Delaware Political Weekly: June 28-July 4, 2024

1.  Filing Deadline Tuesday.  At 12 noon.  We’ll be providing countdown coverage, although perhaps the more notable deadline is Friday, July 12 at 4:30 pm.  That is for filed candidates to withdraw without forfeiting their filing fees.  Collin, are you in or are you out?  Do you really want to have the governorship of Bethany Hall Long as your legacy?

2.  Statewide Rethug Primaries Poppin’ Up All Over.  Can the Party even afford primaries?  One John Whalen III has filed to primary Donyale Hall for the right to serve as sacrificial lamb to the slaughter for Sarah McBride in the race for Congress.  I think Whalen is a  building contractor from Millsboro.  But that’s not all.  The anointed Rethug candidate for Governor Michael Ramone is now facing two primary challengers.  We had previously discussed Jerrold Price even before Ramone threw his Speedos into the ring.  You remember him–ex-NYC cop, ex-Rehoboth cop.  I would categorize his website as priceless, but, well, you know.  Enjoy. He and Ramone are now joined by Bobby Williamson.  This Bobby Williamson.  Don’t know about you, but I’m all for someone who will ‘ensure that we will not become an Annex to California, but we will protect our fellow Delawareans constitutional rights and freedoms and some commonsense justice that all people deserve’.   There’s lots more word salad like this on his website–highly recommended!  FWIW, looks like he’s best buds with the semi-literate (hey, I’m in a generous mood…) David Wilson.

3.  Rae Moore Draws Credible Candidate.  At least on e-paper.  One Chris Beronio.  Co-founder of W2 Climatech, a company ‘devoted to material science innovation’.  His bio:

With a distinguished career spanning 25 years, Chris stands as a seasoned material science executive, bringing a wealth of experience in engineering, product management, global business leadership (P&L), business/digital transformation programs, and I.T. to his role as the Chief Operations Officer at W2 Climatech. 

Beyond the corporate realm, Chris’s leadership journey includes notable service in the U.S. Navy on nuclear-powered submarines. His proficiency in small-team leadership, reactor operations, intelligence, and navigation underscore his adaptability and strategic prowess. 

Committed to community service, Chris is a valuable Main Street Business District board member and startup advisor, contributing actively to scouting and various community organizations. A proud graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from the University of Delaware.

Not your typical R candidate.  At least, not circa 2024.  Seems to oppose climate-friendly energy solutions, though, so that’s something.

4.  Do Rethugs Have Candidate For Insurance Commissioner?  Who knows?  One Ralph Taylor has filed a campaign committee for the office, but hasn’t yet filed for the ballot.   He was a Democrat, once served on Dover City Council, was throttled by Sean Lynn in a Democratic primary in RD 31 back in 2018, was also defeated by Lynn in a D primary back in 2014.  He’s Black, so he fits what passes for R ‘diversity’ efforts.  No-hopers on the statewide ballot.

5.  A Legislative Primary More Laughable Than The D Primary In RD 10?  Probably not, because Dennis E. Williams is running in the other one.  But the R’s face quite the choice in RD 13.   We already had a Rappa family member in the race, fittingly as a Rethug.  The Rappas had previously been known as funding the corrupt former Democratic NCC Chair Gene Reed back in the 70’s and early ’80’s. Yep, construction trades.  He has now been joined by Carlucci Coelho,  who ran and lost against DeShanna Neal in 2022.  What does he stand for?  Everything bad.  Got 39% in 2022.

6.  Primary In Wilmington Council District 6?  We’ll know by Tuesday.  Incumbent Yolanda McCoy has already filed.  One Michaelena Pedraza-Perez has filed a committee for the office, but is not yet ballot-qualified.  A Google search turned up bupkus, other than where she lives and how much her house is worth.

7.  Filings. State Rep Wm. Shannon Morris (R-RD 30);  Wilmington City Council President Trippi Congo (D);  Suxco Clerk Of The Peace Norman ‘Jay’ Jones (R).

That’s all I’ve got this week.  What’d I miss, and whaddayathink?