Delaware Political Weekly: Week Ending April 30, 2026

1.  BREAKING: Nicole Poore Has A Challenger!  Keonna Watson.  Got this in my e-mail yesterday evening:

Friend,

I am Delaware.

I was raised in New Castle County—shaped by these streets, these neighborhoods, and the people who showed up for one another when systems too often failed us.

My roots run deep here.

My parents were one of the first Black couples to purchase a home in the Rosegate community in the 1960s.

Years later, in 1980, they moved to Holloway Terrace, where they were the only Black family in the neighborhood for years, at a time when integration was not always welcomed.

Still, they built a life there—and they taught me resilience, service, and the meaning of true community.

I grew up in Holloway Terrace, just off the Route 9 corridor—a road that connects so much of our community and so many of our stories.

Today, I proudly live in Delaware’s 12th Senate District.

My commitment to New Castle County has never been limited by district lines. I have spent my life listening, advocating, and fighting for change across our communities.

And now, I’m ready to do that in Dover.

For my birthday tomorrow, May 1st, I’m announcing my campaign for Delaware State Senate, District 12.

As a black and brown woman, a mother, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, a person living with a disability, and the descendant of migrants who came here in search of opportunity, I carry those experiences with me every day—not as burdens, but as the blueprint for the work I know needs to be done.

I know what it means to struggle.

I know what it means to persevere.

And I know what it means to fight for what should already be ours.

I’m running because too many of us are living lives that the people in power don’t seem to understand.

Families priced out of homes their parents could afford.

Folks skipping preventative care because a visit costs too much.

Kids walking into school hungry.

None of this is inevitable.

All of it is fixable — if we send people to Dover who actually know what it feels like.

I’m for the people. I am the people. You deserve a State Senator who understands your life because she’s lived it.

If $25 isn’t doable right now, come knock doors with me instead — that means just as much.

>> SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER <<

Let’s build a Delaware where every family has a home, every person has access to care, and no one is left behind.

In community,

Keonna

P.S. The first 48 hours of a campaign matter more than you’d think — they tell every reporter, every skeptic, and every neighbor who’s still deciding that this campaign is real. If you’re with me, today is the day to say so. >> CHIP IN $10 <<

I don’t know anything about her.  I don’t know how much preparation she’s done.  But she’s running against a self-dealer who parlayed her office into a six-figure job with a worthless agency.  If she’s for real, she can win.

Whoa! Is this her?  If so, she’s got some serious cred.  Was just appointed to the Governor’s LGBTQ+ Committee:

Dr. Keonna Watson
Headshot
Dr. Keonna Watson is a Queer Black Woman, Educator, and Community Advocate dedicated to advancing equity, healing, and liberation for LGBTQ+ communities across Delaware. Since 2005, she has created affirming spaces that center joy, visibility, and justice, particularly for Queer People of Color. She is the Founder and President of FreeLee Life Services for Individuals & Families, Inc., established on March 17, 2016, a nonprofit organization committed to dismantling systemic oppression impacting LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and Women through advocacy, resource access, and healing-centered programming. Dr. Watson is also the owner of a holistic mental health practice that provides affirming, multipath care for individuals across the lifespan, with a strong emphasis on LGBTQ+ wellness of mind, body, and spirit. In addition to her clinical and community work, Dr. Watson serves as a Professor of Psychology and Sociology, where she integrates psychosocial, sociocultural, socioeconomic, and sociopolitical perspectives into her teaching. Through her ordained ministry, she also affirms and celebrates Queer love by officiating commitment and marriage ceremonies. Dr. Watson’s work is rooted in ensuring that LGBTQ+ individuals, especially those at the intersections of race and identity, are seen, supported, and able to thrive.

 

2.  Julianne Murray Sez ‘Thanks, But No Thanks’:

Former Delaware Republican Party Chair Julianne Murray announced she will decline the party’s nomination for attorney general after delegates selected her during the April 25 convention, despite her not actively seeking the role.

“After careful consideration and thoughtful prayer, I have decided that I will respectfully decline the nomination for Attorney General,” she said.

In a statement from Murray, Murray said she was “deeply honored by the confidence” shown through the unexpected nomination.

Murray clarified that she was not present at the convention and had not entered the race. She noted that, at the time, no declared Republican candidate for attorney general had emerged, prompting delegates to take what she described as the “extraordinary step” of drafting her.

Yo, Rethugs:  There’s always Richard Forsten. Although…he probably doesn’t want to tout his R connections since he’s seeking reelection to the Appoquinimink School Board.  Uh, voters, you might want to remember that…

3.  This List Depresses Me.  There are about four people on this list who I like.  The rest define everything that sucks about the Delaware Way.  OK, I couldn’t cut-and-paste it.  It’s for Ted Lauzen’s Fundraiser.  The host committee consists of Laura Sturgeon (what’s up with that, Laura?), Marcus Henry, Jeff Bullock, Tony DeLuca, Bud Freel, Ed Freel, Margaret Rose Henry and Frank Vavala.  Among the others: Rebecca and Robert Byrd, Mitch Crane, Debra DeLuca, Sean Finnigan, Kim Gomes, Scott Kidner, Tanner Polce, and Rhett Ruggerio. 

I’m calling it–they see this guy as someone who they can ride to the Governor’s office.   His family has a long history in elected R politics in Ohio.  Tread carefully.

4.  Did I Mention School Board Elections?  Here are the candidates.  The elections are on May 12.  Did I mention Richard Forsten in Appo?  There are six filed candidates for three at-large spots.  Might I suggest–anybody but Rich Forsten?  Are there any endorsements out there?  Didn’t see any on the DSEA page.  I know that Shané Darby has endorsed Celita Cherry for a spot on the Christina School District Board, which is good enough for me.

5.  Kyle Grantham Files For NCC Council District 3.  He will primary Kira Alejandro to seek to succeed Janet Kilpatrick.  Here’s his webpage, which is not bad.  Although (a) some of the language is of the ‘it-can-mean-whatever-you-want-it-to’ school, and (b) I’m a big fan of Kira Alejandro, who has been on the front lines of activism, especially in Yorklyn.  So I’m hardly the most objective observer in this case.

6.  Filings: Rep. DeShanna Neal (D-RD 13);  Rep. Sean Lynn (D-RD 31).

Coming next week: Who HASN’T filed yet?  Expect lots of uninformed speculation.  I’m really good at that.

That’s all I’ve got this week (isn’t this enough?).  What’d I miss, and whaddayathink?