We haven’t reached the ‘Most Intriguing Primaries’ stage yet. But I find these races to be more or less interesting.
Anti-labor forces target two D’s. Yep, they’re associated with Associated Builders & Contractors. One, Dawn Briggs, is primarying the Senate’s leading pro-labor Democrat, Jack Walsh in SD 9. The other, Jose Lopez, is primarying Sen. Spiros Mantzavinos in SD in SD 7. Briggs is a CPA, and Lopez is a restaurant owner. He is also on the Board of Directors of the Latin American Community Center. Lopez definitely has some legit credentials, too bad that his candidacy is based on supporting non-union contractors.
Pro-labor forces target Eric Morrison in RD 27. To be specific, the Building & Construction Trades led by James Maravelias. You know, because Morrison allegedly did not support the plot for organized labor to control all school construction projects. Even if true, Morrison has been a labor supporter on everything else. Apparently Maravelias applies the same ‘purity standard’ that the Democratic Socialists of Delaware have been accused of doing. His chosen flunky is one Christopher Muntz (‘ha-ha’). Maravelias had initially gotten him to challenge Dave Carter in an NCC Council race, but got butt-hurt and had the malleable Muntz switch over to this race. He’s the Business Manager for Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 74. He clearly doesn’t have a mind of his own. Have I mentioned lately how Maravelias pisses away his members’ dues? Here’s a prim(ary) example.
Former Chris Coons challenger Chris Beardsley quickly slunk away from that primary only to resurface months later in a primary against State Senator Kyra Hoffner in this below-the-canal district. Hoffner is no heavyweight (putting it mildly), and is the most-endangered D senate incumbent. But not at the hands of Beardsley, who would have been better off licking his wounds and reflecting on his shitty campaign. Something tells me we haven’t seen the last of him, but we will have seen the last of him for this cycle come September.
There’s a Republican Primary in RD 8. The winner will face the winner of the D primary for the seat currently held by Rae Moore. For completists, the two R candidates are Gary Taylor and Watara T. F. Heath. Taylor is a, yup, retired state cop. Heath is a clinician who works with the Dover police to assist on ‘utilizing the co-responder model, which pairs specially trained law enforcement officers with behavioral health professionals to provide effective, compassionate, and coordinated responses to individuals in crisis.’ I might add that when Matt Meyer was County Executive, he promoted this model in New Castle County. Good candidate, wrong party.
Rep. Alonna Berry, who has frankly exceeded my expectations in RD 20, faces the allegedly-Democratic wife of sleazeball former Smyrna Mayor and former Suxco County Councilman Mark Schaeffer. Ruby Schaeffer, whose name is as red as her political leanings. Who was, of course, a Rethug. One of the reasons why I especially admire Berry is b/c she’s involved in so many worthy community projects. Here is but one of them. When someone has been truly involved in the community before they were elected, and remain involved after they’re elected, they tend to be among the best elected officials. I think Berry will handily win the primary. I have heard a rumor of interest, though. Which is that a certain someone in the House Democratic Caucus is supporting Schaeffer. Can anyone confirm or refute this rumor? Because it’s out there…and would be pathetic, if true.
We’ll close out this session with two R State House primaries. In RD 33, Charles Postles, who has had health issues, is retiring. R’s Matt Bucher and Morgan Hudson are facing off in the primary. Bucher just retired as the Vice President of the Milford Board Of Education. Hudson serves on the Kent County Board Of Adjustment, and is the President Of The Board Of Directors of the Frederica Senior Center.
The winner of the primary faces D Joshua Pennington in the General.
We have a rematch of a closely-contested contest from 2024. Incumbent Bryan Shupe faces Patrick Smith in RD 36. Shupe edged Smith by 12 votes in 2024, 1157-1145. Shupe stands for ‘Faith. Freedom. Family.’, according to his website. Wow, kinda makes you (aka ‘me’) wonder why he almost lost that 2024 primary. Well, Smith is straight out of MAGA central casting:
Patrick Smith is first and foremost a proud American! Patrick is seeking the opportunity to serve The Great People of the 36th District in the Delaware House of Representatives as a Republican. We must restore conservative values and integrity to an elected office that has long been deprived of such through reduction of taxes, education free of political influence, advocating for mothers and their unborn, Second Amendment Rights unimpeded, and by encouraging free markets in hopes for a Delaware where well-paying jobs are no longer scarce.
I can see why Shupe might be vulnerable in a Republican primary. Should Smith win, perhaps D Andy Gorlich might have a shot in the General. Still a pretty strong R district, though…
We’ve got a lot of meat remaining on those primary bones. Coming up, uh, when I get around to it.
