Delaware Political Weekly: March 8-14, 2024
1. Collin O’Mara Files For Governor. I think he’s got a legit shot. Let’s face it: The partisans supporting BHL and Matt Meyer who post here have focused on the weaknesses (or worse) of the other candidate. That’s because both candidates have weaknesses, potential legal problems and/or antagonistic constituencies that make them vulnerable. O’Mara enters with his Kennedyesque boyish looks, largely unencumbered of the responsibilities of having been in the public eye for the last eight years.
‘Spoilers’ don’t self-fund to the extent that O’Mara is self-funding. Regardless of what conspiracy theorists are trying to sell us, he’s running to win.
He has a lot of ground to make up, especially in terms of name recognition. He has a lot to answer for–particularly his involvement in the twin Bloom and Fisker fiascos. Assuming, of course, that his opponents raise those issues. He needs to make a case for his election which, come to think of it, is not unlike what both BHL and Matt still need to do. BTW, you just gotta love this takeaway from Cris Barrish’s article:
Hall-Long, a two-term lieutenant governor who was elected in 2017 after spending 15 years in the state House and Senate, did not agree to an interview.
Instead, the University of Delaware nursing professor who lives in a Middletown-area golf course community issued a statement that targeted the affluence of her opponents.
Hall-Long has refused extended interviews about her candidacy, and has not spoken at all with WHYY News since her fledgling campaign was thrown into disarray within days of her September launch.
O’Mara does have a strong record of public service to run on. And, yes, those Kennedyesque boyish looks. Neither of his opponents have come close to putting this away. Those who dismiss his chances do so at their own risk.
Gonna be a fascinating three-way race. At least, that’s how I see it.
2. Great Candidate, Less-Than-Optimal District. 41st RD Rep. Richard Collins is arguably Delaware’s worst legislator. He now has a great challenger in Tom Brett. I love his bio and love his priorities. He has been a strong advocate for clean energy and has campaigned against the Rethugs’ whack-a-doo opposition to electric vehicles. Check out his letters to the editor–they’re really cool. BTW, show him some love and click the Donate button. The district, though, sucks. Was made more R during redistricting, which is understandable as it helped create more competitive districts in eastern Suxco. Registration is 6652 D; 8979 R; and 5459 I. Not. Good. Nevertheless, we need to encourage candidates like Tom Brett. You can start by clicking that Donate button.
3. Sarah McBride Files For Congress. Making official what everybody already knows. I’m liking the thought of her in Congress more and more.
4. Yet Another Wilmington At-Large Candidate. I’m setting the over/under at 10 when it comes to at-large candidates for Wilmington City Council. The latest? Waynna Dobson, who goes to great lengths to remind everyone that she’s a realtor. Don’t believe me? Just type in her name. She also co-hosts The Congo Hour from time to time. She is also, and I quote, ‘…sincere in helping spread insight from her life’s experiences as well as other individuals who dedicate their lives not to give up, cave in, or quit.”
5. Sleazy Suxco Councilman Gets D Challenger. Said sleazy councilman/former sleazy Smyrna mayor Mark Schaeffer is the incumbent. Dana Paskins has filed to seek his Suxco 3rd Council seat. 30-year Air Force veteran. Lots of volunteer activity. I don’t know the composition of the 3rd Council District, but I betcha that our Sussex Spies do. It could well be a competitive race, and could be more competitive if you click on the Donate button right here.
5. Filings: D State Rep. DeShanna Neal (RD 13); D Kevin Caneco, Candidate, NCC Council District 12; D Wilmington City Council Member At-Large Michelle Harlee.
That’s all I’ve got this week (that’s not enough?). What’d I miss, and whaddayathink?
“…issued a statement that targeted the affluence of her opponents.”
Bigger tell than she realizes, even without Barrish’s sly aside. It smacks of envy, and says to me “I’m in this for the money.”
Let’s face it, she’s not in it to enact her ideas, because she doesn’t have any. I hope voters have learned from Carney that when someone enters the office without any ideas, unelected forces will impose them.
Agree with Alby. More than that… didn’t she say she loaned her campaign 300k or so? And – so kindly of her – forgave those loans to herself? I thought that was what REALLY happened according to her and not that she and her husband stole campaign money and used it for their own purposes? Did she forget these “loans”? Yes 800k is more than 300k but 300k is still a LOT of money and I wouldn’t say that someone who could float that for a political campaign isn’t affluent.
The trouble with lies is that it’s tough to always remember them.
I LOVED Barrish’s phrasing. She makes it sound like she’s barely scraping by in a trailer park somewhere–instead of living in a country club community.
Omara seems to really have an issue based stump unlike hall long who is like “im ltg, you gotta make me governor” talk.
Meyer’s problem will be his likeability and the amazing amount of people he pissed off as county executive. Developers may fund him but that comes with a political cost.
No idea who wins that race…..no one does
The number of people he pissed off is probably smaller than you think, if only because most people have no idea who he is. Most people pay no attention whatsoever to NCCo Council.
