What We’ve Accomplished, What We Need To Do
The primaries have come and gone. If anything, I don’t think people realize just how much things have changed as a result. There’s more to do, coming later in this piece, but here’s what has already happened:
Bethany Hall Long is toast. In a just world, she should and would be indicted for misuse of public funds. Case in point: Half a mill to Wilmington’s leading tax delinquents. Money down the drain? Matt Meyer may not be ‘all that’, but he’s replacing John Carney. Big plus.
Val Longhurst is toast. She was an arguably human roadblock against key legislation, including LEOBOR, and she helped to turn the House into a miserable place to work. Kamela Smith is a huge upgrade, plus, as Gene Mauch once said, “Sometimes you add by subtracting”.
Pete Schwartzkopf and Kathy McGuiness are toast. Excising these two from positions of authority would be a big plus even if Claire Snyder-Hall wasn’t likely to replace them. Big shout-out to Marty Rendon for immediately joining forces with Claire.
Mike Ramone has been replaced by–Frank Burns! We’ve just about got that super-majority now, meaning no more walkouts by Rethugs who argue that LLC’s are people.
Sean Matthews has been replaced by Melanie Ross Levin. Or, will be replaced once Levin dispatches gun-nut Brent Burdge in the general. No more of those seemingly-inexplicable votes by Matthews against safe gun bills and LEOBOR.
Kevin Caneco replaces Bill Bell on NCC Council. County Council is slowly, but inexorably, moving away from being a rubber stamp for developers.
Wilmington City Council has become more progressive. With the addition of Coby Owens and Christian Willauer. Which reminds me, does Trippi Congo’s tax delinquency render him ineligible to serve as Wilmington City Council President? Inquiring minds want to know.
Here’s what we need to do:
Make sure that Claire Snyder-Hall and Eric Morrison win their general elections. I want my Sussex Spies to keep close tabs on Pistol Pete during the general, and I want the House Democratic Caucus to provide the support to Eric that was deliberately lacking two years ago.
You say you want a super-majority in the House? Volunteer for the campaigns of Monica Beard (against the Real Mike Smith), Terrell Williams (against Kevin Hensley), and Tracey Miller (against Lyndon Yearick). Hockessin’s the closest to me, so that’s where I’m heading, but all three races should at least be competitive. And Miller has been everywhere!
Volunteer for Sen. Russ Huxtable, who is facing an R opponent with ties to the Caesar Rodney Institute.
Two names to watch post-Election Day: Mara Gorman and Josue Ortega. Gorman brings a strong resume of progressive leadership and is about as ideal a replacement for Paul Baumbach as one could find. As disappointed as I am in what happened to Branden Fletcher Dominguez, I am hopeful that Ortega will bring the same commitment to public service to Dover as his father, Demetrio Ortega, Jr., brought to Wilmington City Council.
What saieth thou?
Don’t sleep on Rony in the 36th! I was visit friends in Milford over the weekend, and there was a shocking number of signs in yards (not just placed in public places).
Milford is changing fast.
https://www.ronyfordelaware.com/
The 9th has changed this the last election with many transplants staffing up the vampiric but flourishing warehouse & distribution industry OR leaving PA, NY & NJ for low property tax paradise that is MOT.
Maybe that’s a wash in the end. The geriatrics who hate taxes & government (except social security & medicare) are probably Trump voters and who knows what the politics of Amazon Fulfillment workers are. That said, Terrell Williams is going to be the most competition Kevin Hensley has seen in years, but I’d still rate the 9th as a safe hold for the Rs.
One additional change is that WFP is backing Williams and providing resources to the campaign.
Is Stel Selby vulnerable? Is Nikki Miller a real threat or just a republican space filler?
Don’t know. Sussex Spies?
If she’s THIS Nikki Miller, yes, she’s formidable:
https://www.capegazette.com/article/cape-high-principal-nikki-miller-leaving-post/244994
Gotta say, though, Stell Parker Selby has not exactly been a dynamo in Dover.
Yes, it’s that Nikki Miller. And she’s been working hard:
https://www.facebook.com/nikkimillerforde/
Registration only nominally favors the D’s.
If the Rethugs are gonna pick up a D seat, it could well be this one.
Selby is very likely to lose and Huxtable is teetering. The latest Simpler has a shot, Pete and KMG are openly shilling for him and he is well known and articulate with cops and 2 influential fire companies lending support and I’m guessing decent amounts of cash. His 30 day report will be revealing.
Work still to be done!
Stell was not a “dynamo” when she was a teacher at Cape Henlopen. Not surprised by her performance in Dover. Back up in NCC you failed to mention Monique Johns and what she will add to the council. She and her grifter husband are most likely easy pickens for the Developers. Their “ministries” and non profits sure could use contributions
Not much we can do about it…now.
Gotta hope that Marcus Henry and some of the fiscal watchdogs on Council will keep a close eye on any possible shenanigans.