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?