OTOH, those he’s pissed off are all sure to vote, and for someone else.
I agree there’s no way to predict that race before anyone has even started advertising. It will be interesting to see what the mix of positive/negative ads is. A three-way field complicates negative advertising, because it’s hard to go after two opponents at once. Whoever draws the most fire will be the one somebody’s internal polls show is the frontrunner, or the frontrunner’s biggest threat.
An unknown underfunded closet republican basically got 44 percent in the 2020 primary against him. Not a good sign of popularity among Dems if you ask me.
She was linked to the Fraternal Order of Police. County cops are among the most fervent Meyer-haters out there, so you can probably count most of her 33,000 votes in the BHL column this time. I can’t see them going for a progressive O’Mara.
Not underfunded if you count all the money that the trades spent and wasted on her. The same people that are promising to do the same for BHL.
Giving money to underfunded losing candidates seems to be their speciality.
And what did BHL achieve in her primary? Lower than 40 percent my friend.
Matt is County Executive, not on County Council.
But your point is taken. People should care as County governance affects people far more than what happens in Dover or D.C.
If they cared they never would have elected Karen Hartley-Nagle, who has no credentials at all for holding a government position. I’d call her an idiot but that would be unkind to all the other idiots who didn’t enter government because they were pissed off at their ex-husband.
I said SHOULD care, not that they do care.
I know. Supporting, not rebutting.
Besides Omaras fiasco during his time at dnrec what else has he done?
Geez, do I have to do everybody’s research for them?:
He’s been the head of the National Wildlife Federation since something like 2014. Meaning, he’s got a pretty robust list of potential donors.
Right. That’s a fundraising position that doesn’t really tell you much about his governance ability except to give money FOREVER to private corporations
Well, feel free to conduct some research on your own, and then report back.
I did, which is why i put it out to this group. I see nothing of him that isnt a chamber of commerce groupie. And bloom and fisker will always stick in my craw and he was secretary under the second worst governor. nothing says ringing endorsement
The National Wildlife Federation isn’t a Chamber of Commerce groupie. This is what I found with a brief search:
“From the gentle giant manatees on the Atlantic coast to the playful sea otters of the Pacific, and to the bison roaming the plains, America is home to a stunning array of wildlife. But these and other wildlife species-at-risk face increasing threats from habitat loss and the effects of climate change. That’s where we come in.
The National Wildlife Federation works tirelessly to protect and restore wildlife habitats across public lands, working lands, waterways, coasts, and communities. We advocate to transform wildlife conservation and connect Americans with wildlife, inspiring the next generation and mobilizing diverse activists.”
Or, perhaps that’s propaganda. Share whatever info you have to prove you’re right. I’m getting mighty tired of trolling. Don’t find yourself on the wrong side of the Troll Border Fence. That e-barbed wire can be painful.
I’m not trolling. I’m voicing concern for a guy who had a quick stint with dnrec and that is the extent of his time in government and it wasnt littered with greatness that benefitted the state.
Sussex County Council District 3 is, thanks to reapportionment, a Democratic plurality district. The district lines are nearly identical to the 6th Senate District seat won by Democrat Russ Huxtable in 2022. Dana Paskins can win this seat and become the only Democrat, and first African-American on the county council. Schaeffer is running hard and is presenting himself as “concerned” about over development, even though a mailing went out praising him for his service. That mailing came from a PAC totally funded by large developers.
Som, you did say “O’Mara does have a strong record of public service to run on” in the post.
I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask what that record is. Especially since he seemed to disappear from Delaware public life after his run at DNREC
Probably shouldn’t have said ‘public service’.
But I consider the National Wildlife Federation to be a legit organization that makes a genuine contribution, not a Chamber of Commerce crony.
Hey, I’m not even supporting him. I just don’t like knee-jerk attempts to discredit him. And he STILL has to explain away Bloom and Fisker…
It comes back to this supposed progressive track record. A lot of people care about ducks and deer, but what about the folks camped out on front street? How does his platform meet or exceed Meyer, and can he back it up? I don’t see these question as knee-jerk dismissiveness
His job at the wildlife federation, while admirable, is still a nearly half million a year and it’s a fundraising position. He’s not sitting at the tables of ma and pa asking for $50. Look at the “special advisors”. All wall streeters. Not exactly the most liberal or benevolent of the lot
Your review of the 41 RD candidate, Tom Brett, is so accurate. I hope that the voters of the 41st choose to elect Tom so that we can finally be represented by a person with integrity, leadership and a clear vision. Brettfordelaware.com
I notice a couple of comments in the trash bin that deserve to be posted.
However, I can’t unilaterally post them unless whoever wrote them lets us know that they didn’t want them to be trashed.
So drop a note on the tip line if you think your comment was trashed in error.
There was an especially germane comment about that Sussex County District 3 race. I’d like to post it, but won’t go against the wishes of the person who wrote the comment.