The Incumbent: Gerald Brady.
District Registration: 9024 D; 4548 R; 4347 I.
The District: RD 4 runs from western Wilmington, including Trolley Square and the Flats west through Westover Hills, out past Chestnut Run and almost to Hockessin, with Barley Mill Road and Lancaster Pike as the northernmost boundaries and Faulkland Road as the southernmost boundary. The bulk of the district’s population and registration, however, remains within the City of Wilmington limits. The District also includes Alapocas.
Why it’s time for a change: While he’s never been particularly progressive, Brady has gone off the tracks even more this year. He voted against ensuring Roe v Wade protections in Delaware and voted for the end of the Estate Tax. Brady’s one obsession during his time in Dover has been to install red light cameras virtually everywhere. Including, I might add, the cameras that led to the City of Wilmington having to refund fines derived from its most rip-off locations. His dad was a well-known and beloved Wilmington pol, and Gerald parlayed that into getting elected to Wilmington City Council. His family ties, his photographic memory when it comes to constituents, and his likeability have served him well in his career. In fact, it’s all this long-time back-bencher has going for him. However, his behavior has become more erratic over the years, visible to legislators and constituents alike. If, indeed, the current word circulating around Legislative Hall is true, then his trademark ‘likeability’ is in serious jeopardy in his district. More specifically, on his home turf. Even his union ties have become frayed. He’s Executive Director of the State AFL-CIO, but even they have not been happy with recent votes on his part.
He’s a back-bencher and a Schwartzkopf enabler. He is also likely more vulnerable to an R challenger like James Spadola than someone more in touch with reality and more conversant with the issues. In other words, this is an excellent opportunity for a progressive challenger. I would hope that Network Delaware and Delaware United have this race on their radar. I certainly do.