Delaware Political Weekly: Feb. 11-17, 2022

Filed in Delaware, Featured by on February 18, 2022

1.  It’s Progress Vs. Delaware Way In RD 32. I should have known that the Chamber Of Commerce wasn’t gonna give up this seat w/o a fight.  Andria Bennett has been one of the Chamber’s most dependable allies in Dover, going so far as to quote Chamber talking points on the floor.  Her (eventual) retirement paved the way for Kerri Evelyn Harris to seek the seat.  Another ‘D’ has joined the fray, and he’s right out of Chamber central casting.  Philip McGinnis is a commercial realtor who has railed against Biden moves to eliminate a lucrative tax break for commercial developers:

As every state in the nation – Delaware especially – begins to creep toward economic rebound, commercial real estate must again play an essential role in our recovery. But the Biden plan to eliminate the deferral of taxes on property gains over $500,000 from like-kind exchanges, granted under Internal Revenue Code Section 1031, will cripple commercial redevelopment at a time when our communities need that investment more than ever.

In other words, you already know whose side he’ll be on if he makes it to Dover.  McGinnis is the managing broker of McGinnis Commercial Real Estate Company and former chair of the Delaware Council on Real Estate Appraisers.  Does he sound like a real Democrat to you? Me neither.  Which reminds me, wanna contribute to Kerri?  You can do it right here.

2. R Files For Kowalko’s Seat.  I suppose that, with the right challenger, an R might have an outside shot.  Lynn Frances Mey is not that challenger.  She is a Board member of Delaware Right To Life.  In other words, not exactly the ideal profile for someone running in the Newark area. She is a Global Supply Manager with DuPont.

3.  Martin Willis Files For Bentz Seat.  He had previously announced once David Bentz had said he would retire at the end of this term.  He is a union boilermaker who has pushed for racial equity in the construction trades.

4. Kelly Williams Maresca Files Against Madinah. R-turned-D.  Sore loser John Viola maxed out to her. She calls herself a ‘social entepreneur’, and has a high opinion of herself:

I would love to leverage my 15 years of unmatched experience and extraordinary success in business, social entrepreneurship, and government service to produce tangible results to benefit constituents while prioritizing “First State 1st”.

According to her:

I am regarded as a resourceful community leader and a catalyst for social change.

Sounds like she’d fit right in with the Self-Adoration Caucus.

Wanna be a catalyst for helping Madinah?  You can do so right here.

5. Filings.  Rep. Debra Heffernan (D-6th RD); she will be facing progressive Becca Cotto in a primary.  Rep. John ‘Larry’ Mitchell (D-RD 13); as a member of leadership, a member of the Kop Kabal, and as one of the most vulnerable D incumbents, he absolutely must face a primary challenger.  Incumbent D NCC Sheriff Scott Phillips.  Incumbent D Recorder Of Deeds Mike Kozikowski. Libertarian William McVay For Kent County Sheriff.  Isn’t ‘libertarian sheriff’ the very definition of a do-nothing public official?

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

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  1. Peter Zeftel says:

    your donation link for Kerri Evelyn Harris doesn’t work. Try instead: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/friends-of-kerri-evelyn-harris
    She deserves our help and support.

  2. I can’t make this up. The News-Journal ran a Letter To The Editor TODAY endorsing Dr. Bohm in RD 4. My spy tells me that the editor is up in New Jersey and likely had (has) no clue:

    https://www.delawareonline.com/story/opinion/2022/02/18/letter-adriana-bohm-represent-rd-4-well/6837620001/

    • AA says:

      I woke up quite early and that letter was the first thing I read, I was trying to figure out if it was just my mind failing me lol

    • RE Vanella says:

      Someone pointed this out to me earlier. So embarrassing. I did a big belly laugh.

      Perfect framing in the 32… couldn’t be a more blatant choice. If you make money speculating on commercial real estate, like, say, Donald Trump or Rob Buccini, you have your candidate. If you are a regular person you have Kerri.

      Did you see an Aussie firm owns Amazon Boxwood now. Third property owner I think. Just sucking that value out on the backs of warehouse workers and forklift operators. And we paid for the privilege!

  3. DEEE says:

    I never understood why libertarians run for office if they don’t believe in government?

  4. AA says:

    Also want to point out that it seems Kent County Recorder of Deeds Betty Lou McKenna is going to retire in 2022, as another D has filed for the seat. A notable name in Kent County.

  5. Alby says:

    “Commercial redevelopment” = “ripping off the tax system so citizens pay lots more than corporate entities”

    Where are the sans-culottes when you need them?