Delaware Political Weekly: Jan. 5-11, 2018
1. Well, That’s Quite The AG Race We Have Now.
While I’m sure that there were insiders who might have known about this, I don’t know of anybody who was predicting a Kathleen Jennings-LaKresha Roberts Democratic primary even a week ago. And, yes, I think it will be a two-person race. What longtime political observers are missing, I think is the degree to which the Delaware Democratic Party as an entity can no longer determine, nor perhaps has any desire to determine, who gets the rub in races like these. This whole ‘run for something’ ethos that has encouraged political novices to run for office and, as was borne out in Virginia, win, is a phenomenon that may well be here to stay. With grassroots organizations and volunteers more than capable of buttressing such candidacies, the political playbook is being revised as we speak. We’ll have plenty of time to determine who should be AG, but don’t underestimate the millenial tide beginning to form.
2. Speaking Of ‘Run For Something’…
An encouraging tidbit from Blue Delaware:
We already have a Run For Something success story here in Delaware: In the 36th RD, represented forever by Republican Harvey Kenton, Democrat Donald Allan, Jr. is running to make a difference. And he is running on local issues:
“I’m an atypical candidate. I’m 36, married with a 3 year old daughter, and a carpenter. I will be running with the help of the national group Run For Something. The main focus of my campaign will be on the water issues that we are having in my part of Sussex County, as well as middle class “kitchen table” issues.”
This appears to be the Allan Family business.
A longshot candidacy? Perhaps. However, to quote the Buffalo Springfield: ‘There’s something happening here, what it is ain’t exactly clear’. The times they are a’changin’. OK, I’ll stop. I’m old. Everyone knows it.
3. Sean Lynn Running For Reelection Instead Of AG.
I say ‘good’. I really like Rep. Lynn, but I’m not sure how he could have transitioned from a local House race to a statewide run. Plus, we really need him in the State House. One of the very few progressives in the Schwartzkopf-dominated caucus, he can make a huge difefrence in Dover. I do have a cautionary note to add, however. While I love the influx of younger female candidates into Democratic electoral politics, I’m somewhat concerned that progressive men are being consigned to also-run status. You don’t want to lose accomplished progressives like Townsend and Lynn. Not to mention that when the only thing going for you is your race and gender (yes, I mean you, Lisa Blunt Rochester), race and gender should not be the primary determinants of political success.
4. Filing.
Jack Bucchioni, the D who had announced his candidacy for Steve Smyk’s 20th RD seat last week, filed this week. Which reminds me, will somebody in the know please tell everybody when the New Castle County filing fees will be set and candidates will be able to file? It’s been three months since Sussex County candidates started filing.
That’s it for this week. What’d I miss and whaddayathink?
New Castle County has a vote on filing fees on the executive committee agenda for next Wednesday. It is unusual for those fees to be set before January of the election year. You can ask Kent why they set them so early, but they are the outlier here.
The lackluster, backwards thinking of the Dem 36th committee leadership will surely find a way to sink Mr. Allan’s boat. They are disfunctional at best. Especially the idiot chair.
What looks lackluster and backwards to us is simply the normal functioning of the remaining Dixiecrats as they slip into obscurity. We still have some in party positions in Lower NCC, but probably not for long.
In defense of LBR, it’s not as if she’s following a long line of distinguished Delaware congressmen. If the alternative is just another white guy, then why not the barrier-breaker? She’s certainly an improvement over our first female governor.
Don’t worry, you’ll get your beer when LaKresha Roberts wins. Not a good sign that you got her name wrong, though.
“What looks lackluster and backwards to us is simply the normal functioning of the remaining Dixiecrats as they slip into obscurity” You are describing the committee in 2006-2010. When Milton was separated, the Dixiecrats left with them. So much for the Democratic stronghold of Sussex County, eh? Since then the committee is dominated by Milford people. You should simply regard it as a ghost committee, since no one wants to do anything except play king of the hill. Inflated egos abound. That and backwards leadership that can’t get out of its own way. One runs for Lt. Gov. Can you say “separated from reality”? One is a snarling doberman who forgets to take his meds. Leadership? Frankly it reminds me of the White House it is so disorganized. Dixiecrats? No. Tomfoolery? Yes.
I stand corrected. Thanks for the update.
What will the new AG do to KHN. This one let her get away with everything in the book . Literally
The new AG will do nothing about KHN. I see nothing in her actions, or lack thereof, that even resemble criminality. Lying about loans and such are such low-level infractions that any investigation let alone prosecution would look politically motivated and would net the AG nothing but grief.
I hope no one else sees it your way
By all means, tell me what she’s done that could be criminal. And be aware that the AG’s office does not investigate or prosecute politicians. That’s done by the feds in Delaware.