committee work and to possibly prepare for a statewide run.
In his capacity as chair of the House Economic Development/Banking/Insurance/Commerce Committee, Short has been particularly active in addressing problems with Delaware’s Workmen’s Comp laws.
Since then, he has expanded his scope beyond the Insurance Commissioner’s office to that of Congress or Lt. Governor. Such an expansion of focus most likely is the result being threatened by higher up party powers-that-be to lay off Karen Weldin Stewart, the incumbent Insurance Commissioner and luckiest office holder in the mid-Atlantic. To which I say, fuck them, Bryon. Run anyway!
Karen Weldin Stewart is the perfect symbol of party patronage, incompetency, mediocrity and the Delaware Way. We, as the Delaware Democratic Party, need to weed out our weak spots before the Republicans do. Sooner or later, the GOP will run someone against KWS that will actually beat her. Further, if Rep. Short runs, no one else can run. That was the pathway to victory for KWS in 2012. She was seriously challenged by Mitch Crane, and if it stayed a one on one race, he would have easily defeated her. But miraculously, two other candidates, Dennis Spivack and Paul Gallagher, threw their hats in the ring. Karen’s 32% base support was enough to reelect her. That cannot happen again.
I also hear that Austin Auen, a young student in Kent County and commenter here at Delaware Liberal, wants to run for Insurance Commissioner. He is 19 years old and will be attending Goldy Beacom College during the campaign. I love new generations coming forward and being active in politics, and having the courage to run for office. But, no. I beg you to reconsider. Follow the example of Ezra Temko, and run for Dover City Council, or Levy Court, or perhaps even the General Assembly.
As for the Republicans, I have no idea who could run. John Brady again? Well, he’s a Democrat now. Ben Mobley again? Maybe, but he let his campaign website do dark, and that is never a good sign for a politician who plans to try again.
While the GOP might like to seize another statewide office, the party’s traditional backers recognize that there’s no reason for the GOP to put up a candidate for IC when the Democratic incumbent is already in the pocket of the insurance industry.
I don’t think the Democratic establishment, such as it is, is in any way urging that KWS gets a free shot at reelection.
The Party endorsed Mitch Crane last time out. Pretty much everybody knows that she’s a disaster. Whether it’s Bryon or Mitch, the key is to have as close to a 1 on 1 primary with KWS as possible. And, Short’s campaigns have been very well run, unlike Mitch’s last one. KWS got less than 35% of the vote in the primary last time. She’s not an electoral powerhouse by any means. Short wins a one on one battle. He’ll do far better than Mitch did in NCC, and that’s where the votes are.
KWS received 22% last time. I received 20%. The difference is 1100 votes. That margin has been more than made up for by registration gains in Sussex alone. The normal Primary turnout in Wilmington is 5,000 votes. In 2012 it was over 12,000 because of the mayoral contest. KWS got herself on the Wilmington ticket by hook and by crook.
I also think the poll is premature. There are numerous people considering this run, and understanding that it needs to be one one one. Bryon Short is one of them. Being from New Castle and being an elected officials certainly will give him a boost in that county. Being heterosexual will also help him avoid the “Mitch Crane abandoned his wife and children for the man he is living with now” bs that KWS and her allies used with much effect in some areas in Wilmington and lower NCC ( but to no effect in conservative Sussex).
KWS will not go uncontested, is she decides to run. I believe and have always believed that the Insurance Commissioner needs to be a consumer advocate who understands the industry, and will work to bring more competition into Delaware. I hope someone more electable than I runs, but it will not go uncontested!
Go for it Mitch.
Please let me correct myself. KWS received 32% in 2012. I received 30%.
I do not wish to run and would be happy to support one of the New Castle County area elected officials who are considering.
^^^ +1!
EDIT — that’s for Mitch running again.
I would have included Mitch in this if I thought he wanted to run again. If you want to run again, Mitch, you would have my support, and I would hope, a 1 on 1 race with KWS.
Another name that I have heard mentioned for IC is Trinidad Navarro. I’ll ask him about it the next time I see him.
I do hope Short goes for it! I decided I was a bit over my head on this one, the local school board is more of my style… Short however, would make a great IC… As would Mitch, Mitch is great wherever you put him
I thought Navarro was looking at running for County Exec. if Gordon runs for Governor.
KWS always runs a filthy campaign, up to and including her usual last-minute lies of someone supposedly having assaulted her. Bryon Short needs to preemptively fight fire with fire and pull out all the stops because she will do it herself. She never takes the “high road” and neither should he. All he has to do is expose her corruption and of course her incompetence and fake resume. He has all the information. Piece of cake, and screw the “political higher-ups”.
Wonder who the other five of seven idjits are, besides Gene Reed and John Tinsley, who voted for KWS in the Del Lib internal poll? Probably the “political higher-ups” who want to keep their cash cow in office.
“All he has to do is expose her corruption and of course her incompetence and fake resume. He has all the information.”
New screen name, same old bullshit. Expose what corruption? The last guy whom I challenged to provide any is now doing jail time.
Give it up, Geezer. You know damn well what the story is and so does everyone else. What else do you call being “in the pockets of the insurance companies”? Is she paying you off now to shill for her?
This has been going on for six, eight years now. Clowns come on here, claim she’s taking money, have no proof, and then accuse anyone who points out the lack of evidence of being in on the conspiracy. Prove it or STFU.
@ Geezer:
You’re pathetic. You should take your own advice and STFU, or no one will take you seriously again, assuming anyone ever did.
Yo, mule, you’re the one with the ‘everybody knows’ allegations. Except you never provide Fact One.
None of us, including Geezer, are in the bag for KWS. But you’re full of it.