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?