“We are kings of our bikes. So, we are again really lucky to live in Rehoboth, when we park a car, we have to get back into the car. We can hop on our bikes and our ritual is that we are always biking from our home to L(ewe)s. We do a little bit of walking around, a little bit of margarita, a little bit of good food – there’s amazing food then bike right back. So the ritual, on our bikes, every chance we can, any place we can go, and eliminate the cars.”–Dan Cruce.
1. An idyllic lifestyle. As chronicled here. Thing is, the person waxing rhapsodic about this lifestyle purports to live in Wilmington, and represents Wilmington and parts of northern NCC as a State Senator. Hence, this quote will lead off the Delaware Political Weekly every week until Dan Cruce either drops out of the race for reelection, or is transparent with his constituents about where he lives. Feel free to share this, especially with folks who might want a local elected official to live, you know, locally.
2. This Rob Bahnsen Looks Like The Real Deal. Might I also add that I just love most of the websites for our insurgent candidates. Rob’s ranks with the best of ’em:
As a physician, Dr. Rob provides psychiatric care to our most vulnerable neighbors. But the tools he has as a doctor are no longer enough to lift people in our community up.
For too long, Delaware has been the First State for corporations, but 37th for education and 44th for employment. Dr. Rob is running to change that—to demand a new, equitable, transparent Delaware Way of doing things.
These days, the same communities that lifted me up when I was young are the ones that suffer the most. As a psychiatrist, I work on the frontlines in Delaware’s largest emergency rooms, intensive care units, and hospital wards to provide care to our most vulnerable neighbors. I hear their stories of hardship and how they just can’t get ahead. I feel their despair when those in power dismiss them, telling them the answer is to work harder for less. I see firsthand how these problems lead to anxiety, depression, addiction, and suicide.
The system isn’t working, and it affects all of us.
When I became a doctor, I swore an oath to keep my patients healthy. I can no longer fulfill that oath until we heal our community. This is why I’m running to be your State Representative – to improve access to quality healthcare, demand excellence in education, and diversify an economy too dependent on powerful interests that don’t care about us. To fight for what people need, so our community can grow strong.
He even uses the word ‘progressive’ on the website.
The incumbent in this RD 12 race is Krista Griffith, who led the fight on behalf of Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerburg for the passage of SB 21. Along the way, she categorized amendments that would have made the bill better as ‘unfriendly’ and, with the help of Speaker Mimi Minor-Brown, defeated them.
I met Rob during a canvassing session for Shay Frisby, and was totally impressed.
More than anything, I think Rob will need boots on the ground. I know that Shay and Rob will likely do a joint canvass in the two ED’s they have in common. I plan to be there.
3. Controversy W/Suxco Dems? The answer is yes, don’t know the particulars. Here’s what State Chair Evelyn Brady wrote:
Dear State Executive Committee Members,
I am writing to brief you on an important matter that I anticipate will be receiving attention in the press.
This matter concerns Sussex County Chair, Jeff Balk. Jeff was elected to his role as Chair of the Sussex County Democratic Committee (SCDC) before I was elected to my role as State Chair. It was recently brought to my attention that Jeff has a criminal history for which he was registered as a sex offender. I was not previously aware of these matters. Upon learning of his criminal history, I quickly took steps to understand the underlying facts from available records. Once I learned those facts, I made the judgment, in my role as State Chair, to ask Jeff to resign from his elected role. I made this judgment based on my assessment that his continued service as Chair is not in the best interests of the SCDC or the Delaware Democratic Party, or our mission of securing the election of leaders who support the Party’s ethics and platform and will best serve the people of Delaware.
On October 10, 2025, I met with Jeff to request his resignation, and shortly thereafter, he communicated to me that he did not intend to resign. A few days later, a group of SCDC officials sent me a letter reflecting their disagreement with my request and their continued support of Jeff as Chair. The letter also asked me to withdraw my request. It continues to be my judgment that Jeff should resign, and therefore I have not withdrawn my request. Throughout this time, I have been engaged in ongoing efforts to continue to urge his resignation, including conversations with SCDC officials. I have also sent a written response to the letter conveying my continued belief that it is best for the Party that Jeff no longer serve in his role as Chair.
Two days ago, I was contacted by a reporter from Spotlight Delaware indicating that he had received a copy of the letter that the group of SCDC officials had sent to me. I anticipate that the reporter will publish on this topic today. If you receive any inquiries from the press, I ask that you refer them to me.
As noted, I remain of the belief that it is in the interest of the Party for Jeff to resign from his role, and I am continuing to evaluate options in the event that he does not submit his resignation. I welcome your thoughts as I navigate this matter, and you should feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss it.
I know nothing of Balk’s alleged criminal history or why he may be registered as a sex offender. Nor do I have enough info to judge whether or not he should resign. What I do know is that Chris Coons is alleged to be the one pushing for the firing.
4. D Ryan Stuckey Files For RD 41 Ballot. He is, or was, the owner of the Kisa Cafe in Dagsboro. Hasn’t yet filed his committee. The odious Rich Collins is the incumbent.
5. Coming Next Week: Your One-Stop Shop For Campaigns To Support. I had planned to do that this week, but one important filing I had anticipated didn’t happen in time. Trust me–It’s worth waiting for.
That’s all I’ve got. What’d I miss, and whaddayathink?