Delaware Political Weekly: Feb. 26-March 3, 2016

1. Speaker Pete Faces Primary Challenge.

First, let me start out by saying that I’ll be sending Donald Peterson a few bucks.  I don’t know if he can win, I don’t even know if he’ll be competitive.  But I know that Pete Schwartzkopf has been a disaster as a Speaker and as a leader in the Democratic Party.  He cut budget deals with the R’s and shut his own caucus out of the process.  He helped emasculate a minimum wage increase.  He has been an avowed enemy of death penalty repeal.  He and his henchperson, Vindictive Val Longhurst, have ruled the D caucus and the entire House, for that matter, through fear. He has essentially continued to govern like a state cop without a camera trained on him. Peterson is challenging him from the left.  On Schwartzkopf’s death penalty repeal opposition. On Schwartzkopf’s anti-progressive budget deals.  On his bullying tactics.  It is now clear that several RD committee members resigned, at least some due to their unhappiness over his death penalty repeal opposition. This is a primary that had to happen.  A very interesting primary.

2. Stephanie Hansen Is Not Running Against Tom Gordon.

Why? Well, hypothetically speaking, imagine that you work for a law firm. And that law firm may hypothetically have occasion to get contracts from the county and/or to face the approbation by higher-ups from said county. Hypothetically, said law firm would not want to be in that position. And, hypothetically, you just might have some sense as to why Hansen is not running.  Bottom line, however, is that she isn’t running.

3. D Congressional Primary Field Expands…

…no, not Lisa Blunt Rochester, at least not yet.  Rather, serial candidate Micheal Miller has paid his filing fee and once again faces near-universal shunning.  His motto? “Just Give Me A Chance to Serve You.”  Uh, no. I do have a fantasy/nightmare question for everybody.  Assume that a bizarre set of circumstances set up a Miller/Izzo race for a statewide race.  Who would win?  Or perhaps, would a third-party candidate, say…Mike Protack, emerge victorious?

4. D Wilmington Mayor Primary Field Expands…

…no not incumbent Mayor Dennis P. Williams, at least not yet.  Rather, former City Councilman and 2012 mayoral candidate Kevin Kelley. Allow me to state the obvious: At this point, assuming that Mayor Williams  runs for reelection, there are just too many candidates vying for the not-Williams votes.  Too much dilution of those votes ensures Williams’ reelection. We’re at the point where Wilmington needs fewer candidates, not more, in the race.

5.  One R State Rep Will Not Seek Reelection.

After missing much of the last session due to health reasons, State Rep. Harold Peterman (R-33rd RD) somewhat surprisingly sought, and won, reelection. He first survived a primary challenge from Charles Postles by a 64.5 to 35.5 margin, and then defeated D John Kevin Robbins, 58-42.  However, two Republicans have already filed for this seat, which they likely wouldn’t do if Peterman didn’t give them the go-ahead. Postles is once again seeking the seat, and one Morgan Ann Hudson has also filed.  Hudson’s website seems…incomplete and kinda weird.  All I can say is that I could find nothing about her doing a Google search.  Anybody out there with any info?

6. Carney Announces Campaign Team.

From yesterday’s News-Journal.  Was kinda surprised that Brenda Mayrack wasn’t among the names, but I’m sure she’ll have a nice job in a Carney administration. She’s a better public servant than candidate, so she deserves one. BTW, looks like yet another Paradee is being groomed.

6. This Week’s Filings.

State Sen. Bruce Ennis (D-14th SD); State Rep. Melanie George Smith (D-5th RD);  State Rep. J. J. Johnson (D-16th RD); State Rep. Trey Paradee (D-29th RD); Kent County Levy Court Commissioner Allan Angel (D-3rd District); Hanifa Shabazz for President of Wilmington City Council.

Well, that’s it for this week. What’d I miss and whaddayathink?