It’s fair to say that the future they’re protecting isn’t Delaware’s, but the Delaware Way dominance that has polluted this state for decades. And, of course, there’s lots more. Check out pretty much any campaign finance report of these four. You’ll likely not only find additional contributions from Parkowski, Guerke & Swayze, but you’ll also see contributions from some of those behind this Third Party PAC.
Also, if you check out this F-Minus website, which tracks lobbyist infiltration of the political system throughout the country and which rates states on transparency or lack thereof (Delaware gets a D-minus), you will see the other corporate lobbyists who keep legislators like these four swimming in campaign cash.
While they may carry the ‘Democratic’ banner, these four are literally bought and paid for when it comes to their legislative allegiance. The Delaware Way requires having legislators who will do the bidding of the Corporate State to flourish at the expense of those who can’t match the coffers of the fat cats. I’ve been railing against this since I started blogging here in 2009.
Running against these four corporate shills are Shané Darby against Nnamdi, Adriana Leela Bohm (against Dan Cruce), Dr. Rob Bahnsen (against Krista), and Shay Frisby (against Ray Seigfried). They will not accept corporate donations. They are running people-powered campaigns and have promised to govern on behalf of the constituents who live in their districts.
So. When deciding who to vote for, you’re really deciding–would you rather vote for the person committed to representing you–or the person committed to carrying out the agenda of all of their corporate supporters and financiers?
One more quick item before I get off my soapbox. As you all know, I take a back seat to nobody when it comes to praising Spotlight Delaware. However, this at least raises a concern. The very same ‘Alliance To Protect Delaware’s Future’ is the ‘sponsor’ of this Civics 101 series in Spotlight Delaware. Here’s how they describe it:
Civics 101 is a continuing explanatory series by Delaware LIVE and the Spotlight Delaware content marketing team, designed to help readers understand how state government works and how budget decisions affect everyday life in Delaware. As leaders across the state confront a critical moment for public finances, it’s more important than ever for us all to appreciate how money can impact policy and drive Delaware’s future. The series has been sponsored by the Alliance to Protect Delaware’s Future.
Am I the only one who finds it a little ironic that a cabal of corporatists is behind a series purporting to ‘appreciate how money can impact policy and drive Delaware’s future’? I can only hope that the wall between the content and advertising arms of Spotlight Delaware is secure.
Oops, one last item (I promise). This piece was thanks to the diligent research of one of my fave DL Spies. I can’t thank them enough.
Dave Swayze’s obit was on the bulletin board in my building where he kept a Wilmington hideaway after he moved to his waterfront manse west of Bethany years ago. His reach beyond the grave is so Delaware Way! I am quite sure that this PAC is just one of many that will be pouring money into maintaining the rotting Delaware Way. This stuff will make our work more challenging but people power can and will prevail, Adriana, Shane’, Rob, Will, Shay, Pam , Michelle, and more of our comrades will rise above the stinking ooze of corporate cash and The General Assembly, will be a more representative body in November!
Re: Spotlight – Allison Levine announced that Spotlight Delaware appointed a new member to their Advisory Council. It’s none other than Alan Levin. I’m guessing he bought his way on with a generous donation.
Delaware Electric COOP isn’t a “corporation” its a member owned coop. Fantastic organization.
Which, of course, is not the point.
For example Bobby Byrd’s clients include, I think, Americans For Gun Safety.
That doesn’t negate the fact that virtually all of his clients have special interest legislation they want the General Assembly to pass, and that they count on Byrd to essentially pay off legislators.
That’s why I included the ENTIRE list of Parkowski, Guerke & Swayze’s clients. It would be dishonest to do anything else.
One common trait between the far left and right is that they both ostracize anyone who dares oppose their views. It is always followed with claims of those people being owned, bought out, puppets, the enemy of the people, etc.
The working families party “owns” their candidates as well. It is just done with even less transparency than most third party spending. Most of their candidates are propped up with third party spending from their national PAC. They take large donations for business interests and even conservative donors but they don’t need to disclose their donors on delaware campaign finance forms because they funnel it through the national PAC.
Medinah was reading talking points on the house floor debate of SB21 directly from an email sent to her by corporate lawyers who essentially cut a check to WFP to get their support to oppose the bill.
They pay for canvassers, mail, digital ads for the WFP candidates in Delaware. No different than what you’re discerning here. WFP just gives their candidates cover by essential saying go campaign and tell people you’re not accepting money from special interests, we will do that for you behind the curtain.
WFP knows that if you’re not spending outside money you’re not going to go far. It’s all game theory until it is outlawed which won’t happen anytime soon. Their candidates generally are not viable without outside financial support besides the likes of the prolific personalities like AOC and Mamdami.
Just to clarify: Dr Rob is not a WFP candidate. Your statement does not apply to him.
Where did I mention WFP anywhere in that piece? Please show me–I’d really like to know.
WFP Derangement Syndrome is real, bro
As someone who is managing canvassing for a WFP-endorsed candidate, I can tell you we haven’t paid a canvasser a thin cent and you’ve got no evidence to support such a supposition.
Bet you won’t respond with your name attached.
The difference between Madinah using advisors’ talking points and the corporate House Dems using corporate defense bar talking points is Madinah understood what she was saying lol.
House leadership barely have one brain among the 3 of them.
I’m glad Mimi isn’t arranging meetings with the Transperfect/Shawe people though. (She is. She has to. She does not understand the issues at hand.)