Delaware Political Weekly: April 26-May 2, 2024

1.  Don’t Sleep On RD 9.  I haven’t focused on this NCC district that is all south of the canal.  But the Working Families Party’s endorsement of Terrell Williams has opened my eyes.  Why, you ask, should the result this year be any different than it was in 2022, when Rethug Kevin Hensley won by a 55-45 margin, which pretty much matched the 55-45 margin in 2020, when Hensley defeated Debbie Harrington?  Well, let’s first stipulate that there are no guarantees that the result will be different.  But there are at least three compelling reasons why this could well be the year.  Before I address them, let’s first acknowledge that Williams starts with the 45% floor he reached in 2022.  Here are three reasons why he can win in 2024:

a.  The numbers in the RD continue to trend more D all the time.  The current figures are 10,067 D; 5864 R;  and 5890 I.  In 2022, the numbers were 9720 D; 5827 R;  and 5131 I.  Yes, a huge jump in I’s.  But we’ve got over 300 more D’s that have been added and 37 more R’s.  That’s a trend and every little bit helps.

b.  As the R’s in Dover become more radical in their stands, it’s much easier for D challengers, particularly in New Castle County, to use those radical positions against them.  Williams just did it, castigating Hensley for siding with hospital administrators against rising healthcare costs.

c.  The WFP Endorsement.  This is big big.  As in cause/effect big big.  The cause was that Terrell Williams is doing the work needed to earn the endorsement–meeting voters, raising money, building a campaign organization. The effect is that Williams will now have the grassroots efforts of the Delaware WFP behind him, and that’s huge.  His campaign goes from being a mom-and-pop organization to a legit boots-on-the-ground battle.  Contributions welcome.

In other words, we are now facing the very real possibility  that there may be no Rethug legislators from New Castle County in Dover.   I for one look forward to meeting the endorsed candidates at the WFP event this Saturday.

2. John Carney.  OK, he officially announced his candidacy for Mayor of Wilmington and filed for the ballot.  I think it’s time we take a look at Carney’s entire elective career:

Elected Lt. Governor in 2000.  Served from 2001 to 2009.  Carney didn’t really run for Lt. Governor.  He was forced on Ruth Ann Minner by Tom Carper.  Carper was governor and Ruth Ann was Lt. Gov. at the time.  The two couldn’t stand each other.  Carney had been Carper’s green eyeshade guy, serving as Secretary of Finance and Deputy Chief of Staff for Carper.  Everybody in Dover was shocked when Minner ‘selected’ Carney, who had never exhibited any interest in running for public office.  I mean, he was well-liked, but it was an out-of-the-blue pick.

Sought, but lost, D nomination for Governor in 2008.  The State Democratic Party endorsed him and did everything they could to put their fingers on the scale.  But when you stand for nothing, and run a Campaign About Nothing, you can lose even with all the advantages.   Which Carney did, being edged out by Jack Markell.

Elected US Representative in 2010.  After taking a year off to dabble in offshore wind, Carney was elected to the first of his three terms in Congress, defeating Glen Urquhart in 2010. Tom Kovach in 2012, and Rose Izzo in 2014.

Waiting For Beau.  The insiders knew that Beau Biden was seriously ill and would not be able to run for Governor in 2016.  Carney used that to his advantage, first saying that he would defer to his dear friend Beau, then, once the inevitable happened, said he would defer campaigning out of respect to his dear friend Beau.  Which begat the 2016 Campaign About Nothing.  Followed by a Carney Administration About Nothing.  For eight years.

Which brings me to my point:  John Carney has been a political presence in Delaware for 24 years.  Yes, for that long.  Can anybody, ANYbody, cite a single accomplishment of note that he has achieved.  When you think of John Carney, what comes to mind?  For me it’s the Concord Coalition (Paul Tsongas in swim trunks, anybody?) and budget-smoothing.   Budget-smoothing being an idea he appropriated from one-term Rethug State Treasurer Ken Simpler.

He now wants to bring that singular lack of accomplishment and, let’s be honest, lack of curiosity, to Wilmington. Backwards reels the mind.

3. D Rep. Stell Parker Selby Gets A D Challenger In RD 20.  She deserves one.  Let’s just see what this Brian P. Jenkins is all about…OK, I found nothing.  That’s where you, my Suxco Spies, can help me out.  So–help me out!

4.  Filings.  D Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro;  Dennis E. Williams (D-for RD 10); Incumbent D City Council At-Large Tish Bracy (filled out the term of Loretta Walsh); Gregg Lindner (D for RD 4); D Wilmington City Councilperson Bregatta Fields; D Kent County Levy Court Commissioner Alan Angel (District 3).

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