Delaware Political Weekly: Week Ending October 16, 2025
1. The Rae Krantz Campaign Goes LIVE! As in right here:
When I was disenchanted with my jobs after college, I taught myself the necessary skills to enable a career-change to software development. To make it easier for others to do the same, I then became an advocate for stronger apprenticeship programs in the industry and founded a non-profit to guide people starting software development careers. I’ve also shared my knowledge and experience as an international conference speaker.
I was raised in an evangelical, Republican community with an unchanging worldview. But once I left home, I began to question what I was taught about how our government should work. I continued to learn new ideas and meet new people, and I discovered the missing pieces in my old worldview and how fundamentally unjust our government systems actually are, particularly for minorities and people of color. These realizations were crystallized by the murder of Trayvon Martin. The failure to bring justice for Trayvon made me realize that I needed to play a role in building a better country. I committed to the issue locally, and began to volunteer for task forces aimed at delivering equitable justice.
I deeply desire to see our communities become stronger and more integrated, and believe that together we are powerful enough to improve our lives. I’ve been a foster parent and a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in Delaware’s foster care system. I co-founded Strong Towns Wilmington to empower city residents with a vision for how our city can be safer and more vibrant. I’ve spent many hours in Legislative Hall as a community advocate pushing our state government to do right by working people.
It was through those interactions with our state government that I grew disillusioned with the lack of transparency and accountability from our legislators. I watched our elected officials fail to protect Delawareans’ right to clean air and water, and fold when they had the chance to guarantee real police accountability and transparency. Those experiences left me disheartened but they also solidified for me the need for legislators who actually listen to constituents and create policy to respond to the needs of the people.
I highly recommend that you read her platform in detail. You can click on each item and find serious proposals from someone who seeks to serve. There may have been a time when Deb Heffernan was like this. That time has passed. Meaning, it’s time the baton was passed. The thought of Rae Krantz in Dover is exciting. Oh, forgot to mention, you will see a ‘Donate’ button on every page of her website. You know, should you be so inclined.
2. NCC Dems Set Filing Fees. At their meeting this week, the New Castle County Democratic Party set the filing fees for next year’s elections at 1% of the annual salary for the positions under the purview of the county party. The County Dems have sent the filing fee information to both the County and State Department of Elections. These are for the positions of County Council, County row-office, or State Rep/Senate within New Castle County. Candidates may also qualify for the ballot via signature petitions, which is what Branden Fletcher Dominguez did in 2024. This means that candidates may officially pay the fee and qualify for the ballot once the Department of Elections receives the information from the County.
3. Ballot-Qualified Candidates From Kent And Sussex. I’m guessing they already approved their filing fees? Anyway, here’s what we’ve got:
RD 20 (Sussex): Both incumbent Alonna Berry and challenger Ruby Keeler Schaeffer have filed as Democrats. (Only official primary so far.)
SD 14 (Kent): R Mark Pugh has filed. The incumbent is Kyra Hoffner. Figures to be a competitive race.
RD 14 (Sussex): D Rep. Claire Snyder Hall has filed for reelection.
RD 20 (Sussex): R Nikki Miller (again). Third time’s the charm?
RD 38 (Sussex): D Maureen Madden. The incumbent is R Ronald Gray
4. Rumblings Of Coons Opponent(s)? I’m hearing said rumblings. All I can say is, if you’re gonna run, you simply must make Coons’ inability/unwillingness to focus on the Fascist takeover of the government the centerpiece of your campaign. Don’t worry about early polls, daunting fundraising numbers, or anything else. Coons has been an enabler and, at best, a reluctant critic, of this unprecedented attempted takeover of the country. His version of ‘bipartisanship’ won’t and can’t fly any more. Take it on directly. If you’re not willing to do so, then don’t run. If you are, then welcome to the race!
That’s all I’ve got this week. What’d I miss, and whaddayathink?
The Sussex Democrats set their filing fee early this year. 1% is the maximum allowed by law, and that is always the amount set.
Thanks!
I have heard so far most approached about taking on Coons are turning it down. Most likely looking at how the 2020 race went down on top of the millions Coons has in the bank.
It only takes one, and there are at least a couple of people who are interested.
All the money that lobbyists throw at Coons won’t make a difference if the fact that he’s been a total wimp in the face of Trump takes hold.
Circumstances are much different than they were in 2020. To me, anyway, it’s clear that Coons is not up to the task of saving what’s worth saving of America.
Oh, and remember, Coons ran as a willing sacrificial lamb until Christine O’Donnell upset the equation. Nothing is set in stone a year out.
Nobody was going to succeed against him during the COVID election, when campaigning was close to impossible. If that’s what’s scaring them off, they’re too easily scared to do the job anyway.
With all due respect, blaming a loss of 50 (!) points on COVID doesn’t make sense to me. It is not a loss, it’s a route. Sometimes the candidates or the campaigns are of poor quality. I think if we can’t admit that, we are never going to win. There were upsets in 2020. There just wasn’t one here – in that particular race.
Senate primaries are notoriously difficult for challengers to win especially for democrats, so I think there is a handicap to be granted…. but 50 points… cmon. You could have run a possum for that race and probably received 20 points. The challenger received 27. I tend to agree with you Alby but on this one I just don’t see it. He didn’t even run an ad against her.
She was an unknown with no money. An unknown with no money who couldn’t campaign was doomed, and the margin of victory is moot. What, did you bet her and take the points?
But since you apparently care, the margin was 46, not 50. Moot, but still.
For comparison, the unknown who ran against Carney in that election got 11%.
You can’t vote for a guy/girl named “Rumblings”. Do we have a human of principle with some guts or do we not?
Point of clarity: filing fees are 1% of the salary of a full term of the office sought, not merely for 1 year.
Thanks! I did not know that.