Delaware Political Weekly-Feb. 11-17, 2012

1. Excitement Mounts for the Karen Weldin Stewart Campaign Kick-Off.

I got my invitation. Did you? I would’ve saved the date of Wednesday, Feb. 29 had I not already planned to see the Carolina Chocolate Drops at the Queen that very night. Because what a luminescent set of dignitaries will join the ‘Honorable’ KWS on this opulent occasion! The Host Committee consists of Sen. Harris McDowell (’nuff said), Councilman John Cartier (!?), an optometrist, a chiropractor, and…two construction trade union guys.  Joseph P. Durham, Business Rep. for Carpenters Local 626, and Douglas Drummond, Business Manager for Electrical Workers Local 313. I’ve always liked John Cartier and have even campaigned for him. John, John? Can we talk? WTF are you doing getting involved in this race? You and I both know that KWS is unsuited for public office. Is someone forcing you to do this, someone like McDowell, or the unions? I hope so, b/c any other explanation casts doubts on your judgment. Speaking of ‘the (construction trades) unions’, just what is it about Karen Weldin Stewart and, for that matter, the Insurance Commissioner’s office, that attracts Tony DeLuca’s political allies to this race? I don’t know, but I do know this: Whatever it is, it ain’t kosher.

2. Paul Clark Gets A Primary Opponent, One Who Has Actually Filed.

Richard D. Krett. President of AFSCME Local 3109; the Assistant Chief with the Emergency Medical Services Division of County Department of Public Safety; and former President of the Good-Will Fire Company in the New Castle area. Krett frequently serves as a spokesperson for the county paramedics, and is quoted in the paper, usually following some accident or incident. There, of course, is a history of animus between Clark and many county employees over proposed cuts, hiring freezes, and the like. On the face of it, Krett seems like a credible challenger. Seeing as how I, and no doubt thousands of others, have no intention of voting for Clark in a primary, Krett at least has the opportunity to convince voters that he is a viable alternative. Hmmm, now that I think about, I’m pretty sure I met Mr. Krett while working on issues surrounding a proposed baseball complex near  Shipley Road. Krett was essential in providing assistance on the issue of ambulance/fire ingress/egress to the complex. I recall him as being professional, prompt and helpful.  Hey, we just might have something here…

3. Mike Miller Continues Delusional Quest for Public Office.

He was once the Gold Standard for laughable candidacies, running vanity campaigns not once, but twice, against Mike Castle for Congress. That, of course, was before Mike Prozac and Christine O’Donnell came along. Perhaps seeking to regain some of his lost luster, Miller has reportedly set his sights on the new 6th Senatorial District in eastern Sussex County. Like Prozac and the Non-Witch, Miller is great to have around. You never know what thoughts will escape from that delusional mind, and we need stuff like that in an Election Year. Miller is challenging a well-organized juggernaut in the Democratic Primary in Andy Staton. The winner faces the winner of a Republican primary between Ernie Lopez and Glen Urquhart. Unless someone else decides to jump in. Staton was already looking good, now he gets the chance to look good by comparison, plus he gets to hit up his donors for additional maximum contributions–one for the primary, one for the general.

4. Colin Bonini Has A Sugar Daddy

Or, at least, a Sugar LLC. Celia Cohen reports that Bonini has set up a PAC and that the PAC has collected a huge chunk of money from something called North Star Campaign LLC. Cohen writes:

While Bonini’s campaign painstakingly collected $258,600, his Responsible Delaware PAC vacuumed up another $349,500, some of it in mega-contributions, according to their financial disclosure reports.

The biggest contribution of them all was $190,000 from North Star Campaign LLC, whatever that is. No fooling, $190,000 from some mysterious limited liability corporation that is essentially a mail drop and legally does not have to explain anything more about itself. Nor does Bonini.

“It’s Responsible Delaware PAC, and I’m responsible for it,” Bonini said.

Democracy in the 21st Century, ladies and gentlemen.

5. Yet Another Ex-Cop for Wilmington?

Robert A. Williams has filed for the 7th City Councilmanic District in Wilmington. When I first saw that he lives on Geddes Street in Union Park Gardens, I assumed he was a cop, since it seems like every family on Geddes Street has a cop in it.  Thanks to intrepid sleuthing by my esteemed colleague Cassandra, I can indeed confirm that Robert A. Williams is a retired Lieutenant from the Wilmington Police Department. The district is currently represented by Paul Ignudo, so maybe a primary could be in the offing. Or maybe the lines have changed since redistricting. Cass?

6. Sussex R’s Name New Chair

One Jerry Wood, long-time R volunteer. Stressed uniting the party. This article suggests he’s more a ‘nuts-and-bolts’ guy than an ideologue. We’ll see how that plays down there. David Anderson over at DP offers penetrating analysis in which he claims complete and total credit for getting Wood up and in (This sentence dedicated to Jason330 and sophomores everywhere).

7. Filings, We Have Filings

In addition to the aforementioned Richard Krett and Robert A. Williams, we’ve got the following additions this week: Rep. Bryon Short, 7th District; Rep. Terry Schooley, 23rd District; and Ken Boulden, NCC Clerk of the Peace. All are incumbents seeking reelection.

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