Delaware Political Weekly: May 20-26, 2016 (Delayed By the Holidays Edition).
1. Dennis Williams Can’t, So Won’t, Defend His Public Safety Record.
Just stop and think about what the Mayor’s absence from last week’s Public Safety debate says. It says that the entire raison d’etre for his mayoralty (‘You won’t recognize this city in six months’) has been an utter disaster. Shooting worse than ever, the Mayor turning up his nose at professional assistance and cash from the General Assembly. His legacy so disastrous that he dare not even show up at a debate that can only serve to spotlight his abject hubris and failure as mayor. Nevertheless, the Mayor chose the week that he chose not to defend his public safety record in public to file for reelection. Somehow, that suits him. For you completists out there, Maria Cabrera has still not filed for Mayor. Nor will she.
2. Harris McDowell Gets a Primary Challenger.
Not exactly one to get the heart racing, however. One Joseph D. McCole, an apartment dweller along River Road. The only Joseph D. McCole I could find is a realtor with Weichert, he’s in his early 60’s, and he’s a Virgo. Need I point out that it’s gonna be exceptionally difficult for someone who is not from the city to win a primary where the focus is on the Mayor’s race? If someone like Dave Brady, who at least had name recognition, couldn’t come close, I can’t see McCole being competitive. But more power to him.
3. Waynna Dobson Enters Wilmington At-Large Primary Race.
Someone, Dorothy Parker maybe, coined the term ‘famous for being famous’ decades ago. Long before ‘reality TV’ (arguably the greatest oxymoron ever) became, um, reality. Which brings me to Waynna’s World. Would-Be Famous for Being Famous. There is a receiver in my brain that automatically switches off when I see stuff like this. Do people actually need someone to tell them that anything’s possible? Are the people telling them this anything but charlatans? Leave-your-brain-at-the-door stuff. Sorry, I know I’m gonna get some blowback on this, and perhaps it’s justified. After all, she is a ‘candid and transparent spokesperson.’ She is also known for ‘uplifting all whom she encounters’. Guess I’ve never met her. This probably isn’t fair, but she is an Executive Assistant to…County Executive Tom Gordon. At least she knows her way around a sleazy government. She should feel right at home.
4. Rysheema Dixon Joins Her. And Impresses.
She actually has a website and everything. She had prepared for this run since late last year, and only just filed. I’m impressed with her bio. I mean, really impressed. An Americorps Alum, with a legit record of accomplishment, even at the age of 29. Achievements in business and community organization. A lot of community involvement. I think we need more substantive candidates like her for office throughout the state, and fewer legends in their own minds. I can see her as part of Wilmington’s future.
5. Libertarians Field Gubernatorial Candidate.
BTW, didja know that John Carney hasn’t yet filed? (Nor has Colin Bonini.) Keep hope alive! But, I digress. Sean Goward has gotten the Libertarian nod, and, since I can’t bring myself to vote for Carney, let’s check this guy out, shall we? I’ve checked him out, and I’d say he’s worth checking out. Libertarian principles that Steve Newton (I think) would embrace, as might some of our readership. Perhaps including me. There’s nothing he’s written that would automatically cause me to dismiss him from consideration.
6. Rethugs Field A Couple of Retreads for State House Races.
Lee Murphy in the 6th RD against Debra Heffernan, and Judy Travis in the 10th against (most likely) Sean Matthews. I just love Murphy’s website, which could easily be renamed unemployedgenericactor.com. Be sure to check out his resume to learn what other Special Skills he possesses in addition to: ‘Driving Stick Shift’ and ‘Extensive Wardrobe’. He’s not just an empty suit, he’s a lot of empty suits. I hope he runs every two years for entertainment value alone.
Judy Travis has run and lost a couple of times for State Rep. First, against Bryon Short (Short 57%, Travis 41%), then, following redistricting, against Sean Matthews (Matthews 55%, Travis 45%). BTW, It’s pretty easy to put your name on the ballot every two years. All ya’ gotta do is change the Election Day date (check) and change out-of-date references (oops) on your website. Oh, Lee? Judy? You might want to provide an up-to-date picture so that people will recognize you. Just a helpful suggestion. Don’t let the 55-45 margin from 2014 fool you. Some of those votes were from bitter ex-Dennis Williams supporters, and, as we know, 2014 was a disastrous year for D turnout. It’ll be a lot less close this year, as will the primary between Matthews and Williams.
