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.
