Speaker Pete ‘Unavailable For Comment’ Watch: Day 5
Let’s wrap up Day 4, courtesy of the Delaware State News:
While Senate leadership agreed on the next course of action, the same could not be said for those in the House.
In a joint statement, only House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst, D-Bear, and House Majority Whip Larry Mitchell, D-Elsmere, demanded the auditor step down and resign from the office immediately, stating that the governor should use his constitutional authority to remove Ms. McGuiness should she opt not to resign.
Notably absent from the statement was Ms. McGuiness’ longtime associate and Speaker of the House Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach. Ms. McGuiness, who formerly served as a Rehoboth Beach commissioner, has been a staunch supporter of Rep. Schwartzkopf on the campaign trail, and during her campaign for state auditor in 2018, he gave Ms. McGuiness a glaring endorsement. (A ‘glaring’ endorsement? But, I digress…)
Rep. Schwartzkopf was not available for comment on Monday.
(In my mind’s eye, I picture Speaker Pete and Ernie Lopez in a sparsely-furnished bachelor pad, throwing back whiskey and fighting back tears, while watching some grainy VHS footage of the exploits that have sent them both into exile. A half-empty bottle of a testosterone enhancer sits on the counter.)
Perhaps Speaker Pete will resurface on Day 5. We will be watching.
I suspect Pete hasn’t been able to have an in-person meeting with KmG yet over the holiday weekend to get their story straight and formulate a plan, not wanting to discuss criminal and/or unethical plans over the phone. Or even to have a phone record of calls between them.
I think he’s a-scared of her.
Typical bully-to-coward transition.
” suspect Pete hasn’t been able to have an in-person meeting with KmG yet over the holiday weekend”
Nah. They had plenty of opportunities to steal away for a meeting between hors d’oeuvres. It isn’t like a corps of paparazzi are tracking them.
Pete is probably just letting this fade from the voters awareness.
What people misunderestimate is that Longhurst is a shark. If she senses weakness in Pete’s status as Speaker, she will try to ensure that there’s more blood in the water.
Other legislators, besides Silent Pete Schwartzkopf, call for McGuiness’ resignation:
https://baytobaynews.com/stories/what-delaware-legislators-are-saying-about-mcguiness,83098
So does Democratic State Chair Betsy Maron.
Pete will be speaking at a 14th RD event in Rehoboth later this month. Maybe he can comment then.