Delaware Political Weekly: May 4-10, 2018
1. It’s Carper-Harris For Real. Any lingering questions as to whether Carberbot would go to the post this year were answered as Shufflin’ Tom filed this week. A nominal Democrat, Carper will once again be carrying the banner for, and filthy lucre from, big banks, big pharma, the insurance industry, and all the other Third Way corporate interests who have kidnapped the Democratic Party. Kerri Harris will carry the banner for the rest of us. Here’s her donations page. You know what to do.
2. Chris Johnson Files. Field For AG Set. Chris Johnson, the only candidate in the Democratic field for Attorney General with a transformative vision for the office, has filed. Meaning, the field is presumably set. Only Chris Johnson has this vision for the office. He’s after nothing less than completely reordering the traditional priorities of the office. And it’s not bullshit. If you ever get the chance to talk to him one-on-one or in a group setting, you will quickly find out how deeply he has thought about his vision and how deeply knowledgeable he is on criminal justice issues not just locally, but nationally. I don’t want you to take my word for it. Make a point to see him and take the measure of the person. I believe that, if you do, you will be as all-in on his candidacy as I am. And, yes, I’m all in. One of the most inspiring candidates I’ve seen during my years in politics.
3. Which Incumbents Haven’t Filed? We’re omitting those who have announced their retirements and we’re only looking at state legislative races. Here are the holdouts: Sen. Bob Marshall (SD 3); Sen. Greg Lavelle (SD 4); Sen. Bryan Townsend (SD 11); Rep. Helene Keeley (RD 3); Rep. Quin Johnson (RD 8); Rep. Sean Matthews (RD 10); Rep. PAL Longhurst (RD 15); Rep. David Bentz (RD 19); Rep. Stephen Smyk (RD 20); Rep. Andria Bennett (RD 32); Rep. Ruth Briggs King (RD 37); Rep. Ronald Gray (RD 38); Rep. Timothy Dukes (RD 40). Some interesting names on that list. Anybody want to break some news today, or, at least, toss out a well-founded rumor?
4. Jordan Hines To Face Tizzy Lockman (and Bob Marshall?) In SD 3 D Primary. Hines filed this week. Far be it for me to suggest an alternative path, but, with the Wilmington delegation in the State House of Reps consisting largely of self-dealers, wouldn’t it at least make some sense for Hines to look at a race for a House seat instead of challenging one of the best legislative candidates to emerge in the City since, well, I don’t go that far back? Especially since it looks like his State Rep is part-time receptionist Stephanie Bolden? Here’s his website.
5. Filings. Sen. Bryant Richardson (R-SD 21); Scott Gesty (L-RD 7); Sussex County Register Of Wills Cynthia Green (R).
That’s it for this week. What’d I miss, and whaddayathink?
Of the incumbents that haven’t filed, who is never going to file?
Briggs King, Gray and Dukes are all a lock for running again.
The Dukes and Bennett responses are a little wishful thinking.
Dukes will have that seat until he decides to run for something else. He’s very popular and has huge name rec.
I think Marshall is clearly the most likely not to file. But he’s held out til the last minute before. I don’t see any way that Marshall can win that race, though.
I also think that there is at least a possibility that another legislator may choose not to fill out the remaining two years of their term.
El Som, does that mean you think one of the senators elected or re-elected in 2016 will be stepping down mid-term? Just wanting clarification.
Oh, believe it or not (I don’t believe it), there’ve been some whispers about our gal PAL.
Why would she give up one of her two sinecures? Especially since no primary challenger has appeared on the horizon.
SW-Yes, I think it’s possible. Less than 50%, but more than 10%.
Bob Marshall’s goose is cooked. It’s already too dry for my taste, honestly. He knows.
@SW: Sussex Republicans are why there will never be a state GOP.
Alby, not sure what your point is. I never said otherwise.
And Jason, it’s only Carper-Harris as long as Harris actually runs. I’m somewhat skeptical. If she has a campaign outside of social media, I’d love to see it. I’ve donated, but I’m not convinced she is going to even be able to raise the money to file. $10,440 is a lot for a grassroots campaign.
If anyone out there reading is with the Harris campaign, PLEASE prove me wrong. Is she doing anything to campaign other than attending conferences and tweeting? Are you actively asking people for money? Do you have any new policy positions that will excite voters on the edge?
@SW: It wasn’t a rejoinder to you. I was just observing that a party in which Tim Dukes is popular will never get a cent of upstate Republican money, and with good reason. And so it will remain a parochial party of downstate dead-enders.