Delaware Political Weekly: Feb. 14-20, 2020
1. Word on the street is that Deborah Harrington flat-out killed at the last New Castle County Democratic Party meeting. I was told by an attendee that she was positively inspirational. Harrington is running against R incumbent Kevin Hensley in the 9th RD, which meanders west of the Delaware River from just south of Delaware City to Smyrna. Here’s a map. The current registration numbers are 9835 D; 6786 R; and 5746 I. Since Rebecca Walker’s hasty retreat from the General Assembly, the D’s have not, to put it mildly, fielded their best candidate. All that changes with Harrington. She’s been canvassing non-stop, she is working closely with County Council candidate Kevin Caneco, and she has the type of background that can succeed in this swing district. As in a stellar 25-year military career and a spate of post-military accomplishments. Here’s her Facebook page. I know it may sound like hyperbole, but it’s not. I have never seen a better group of insurgent candidates in Delaware than what I’ve seen this year. Jess Scarane, Sarah McBride, Marie Pinkney, Kyle Evans Gay, Larry Lambert, Madinah Wilson-Anton, Stephanie Barry, Luann D’Agostino, Eric Morrison, Coby Owens, and many more. If I’ve excluded anyone, it’s not on purpose. If you enjoy campaigning, there’s simply no excuse not to get involved.
2. Aja Ajavon Files For NCC President. She finished a distant second in her primary race in RD 5, losing by a 2-1 margin to eventual winner Kendra Johnson. Monique Johns is also rumored to be considering this race. Incumbent Karen Hartley-Nagle and Ciro Poppiti have already filed.
3. It’s Official–Rysheema Dixon To Challenge Hanifa Shabazz For Wilmington City Council President. This being Wilmington, we can’t really be sure that other candidates won’t follow. Dixon currently serves as an At-Large member of Council meaning, she, like Shabazz has run citywide before. Here is her Council page. Her run for Council President obviously opens up her At-Large seat, and politics, like nature, abhors a vacuum.
4. Filings. State Rep. Jeff Spiegelman (R-11th) and State Rep. John Kowalko (D-25th).
That’s it for this week. What’d I miss, and whaddayathink?
You missed Michelle Wall announcing for State Senate District 14
That’s a significant development. I had been told that she was going to run for reelection for the Apoquinimink School Board. But they are indeed two separate elections, so I’m sure that Nancy’s correct that she can also run in the primary. There is also a pro-marijuana candidate who has announced that she’s running.
I still think that it is not certain that Bruce will run again. Especially with a credible D candidate, and I believe that Wall is that, facing him in a primary.
This year gets more interesting all the time.
Ennis has already filed
Wall is going to run for two seats at once.
“She announced at the January board meeting she will campaign for reelection to her school board spot, which she still plans to do.
According to the Delaware Board of Elections website, an individual run for two elected offices as long as they are not on the same ballot. The school board election is May 12 and the general is Nov. 3. If she wins both, she will be required to give up her spot on the school board.
Wall said she plans to run as a Democrat, which would mean challenging District 14 incumbent Bruce Ennis in the primary Sept. 15. The filing deadline is July 14. As of Feb. 14, neither Ennis nor Wall had filed, according to the board of elections.
Wall said she was asked by community members why she announced her intentions in a “non-conventional way.” She said it was important for her to be honest and transparent with the people she serves.
“I don’t think elections should be about appointing your successor, or who’s next in line for a seat,” she said. “It should be about providing people with choices about who represents you.”
According to the New Castle County Board of Elections, one board seat is open this year. Wayne Meadows and Wall are the two candidates so far. The Appoquinimink School District board election is May 12. Candidates must file by March 6.”
https://www.middletowntranscript.com/news/20200217/michelle-wall-to-run-for-state-senate
Kevin Caneco presented at our February Civic League for New Castle Council meeting and was very impressive. I hope everyone takes an interest in helping his race. He is not taking any developer industry money.
Caneco would join Dave Carter and Dee Durham in adding to the nascent progressive voting bloc needed to reform the corrupted land use policy in motion under the last three executive administrations over there at Reads Way.