They never learn:
Last night, the Delaware Democratic Party’s State Executive Committee met and made its endorsements for the statewide primary ballot. The Party is united behind a slate that reflects real experience and real fight (AYFKM? Chris Coons? Seriously?). Sen. Chris Coons for US Senate, Representative Sarah McBride for State Representative. Attorney General Kathleen Jennings for another term protecting Delawareans (including police agencies who are answerable to nobody). Ted Lauzen (whose family is deeply involved in Ohio Republican politics). Auditor of Accounts Lydia York for another term holding state government accountable. Congratulations to all five candidates on earning the party’s endorsement.
Yep, the same party that endorsed John Carney over Jack Markell. The same party that endorsed Bethany Hall Long over Matt Meyer. They should, and should have, stayed out of the way of the Democratic rank-and-file voters who will decide these contests. I’m really PO’d at Party Chair Evelyn Brady, who I voted for and who I really like personally. She had promised more openness and transparency. She flat-out should have taken a firm stand against this. That was the theme of her seeking to be the Party Chair. Erik Raser-Schramm did it, why didn’t Evelyn?
And, man–just look at this Executive Committee:
State Party Chair
State Party Vice Chair 1
Coby Owens
State Party Vice Chair 2
Debbie Harrington
State Treasurer
Brennon Fountain
State Secretary
Leslie Ledogar
National Committeeman
Sean Finnigan
National Committeewoman
Sean Finnigan is a corporate lobbyist who, in his spare time, campaigns for Rethug-turned-D Ed Mulvihill against Rae Krantz in RD 6. He’s also related to the DeLuca clan, including Tiny Tony. There is no universe where he should be Delaware’s National Democratic Committeeman.
It has long been established that Kerri Evelyn Harris sold out the first chance she got.
Coby Owens is good with a bullhorn, perhaps because he spews bull. I’ve long been skeptical of him due to his Holloway family connections. Insiders tell me that Debbie Harrington is useless.
Perhaps there were people on the committee who objected to all of the endorsements. We hope to get the minutes of the meeting.
I don’t have a problem with the endorsements of Coons, McBride, and York. Coons (unfortunately) faces only token primary opposition, and Sarah and Lydia have no primary opponents.
But I especially object to the Party’s endorsement of Kathleen Jennings. While I’ve supported her opposition to all things Trump, she has not been transparent when it comes to holding police officers accountable, and has failed to support needed law enforcement reforms. Oh, and whatever happened to investigations (if there were/are any) into BHL and Val Longhurst?
Dwayne Bensing is a serious candidate, with a well thought-out plan for how he envisions a true Department of Justice operating under his watch. Please read that link. Early on, I had leaned toward supporting Kathy. But after hearing both their presentations at our District Committee Candidates Forum, I realized that Bensing is the candidate who has the vision to restore ‘justice’ to the Department of Justice. That ‘Executive Committee’ almost assuredly did not give two shits about that. Why? Because they’re political hacks. I’m now
fully in Dwayne’s camp.
I also see no justification whatsoever for endorsing Ted Lauzen. While he has credentials for the office, he has no Democratic credentials. He’s dazzled a lot of D’s with bullshit, he’s likely to win the primary. I’m not voting for any of the three in the primary, and will probably hold my nose and vote for Lauzen in the general because his opponent is Mike Ramone. But the Party had no business endorsing him. They’re basically setting up someone with at best dubious party ties to be the Next Big Thing in Democratic Party politics. Why?
I last contributed to the State Party when Erik was chair, and he ran a grassroots GOTV operation with the money. I will not contribute to the State Democratic Party this year. You’ve now seen why.
Why are we dragging Coby? He’s been on the right side of city council votes, showed up for our unhoused neighbors at Christina Park, and showed up in support of Kadir Skinner’s family. Even went to bat for a protester who was wrongfully arrested. I agree on Harrington and the others, but it’s probably best to leave Coby out of this.
If Coby objected to what the State Party did, then I’ll agree with you.
Let’s see what the minutes of the meeting show. I’ll even settle for someone who was there going on record.
BTW, is Coby out there campaigning against Stephanie Bolden? Betcha the answer is no.
I listened to the call and as far as I remember Coby just issued motions to cal the votes and voted. No comments.He also opened with the sound of him throwing out the first pitch at the blue rocks. Everyone got a good chuckle.
As I remember it went like this.
Senate candidates got 3 minutes to speak. Then, because there had not been a candidate forum, committee members got chances to ask questions. Only one question was asked of a candidate challenging Chris. Then the vote, coons endorsed. That wass s the only section allowed to ask questions.
Then the AG all got three minutes. Bensing gave arguably the best speech and asked the committee not to endorse. They had the vote. Endorse passed. Jennings won.
Then the Treasurer. Ted gave a generic speech. Mike Smith pulled out the shiv and basically said, “What are we doing here people?!? You can’t endorse a guy who donated to Republicans! including the republican candidate for Treasurer! For Gods sake Im endorsed by the teachers!” I exaggerate for effect but that was his gist. Then the vote, endorse won, ted won.
No real chit chat and no real discussion among the committee.
I have some more thoughts and impressions of how or why people voted the way they did. Things that would not be captured in the minutes. But thats more opinion.I just wanted to give a general play by play of what happened.
I also dont want to accidentally attest to someone voting one way when they voted another without the votes in front of me.
Hope this helps.
Thanks! That helps a lot.
I was on the call and people couldn’t wait to vote to have an endorsement. They were practically foaming at the mouth. I thought Evelyn recused herself and didnt vote to endorse or for any candidate.
Mike Smith gave the best speech, agreed. He implored people to not abstain when the vote came. Yet, many did abstain in this race. He was right on point and has my vote.
The state needs to change their bylaws on endorsements.
I like Evelyn but im still in the time may tell club.
I can’t vote for anybody in that Treasurer’s race. Lauzen, for all intents and purposes, is not a Democrat. Smith ran a real dirty campaign against Frank Burns. And Micheal Miller is unfit to hold public office.
The day before, when Mike Smith was presenting at Indivisible Highlands, a person in the audience started pointing out that Ted had supported Republicans. Mike literally cut off the conversation. He asked the audience member to stop in mid-sentence. He defended Ted, saying people can change their politics. His language implied it was a low blow to attack Ted on being a Republican. That he was taking the high ground.
Then, 24 hours later, he said the literal exact opposite to the DelDem committee.
Make of that what you may.
So after I saw the bullshit AG debate with the “moderator” was in the tank for Kathy, last night’s result was a lock. Ms Brady has proven herself to be useless and my high hopes are officially dashed. The last good chair was Erik and the one before that was Henry Topel (El Som you can explain to the kids who he was).
I don’t know how Coby voted last but I have seen him marching for Kadir multiple times with Michelle Booker and he has posted pictures of himself with her.