Delaware’s Most Intriguing Primaries Of 2020: Part 1
I’m gonna do things a little differently this time around. I’m gonna start at the bottom of the statewide primary ballot and work my way to the top, stopping along the way whenever a race captures my fancy. OK, let’s scroll from the bottom (meaning Lower Slower as our appetizer):
Sussex County Council District 3 (R Primary): Mark Schaeffer vs. I. G. Burton: Schaeffer is the former Smyrna mayor who stole an election through illegal distribution of ballots, then got voted out the next time around. Those of you familiar with any county government in Delaware are well aware that corruption is no impediment to winning office (See: Gordon, Tom). In fact, it’s often an asset, especially to developers bearing envelopes. Burton edged Schaeffer in a 4-way primary in 2016 that also featured the Punkin’ Chunkin’ guy, Frank Shade. F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote that ‘there are no second acts in American lives’. That quote, um, hasn’t worn well. Seems like there’s nothing but second (and third) acts in politics. Fitzgerald never met, for example, the Potters. Or Joe Biden. Besides, who is to say that this is a battle between good and evil? In Sussex County? Not likely.
Sussex County Council District 2 (R Primary): Lisa Hudson Briggs Vs. Cynthia Green vs. Robert Wilson. I’ve included this only because I’m trying to understand how a family w/o two brain cells to rub together have had two members hold office for so long. Robert Wilson is the heir-apparent to his father on Council, and the grey matter on Council would not increase appreciably with his election. The other two candidates have legit credentials. We’ll see if voters care.
Next Stop: Wilmington.
Council District 8 (D Primary): Sean Barney vs. Nathan Field. Has Sean Barney finally found a race he can win? If he does, will he emerge as a progressive stalwart, as someone who used to blog here claimed despite all evidence to the contrary, or will he remain a Third Way True Believer?
Council District 7 (D Primary): Chris Johnson vs. Devon Hynson. Chris was DL’s endorsed candidate for AG in 2018, and Al has written admiringly of Devon Hynson in the past. Two good candidates? Is it even possible in Wilmington?
Council District 3 (D Primary): Davon Hall vs. Zanthia Oliver. A last-minute challenge to Oliver, who owes her office to her last name. I’ve said it before (about the Potters), but if the Oliver clan has a family crest, a greased palm will be prominently featured. I kinda like this Davon Hall.
Council District 1 (D Primary): Linda Gray vs. Albert Mills vs. Coby Owens vs. Karen ‘Butter’ Flowers. Let’s see–you’ve got the unelected incumbent, you’ve got Nnamdi’s brother, you’ve got a candidate who has courted the progressive vote, and you’ve got someone whose nickname is Butter. I don’t know who’s gonna win this one.
We’re just warming up, consider this an amuse bouche, more of the sumptuous feast to arrive shortly.
I’ve been reading DL for a few years now and I’m tired of you continually bashing Sussex County and the people who live here. I lived in NCC for almost 40 years; I didn’t lose my intelligence or ability to think when I moved to Sussex in 2003, nor did any of the people I know who moved here, nor did lots of others who have lived here for generations. The only reason I bother still reading DL is because It’s a good way for me to find out about things going on politically that I might not hear about otherwise. Your constant belittling of people in Sussex is really tiresome.
I like to think we’re equal opportunity bashers. But Sussex County has brought us Jeff Christopher, The Law-Abidin’ John Atkins, Vance Phillips, the Right Reverend Dukes, Bodey, and the entire Wilson clan, among others. And the voters have elected them.
They’re also the proud bumpkins who support Trump with nary a critical thought.
That’s what I call a target-rich environment for ridicule. Stupid as as stupid votes.
BTW, in Sussex County, how is a hurricane just like a divorce?
Give up?
Either way, someone’s losin’ a trailer.
A guy from Sussex County told me that one.
I didn’t lose my intelligence or ability to think when I moved to Sussex in 2003, nor did any of the people I know who moved here
No, but you lost your ability to influence elections because you now live in a majority-conservative/Republican area where the top Democrat is a former state police official. Your intelligence has not rubbed off on a majority of voters in your county — not by a long shot.
In other words, he’s not talking about you. He’s talking about the politicians and your neighbors who elect them.
I, and lots of other very active and involved Democrats, are working hard to change that. I’m active in my RD and at the county level, but it’s a long, slow process when the numbers are against you.
And we appreciate your willingness to put in the work even though you won’t live long enough to see the rewards. Best of luck to you.