The year was 2018. Incumbent State Rep. Trey Paradee ran for the 17th State Senate seat and won. The D primary to succeed Trey in his Kent Counry 29th RD was won by–wait–there was no D primary for the 29th RD. Making the successor-designee one Bill Bush, who was pushed by the worst of the worst in the Democratic Party, including the Del-Tech minions led by “Doctor” Mark Brainard. Bush, you see, was the guy on the Del-Tech board who, along with Lonnie George’s best friend, deep-sixed the Board-chosen successor to Lonnie and then installed Brainard, a long-time political aparatchik when he wasn’t working for the Chamber, as Del-Tech President. Bush had also served as a House attorney under Pete ‘n Val.
In other words, Bush’s candidacy grew out of the old Delaware Way method of choosing candidates, not the Delaware grassroots political movement that was in its infancy in 2018. He was, like Brainard, installed in this office by Delaware Way higher-ups. And immediately pushed into influential positions in the House by Pete ‘n Val. Committee chairmanships with membership skewed against any progressive initiatives.
He faced no primary challengers in 2020 or 2022. His R opponents got about 45% in 2020 and 41% in 2022 as the district skewed more D following redistricting. The current registration is 9694 D; 5348 R; and 5335 I, a far cry from where it was when Trey Paradee first defeated Lincoln Willis. It’s no longer a swing district. Here is the map. The district heads south from Clayton to the western Dover suburbs.
Enter Monica Shockley-Porter, who filed her campaign committee in late July. She will primary Bush in RD 29, and she’s the perfect grassroots candidate to challenge someone who will have to be propped up by whatever remaining Delaware Way types are still ambulatory. Shockley-Porter…:
…is a public relations specialist for the Capital School District and a doctoral student at Liberty University. A native of Harrisburg, Pa., Shockley-Porter moved to Kent County in January 2019. Since her family’s relocation to Delaware, Monica has become an active member of Network Delaware, Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League, Fund for Women at Delaware Community Foundation and National Coalition of 100 Black Women (DE Chapter).
She’s also active in the Local Journalism Initiative:
“Local news is critical for elevating the voices and sharing the stories of diverse people throughout our state,” Shockley-Porter said. “By lifting these voices and stories, we build empathy among neighbors, connect people with resources and strengthen our social fabric.”
Combined with her passion for Delaware, Shockley-Porter’s expertise in community engagement and communications will help LJI build sustainable models that serve an array of communities that have been traditionally undercovered and underserved by local news and information systems, LJI President Allison Taylor Levine said.
Sounds like just the kind of coalition builder who can succeed in Dover. I’ve met her and have had the opportunity to listen to her initial candidate presentation. All I can say is, she’s the real deal. If you live in Kent County, or just like to visit, volunteer and you too will become a believer. I’ll link to her website as soon as it’s up and running. Word is she’ll be up and running soon.
And, by sheer coincidence while putting this piece together , I stumbled upon someone who looks poised to challenge Ol’ Lumpy Carson. I don’t think I should break this until the candidate files or gives a thumbs-up, but I’ll just share this little tidbit: It looks like they’re a supporter of Eugene Young (!). That makes at least two unannounced progressive challengers I’m still sworn to secrecy on. There’s room for more.