1. Will Wilmington House Delegation Suck Even More Next Year? All signs point to yes. Rep. J. J. Johnson, who doesn’t live in Wilmington, but represents a small portion of the city, is retiring. Regardless of who succeeds him, they will inevitably have huge shoes to fill. Johnson is among the best legislators to serve in Dover in the past 20 years. And now, with Helene Keeley announcing that she will not seek reelection, we could well see a parade of puffed-up egos running for office. By this time next week, some of the usual suspects will likely step up. The other incumbent Wilmington state reps?: Charles Potter, Stephanie Bolden, and Gerald Brady. Their mathematical formula?: 3 x 0=0.
2. Politics Abhors A Vacuum: RD 17 Edition. With Mike Mulrooney out, it didn’t take long for two white guys to jump in. Dave Roberts, who finished a distant third in the D primary for New Castle County President in 2016; and Michael Burns, about whom I know nothing. There was a Robert Burns (not the Scottish bard) who ran against Jeff Mack in this district back in 1984. Maybe he’s related. Pretty sure Burns was a big union guy. I still make Melissa Minor-Brown the strong favorite…especially with two white guys running as well.
3. Tom Carper Gets An R Challenger…Sort-Of. When is a challenger not a challenger? When he has (I’m not making this up) filed for US Senate in seven different states and doesn’t live in Delaware. His name? Roque De La Fuente. This guy. Filed in seven states, now including Delaware. Actually eight. But he finished way off the pace in the Cali (he actually lives there) US Senate primary. I’m sure the powers-that-be will lean on Elaine Manlove to make sure that he’s not on the primary ballot. Such exalted status is only reserved for non-residents like Park City Cathy.
4. Rich Total Wines Guy Trying To Buy Seat In Congress. David Trone, who tried and failed to buy a seat in a different Maryland congressional district in 2016, is on track to spend $11 mill this time. He’s running against a much more deserving candidate, but his money might give him the edge. Hey, when it comes to wine, give me Kreston’s or Moore Brothers any day of the week. They don’t lure you in with phony loss leaders and then rip you off.
5. The Democratic Candidate For State Treasurer. Of course I will vote for her instead of Ken ‘Mr. Budget Smoothing’ Simpler. However, I defy you to read her own profile and tell me what she has actually done. Here’s a little more from a piece in the Delaware State News. What does being a ‘consultant for major hospital systems’ mean? I’d like to know. Is that unreasonable? More information please. There’s something a little too selective about her online profile. What is she leaving out, and why?
6. Lisa Blunt Rochester Files For Reelection. It’s a low bar, but she’s been marginally better than Carper and Coons. Still not fully-formed as a legislator, she shows some potential to move to the left of Carper and Coons. And Carney. And she doesn’t fixate on ‘reaching across the aisle’. Jury’s still out, though. Limited sample size so far.
That’s it for this week. What’d I miss, and whaddayathink?