7. Rep. David Wilson On His Way Out?
Signs point to yes. One Robert Mitchell has filed as an R in Wilson’s 35th District. Well, it looks like he’s gearing up for a primary with the marble-mouthed auctioneer based on his allusion to the September 13 primary here. He looks like someone vaguely famous, but I’m not sure who. John Laroquette perhaps? Anyway. Jee-zus, that generic mission statement has killed a couple more of my remaining brain cells. I guess no sense in saving them until Carney wipes out whatever’s left.
8. Like Father, Like Son.
Quite the stealth election. Ken Woods won the Special Election in New Castle County Council District 1 last Tuesday, and will fill out the term of the late Joe Reda. Woods’ father represented the district before resigning and paving the way for Reda’s appointment and subsequent election. Like his father Bob, Woods is a union rep with the Sheet Metal Workers. Woods got about 70% of the vote against chronic R candidate Doug Suiter.
9. Filings.
State Senator Patti Blevins (D-SD 7); Wilm. City Councilman Nnamdi Chukwuocha (CD1) (yes, I cut and pasted it).
All in all, a pretty active week. What’d I miss, and whaddayathink?
Tags: Delaware elections 2016
So… What are Dennis Williams’ real chances? He seems universally reviled to me, but I’ll grant that my Wilmo focus group is rather small.
Surprisingly high for someone demonstrating such open contempt for the electorate. Driving around his area of Wilmington, the Williams yard signs are quite numerous, and with an eight way primary, the “anyone but Williams” majority will be splintered. It’s very much a question of how many people who voted for him before will not be voting for him this year. If that number is low, he’ll probably get reelected.
There’s reason to hope, though. Theo Gregory and Norm Giriffith live in that area and have shown an ability to get elected to city-wide office, so they may be pulling votes from Williams. Young is running a true city-wide campaign that may cut into that too, and Purzycki, who for the most part appears to relying on the strategy that didn’t work for Bill Montgomery in 2012, is rumored to have made an alliance with Charles Potter. If this is true, or any of the other candidates can harness Potter’s GOTV effort (or Potter simply doesn’t lend it to Williams), that could result in more votes lost. If the Potters and Williams patch things up for whatever reason, though,watch out.
Theo Gregory’s parting gift to the City of Wilmington may be preventing another Williams term.
PS I also wonder if people will rally around the independent candidate, Steven Washington, in the event Williams wins the primary.
Re: Sean Goward for Governor (L): Libertarian principles that Steve Newton (I think) would embrace, as might some of our readership.
I know Sean quite well. He’s recently retired from the USAF and settled in Delaware with his family. He was fairly active in online circles with blogging and posting prior to his retirement, but had to do so under a pseudonym due to military policies. He is quietly articulate, genuine in his beliefs, and thoughtful about his policy positions; he’s taking his ideas as seriously as if he could really win and be required to carry them out. He’s also (quite refreshing in any candidate anywhere) willing to consider new information and to modify his positions if the data convinces him that he was initially wrong; in other words, while he has principles, he’s not an ideologue.
Let’s be real here: Carney’s going to win the thing in a walk, so whether we are discussing Lacey Lafferty, Colin Bonini, or Sean Goward we’re actually discussing where you might cast your protest vote. Especially with the national Libertarian Party having just nominated two well-qualified, moderate former Republican governors for its presidential ticket (both far better qualified by experience and temperament than the Donald), this is a year in which even progressives might choose Libertarian for such without having to hold their noses (at least not that tightly).
Truth in advertising: if you vote for Sean you’d also be voting for somebody with a very strong pro-2nd Amendment stance (he’s both an advocate for, and a practitioner of, open carry), which would probably make most liberals and progressive unwilling to support him if they thought he had any chance of winning.
(On the other hand, he’s not gonna film himself shooting in the direction of the camera and call it a campaign ad.)
I would still suggest that his positions on education, government spending, etc., etc., merit more support than those of the GOP’s potential protest candidates (with a positive nod toward Bonini on civil forfeiture, a position Sean also takes).
