Delaware Political Weekly: Feb. 23-29, 2024
1. Colleen Davis Drops Out Of D Congressional Primary. Her candidacy never really took off due to health issues. Here’s hoping she has a long and healthy life.
2. Sean Matthews Gets A Primary Opponent in RD 10! Good. Her name is Melanie Ross Levin. Whoa! She has serious credentials. So serious that I wonder if the word is out that Matthews isn’t running again. Director of the Delaware Office Of Women’s Advocacy And Advancement since 2017. Director of Engagement And Mobilization For the National Women’s Law Center since 2007. And a lot more. No, I don’t know whether she’ll support a more progressive leadership team in the House. But she’s a strong advocate for paid family leave and affordable child care. And Matthews has pretty much gotten to the point where he retired, but just didn’t tell anybody. I fully expect her to be a huge upgrade on gun issues, where Matthews has been out of touch with his district. Gotta say, this is a real pleasant surprise. Now, if only candidates would step forward to challenge Stephanie Bolden and Franklin Cooke, we’d pretty much have a full slate of great challengers.
3. Monique Johns Files Yet Again. This time for NCC Council President. Again. Looks like at least a 5-way D primary for that office. I wonder, like I have with so many candidates who have preceded her, just what is the pathology that compels people to run and lose over and over again. Any insight from the psych majors out there?
4. Filings: D Rep. Kerri Evelyn Harris (RD 32); NCC Clerk Of The Peace Lisa Darrah. You will recall that, despite Darrah’s predecessor trying to grease the wheels for Darrah, Aja Ajuvon almost beat her. Got 49.25% of the vote. I had not met Aja Ajuvon back then. But, this past year, Aja was in the Claymont Christmas Parade marching with Marcus Henry. She was a dynamo. Funny, energetic, a true people person. Since the main job of the Clerk Of The Peace is to preside over weddings, I can tell you that she is the type of person who would make the ceremonies memorable and joyful occasions. I hope she runs again. Marcus, are you reading this?
That’s all I’ve got this week. What’d I miss, and whaddayathink?
FYI the other Michael Smith* was outside Dickinson HS as polls closed in the rain for the referendum vote, meeting and and greeting voters. According to poll workers, he had been there ALL DAY since the polls opened.
* the guy who is running in the 21st Dem primary against Frank Burns.
Monique Johns may be less qualified for the council presidency than the incumbent of the position and that’s impressive.
How many times has she lost “since” she trashed Hensley’s lit:)?
We know how many times she’s won.