1. Penrose Hollins Running for NCC President.
Just one more reason to read DL. Cassandra had the story before anybody. Chris Bullock announces he will not run for reelection in order to spend more time with his family church. And, yesterday, Penrose Hollins announces for County Council President. I’ve made no secret about my respect for Hollins. However, lest we think that his announcement is tantamount to winning the primary, this has happened before. Hollins and Paul Clark battled for this same seat back in 2004, along with NCC Recorder of Deeds Diane Kempski. It was Hollins’ race to lose. And he lost it. Not by much, but Clark didn’t win it, Hollins lost it: Clark: 10,092; Hollins: 9938; and Kempski: 5712. Hollins ran an inexplicably-timid campaign that seemed designed to keep voters from knowing that he was black. Seriously. And this is not Monday morning QB’ing. During the race, a lot of people were wondering, ‘What is Pen doing?’. And, don’t forget, his opponent, Karen Hartley Nagle, has won a statewide primary for US Congress. Granted, it was against Mike Miller and Jerry Northington (I voted for Jerry), but still. If Hollins wins, it would set up a special election for his seat. It would be interesting to see how that would be handled. Who would choose his successor, keeping in mind that the Party picks the candidate as opposed to a primary? It’s a predominantly city district, but it’s a county position.
2. Is Mayor Williams Gonna Run?
Probably. You will recall that, back in March of 2015, he made a clear statement that he would seek reelection. However, he has not yet filed. And, I’ve spoken to a reporter who is at least wondering whether he’ll follow through. Why? What once were firm declarations of candidacy are now being hedged with lines like “If I decide to put myself through this again…”. Thin gruel, I admit. But it demonstrates, perhaps unwittingly, that he’s at least thought about the possibility of not seeking reelection. I encourage the mayor to keep thinking along those lines.
3. The OTHER Dennis Williams Surfaces.
Some people have a pathological need to run. I don’t know why. (Well, actually, yes I do. Every now and then, the stars align and one of these losers gets elected. Including Williams. And, uh, Karen Weldin Stewart, anyone?) Dennis E. Williams is one of those people. No, he’s not running for Congress, his nascent candidacy apparently having died aborning. Instead he’s gonna give the voters of the 10th Rep. District a chance to admit they were wrong when they threw Williams’ sorry ass out of the General Assembly in 2014. Problem is, Sean Matthews proved the voters right. Even with Pete & Val parking political operatives in the 10th to save one of their lackeys, Matthews defeated Williams by a 55-45 margin. It will be much larger this time, but, hey, Dennis, thanks for the filing fee. Although I now must dig into my pockets to send some $$’s Matthews’ way. He is already one of the most valuable legislators we have in Dover, especially on education.
4. The Case of the Vanishing Opponent for Patti Blevins.
It’s a mystery, and I can’t solve it. I need your help. I swear I’m not hallucinating. This time. Last Friday, someone filed as an R to run against Patti Blevins in the 7th Senatorial District. There was even a press release. I remember that he had glasses, and that it wasn’t Clark Kent. Cue Gil Scott-Heron:
As of now, any record of such a candidate has been erased. He has since ‘unfiled’, or has been unfiled. I can’t even find the release. I know I should have written his name down. I made a mental note, but lately, my mental notes are written in invisible ink. So, kids, help me out. Who was this guy, and what happened? After all, as we were just reminded, Vince Foster’s killer is still out there. Even if the truth isn’t. My uneducated guess?: Bounced check.
5. Sanders Qualifies for Delaware Presidential Primary.
He joins Trump, Kasich, Bush, and Rubio.
6. Filings.
New ones for this week: State Rep. Kevin Hensley (R) , 9th RD; State Rep. Mike Mulrooney (D), 17th RD; Brenda Ann Wootten (D), Kent County Clerk of the Peace.
OK, that’s it for this week. What’d I miss, and whaddayathink?