That’s about as comprehensively honest as I can be about a good friend and overall good guy who’s doing this because he thinks his policy ideas need a public airing. (For final truth in advertising, due to no fault of the LPD I reached the point at which I’ve divorced myself at least for the present from party politics, and no longer hold any position with the party and do not currently participate in party activities. I guess that means I’ve become a “small-L” libertarian.)
(he’s both an advocate for, and a practitioner of, open carry)
What’s the short hand for “oh GAWD, one of those.” ?
Well, jason, aside from noting that former “award-winning” DE State Trooper Lace Lafferty is also a practitioner of open carry, if that’s your make-or-break issue in a protest candidate, you’re pretty much stuck with Colin Bonini. Unfortunately, Colin comes with the most dangerous qualification for any protest candidate: a mathematical if statistically almost insignificant, chance of winning.
Thanks, Dan, and that reminds me: Whose signs are you seeing and where? Keep in mind that signs on right-of-way mean nothing.
I stopped down to Moore Brothers today. On Delaware Ave between 95 and DuPont Street, I saw several Poppiti signs and a couple of Purzycki signs on lawns, although I think one of the Purzycki signs was at an apartment building. Also a Maier sign.
Headed out Broom Street on the way back, and saw at least 5 Gordon signs on lawns, one Bernie, one Hillary, one or two Potter, and one Maier.
Also saw a Gregory sign on right-of-way with perhaps the most ridiculous message I’ve seen: “Wilmington’s Next Mayor”. Guess there’s no need to vote for him then, he’s got it in the bag.
I’ve seen Gordon signs in Union Park Gardens. Have seen an equal number of Williams, Griffiths and Gregory signs north of Concord Ave. But you know who has more signs than all of them? Hillary. Have seen (and have a photo of one) Gregory signs camped out at vacant houses.
Matt Meyer needs new campaign signs. His name is too small and hard to read.
Hope someone in his campaign is reading this……..when they do a re-order!!
My question for (should the impossible occur) Gov. Bonini: If you’ve never voted for a state budget while in the Senate, would you veto every one you see as governor?
Just a heads up…. word on the street is David Grimaldi is running for 4th City Council District seat.
@IF: Good. Maybe someone will check out his resume now.
“Sean Goward has gotten the Libertarian nod, and, since I can’t bring myself to vote for Carney, let’s check this guy out, shall we? I’ve checked him out, and I’d say he’s worth checking out. ”
And after you are done checking him out, you should realize that there is no there there.
Fiscal Policy “In four years, I want to reduce spending by half, eliminate the gross receipts tax and reduce or eliminate the corporate and personal income tax,..”
Let’s see reduce spending by half by cutting what? Pick something. Anything. Cut the budget in half? Maybe we should start with DSU. There’s a cool $34M saved. Next?
That’s intellectually dishonest cherry-picking. Anyone who bothers to read his positions can see that.
I’m not saying I’d support him, just saying that nothing he wrote there would rule him out. Now, if he’s an unreconstructed 2nd Amendment stalwart as Steve Newton says, then maybe.
But seriously, WTF have we seen from John Carney? Literally nothing. And his failure/refusal to even bother to engage is disrespectful to the voters. Always knew he was an empty suit. An arrogant prick, I hadn’t figured on.
Blacklivesmatter town hall meeting healing our village one day at a time location Longshoreman Hall Wilmington Delaware topic expansion of the port Tuesday June 7th 6PM – 8 p.m.
There will be a Building Better Relationships Between Comunity and Police Workshop on Tuesday June 21 at 11am held in the Multipurpose Room of the police station sponsored by S.U.N. and WPD.
Why haven’t you mentioned Kelley. He is focused and passionate about bringing city back to safe n prosperous.
“That’s intellectually dishonest cherry-picking. ”
No it isn’t. It is his fiscal policy. It’s clearly stated. You may think that it’s small deal and so refer to it as cherry picking. I think it’s a big deal regardless of whether they are cherries because Delaware already has trouble balancing it’s budget and if you are going to state up front your intent to cut the budget by half, you had better have some beef to back it up by explaining how. That’s my criteria. Yours may be different.