Delaware Political Weekly: May 29-June 4, 2020

1.  The Most Important State Legislative Primary This Year. Marie Pinkney has filed to challenge President Pro-Tempore David B. McBride in the 13th Senatorial District.  She has a great chance to win.  She is a progressive, she is a grassroots organizer, and, if she defeats McBride, it will mark a sea change in the Senate Democratic Caucus, one where progressives are ascendant.  And here’s the good news:  While demographics aren’t necessarily destiny,  the demographics favor Pinkney.  If you look at the composition of the 13th Senatorial District, here’s what you will see: A total registration of 30,889 voters, with a breakdown as follows: 19,171 D’s; 4,871 R’s; and 6847 I’s.  The winner of the Senate primary will be the next senator from the 13th SD.  Let’s now look at the registration broken down by RD’s and ED’s that comprise the 13th:

14,969 from RD 5.  Represented by Kendra Johnson, an African-American.

2551 from RD 15.  Represented by Val Longhurst, not an African-American.

1064 from RD 16.  Represented by Franklin Cooke, an African-American.

5219 from RD 17.  Represented by Melissa Minor-Brown, an African-American.

7086 from RD 18.  Represented by David Bentz, not an African-American, but one of the most progressive legislators in Delaware.

If you do the math, over 21,000 of the registered 30,889 voters in SD 13 are represented by minorities.

Now factor in Dave McBride’s increased absence from the district, his age, his disinterest in supporting progressive initiatives,  and contrast that with Pinkney’s grassroots involvement, and you have a formula that Melissa Minor-Brown successfully used to convince Mike Mulrooney that he was better off retiring rather than facing her in a primary.

Plus, Marie is an extraordinary candidate.  I’m telling you, not only does she have a chance to win, assuming she gets enough financial support and assuming that she continues to grow her grassroots organization, I think she will win.  Get involved!

2.  Primary Challenge To Sen. Bruce Ennis Official.  Kyra Hoffner, who is best-known as an advocate for marijuana legalization, has filed for the SD 14 seat.  She may not be the last D to file for this seat.  Plus, I think it’s less than certain that Ennis will ultimately stay on the ballot. I’ve always liked Bruce, but he’s been in the General Assembly since being elected in 1982, after a career in law enforcement.  The R’s have a primary as well, and it’s possible, although not likely, that this seat could swing R in 2020.

3. Larry Lambert Files In RD 7.  He will challenge incumbent Rep. Ray Seigfried, who won a 5-way D primary, with 28.71% of the vote.  Lambert finished second, with 25.45% of the vote.  Lambert, along with Madinah Anton-Wilson and Marie Pinkney, blew me away at that WFP/Leftward Delaware event in February.  Seigfried’s done a solid job, but Lambert is just outstanding.  Check him out here. 

4. Nicole Poore Files For Reelection.  It is more than disappointing that the most notorious self-dealing D in Dover will likely not face a primary challenge.  When you leverage your elected position to get a six-figure job with a useless organization like Jobs For Delaware Graduates, you should be thrown out on your ear. I know that progressives tried, but couldn’t get anybody to run.  Maybe in 2022, when all 21 senate seats are up…

5. Donyale Hall Files As R Candidate For Lt. Governor. She got less than a third of the vote in an R primary for the 17th SD in 2018.  She was better known for having her signs (allegedly) vandalized.

I know that yet another Republican announced for governor. A downstate lawyer.  As far as I can tell, every vestige of her announcement has been removed from the internets.  Can someone share her name with me and us?

That’s all I’ve got this week. What’d I miss, and whaddayathink?