Delaware Political Weekly: Jan. 8-14, 2016
1. Cathy Cloutier Gets a D Challenger.
Denise D. Bowers has filed to run against State Senator Cathy Cloutier for the 5th SD seat in Brandywine Hundred. Based on registration, this projects as a competitive race. Current figures: 13,703 D; 11,169 R; and 8790 I.
Her candidacy does not come without questions. She is a 21-year veteran of the Wilmington Police Department, although it’s not entirely clear that she was on duty for all that time. She filed at least two legal actions concerning her job during her time on the force. The first deals with compensation for a scar on her knee, aka a ‘ serious and permanent disfigurement’. The second was a prolonged litigation concerning her ‘involuntary retirement’ from the force. In fact, even though she allegedly was a police officer until 2008, it is not clear whether she was on the job after 2005, when she suffered the knee injury mentioned in the second suit. A swift Google search also reveals several actions brought against Bowers and her husband for unpaid taxes on rental properties in Wilmington. OTOH, Bowers is president of the Northwood Civic Association and is currently the State Director of the Treatment Access Center, the liaison between the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health and the courts system. I’m sure that some of you must have met her. I need feedback, pipples!
2. “Our Friendly Beehive State”.
Hey, it’s the only song I know about Utah, which appears to have been the legal residence of Lt. Governor candidate Kathleen McGuiness in 2012, when she voted there. She’s also been a D, an R, and an IPOD member during her time in Delaware. Hey, if she wasn’t a BFF of Pistol Pete Schwartzkopf, nobody would take her seriously…if anybody takes her seriously.
3. Purzycki Is In.
Filed for the D primary for Wilmington Mayor. Here’s his campaign website. I expect him to be a formidable candidate with the movers and shakers. Whether one supports him or not, there is a pretty compelling case for him:
Mr. Purzycki has been Executive Director of the Riverfront Development Corporation for nearly twenty years, overseeing the massive transformation of a once unused industrial wasteland into a thriving and successful corporate and entertainment destination. Throughout his tenure, he has been involved in the planning, acquisition of land, and development of more than $900 million of public and private investment, bringing more than 6,000 jobs into the city and $30 million in annual revenue to the state.
A former New Castle County Councilman (1982-1991), he serves as the Chairman of the Wilmington Hope Commission and served on the boards of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League and the Wilmington Housing Partnership.
4. So Is Trinidad Navarro.
For Insurance Commissioner in a primary against Karen Weldin Stewart and Paul Gallagher. FWIW, he worked as a licensed insurance agent for awhile. His bio doesn’t mention for how long. Here’s his campaign website.
5. Other Filings This Week, Including Ruh-Roh…
Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf, 14th Rep. District; Councilman Jea Street, NCC District 10; Robert Williams, Wilmington City Council District 7; John Brady (D), Sussex County Clerk of the Peace; and Mark Schaeffer (R), Sussex County Council District 3. Hmm, that last name sounds familiar. Didn’t he get into some sort of trouble when he was Smyrna mayor? Back in a sec, don’t go away…why, yes, yes he did. He got caught fixing his own election for mayor of Smyrna in 2005. Got away with it, until he got his ass kicked in 2007. Which makes him a perfect candidate for Sussex County Council.
Tags: Cathy Cloutier, Denise Bowers, El Somnambulo, Kathleen McGuiness, Mark Schaeffer, Mike Purzycki, Steve Tanzer Delaware, Trinidad Navarro
Anybody in SC have the backstory on this:
Claire Snyder-Hall (FB)
2 hrs
Just as a clarification, Mikki and I are no longer members of the 14th RD Democratic Party committee or active in the Sussex County Democratic Party. We are putting our energy towards issues and progressive community building.
Jason,
Claire, since becoming involved with Common Cause, has gone the nonpartisan / non-party progressive issue route. From my experience, to be involved with or speaking on behalf of Common Cause requires some distance from active party politics.
Steve,
I would not consider the 5th competitive merely because we have a warm body opposing Cloutier. We need a credible significant challenger, and it is not immediately clear that challenger is Denise Bowers. Cathy has done very well by her district, moving with the issues as need be (hence her survival against Chris Counihan).
True. Keep in mind, though, that Pat Morrison really had Cathy sweating, and the registration was far less favorable to a D than it is now. I’ve always felt that a woman had a better chance against Cathy.
Whether Bowers is that person remains to be seen. I’m skeptical based on the questions I’ve raised, but there’s plenty of time for Bowers to let everyone know what she’s all about.
Frank Shade has expressed an interest in running for Sussex District 3. His registration is D. His views? Not so much.
Isn’t he the Punkin Chunkin guy?
Yes, he is a big punkin chunker and was one of the first Paramedics in Sussex and helped develop the Sussex EMS program as it is today. Also helps a lot with Autism awareness.
Not much of a banner waving Democrat, though.
Mr. Shade became a R a few months ago. He is one of 3 I hear may run in the R primary.
We have a good Dem, an environmental attorney, who will be announcing and filing next week.
I don’t know Denise outside of a professional relationship, but I like her. She is hardworking, no nonsense and compassionate. I’m not going to judge on the financial issues, I’ve had my own over the years.
Thanks, that’s why I asked.