Bethany Hall-Long to run for Lt. Governor.
Not that it was much of a secret, since she attended the Jamboree in Sussex County (it is pretty rare for upstate politicians to do that unless you are running for something) and it has been rumored that she would run for some time. But now there is official paperwork. The News Journal says this will shake up the Lt. Governor race. I say it ends it.
But DD, there are now six candidates!?! How can you say it is over? Well, those candidates are Brad Eaby, Greg Fuller, Bethany Hall-Long, Kathy McGuiness, Ciro Poppiti III, Sherry Dorsey Walker. I do not mean to be unkind, but let’s be honest here. Eaby is an unknown Kent County Levy Court Commissioner (like a County Council member). Dorsey Walker couldn’t beat Bob Marshall in a Senate primary in Wilmington. Greg Fuller was the Sussex County Register of Wills for two years (2008-10). Ciro Popitti III (drop the three, you are not royalty) is the current New Castle County Register of Wills since 2010. Kathy McGuinness is a Rehoboth Beach Commissioner and former (current?) fundraiser/supporter of Senator Ernie Lopez (R).
Yeah, until Bethany came a long, I felt the field, with all due respect, lacked gravitas. Sure, the LG position is nothing constitutionally. You are required to have a pulse and to be preside over the Senate. That’s it. Unless you have a working relationship with the Governor who delegates to you some issues/projects, you are doing nothing but that. Well, yes, he or she gets a seat on the Board of Pardons. But that’s it.
However, I view the position as a running mate to the Governor, and as a potential future Governor. Much like we view Vice President as a potential launching pad for President. I guarantee you many of the above mentioned names view the position as a launching pad, if not for Governor, for a more prominent state wide office.
Perhaps during the campaign one of the five candidates I mentioned will outshine Bethany Hall Long and impress me. Or perhaps Hall Long will not impress me, and I will back to picking among the six (I was leaning towards Fuller or Eaby.)
Statewide race means her hubby will rack up a lot of mileage picking up the GOP candidate’s lawn signs.
beat me to it..
This I know. BHL will out work the combined efforts of the other candidates. She will shake more hands, knock on more doors and directly ask more people for their support.
STATE SENATOR DISTRICT 10
22 of 22 Districts Reported
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
BETHANY HALL-LONG 6230 51 . 1 %
REPUBLICAN PARTY
JOHN MARINO 5860 103 5963 48 . 9 %
I’m surprised by this. She has much more power as a Senator than as Lt. Governor. However, I agree with DD. She’s the likely favorite.
What’s your point? That was on its way to being a blow out before ‘Sign Sin’ ™
El Som – to be thought for statewide offices you have to start somewhere.
With all due respect, the field still lacks gravitas.
Let’s be honest here, for second, folks… For many of you, unless Jesus Christ himself or God herself were to run for LG, you’d be saying the field lacked gravitas
LOL. I have always wanted to ask Geezer this: is there any candidate/office holder anywhere that you are a fan of?
BHL voted against repeal of the death penalty and had to be dragged kicking and screaming to vote for gay marriage and the transgender equality bill. Got anyone else?
The political outlook for mid-December or mid-February (not sure when the special election clock starts ticking) could have particular impact on the balance of power in the Senate. Could be looking at two special elections to replace Townsend and BHL. They swing R, then you’re looking at a GOP-controlled Senate (11-10).
I have no idea which D’s are up for reelection in the Senate and whether their seats are at risk of flipping or not… The wonks on this blog will certainly inform…
Matt Denn, within limits. I’m not foolish enough to think he’s a progressive.
Both districts have heavily D registration advantages. And, yes, BHL would have won in a blowout if not for Sign Gate.
Despite her faults (not as progressive as I’d like), I think she does have gravitas, as she is the Senate’s leading expert on, for example, health care issues.
Prop Joe – Townsend, Hall-Long, Poppitti and Navarro are taking a free swing here. None faces re-election until 2018. Bryon Short is, of course, risking his job as a state rep.
I remember that there was a representative that got elected a few years ago and basically resigned the next day to move to Colorado or something. The special election to replace her was in mid-December (won by Tom Kovach). I imagine that any special elections would be in the same timeframe.
However, with two Senate seats potentially open, other sitting elected officials are likely to make a bid for those (e.g. Tackett takes a run at the Townsend seat). If one of those people win, we go to a 3rd round of elections in January. Wheeee!
Let me add, that I agree with Jason. Bethany Hall-Long is one of the hardest working people I know. She is a perpetual motion machine that has always been responsive to me when I had a question (she is my Senator). She is going to be hard to beat.
Woke up this morning and thought “Is Gov. Markell still alive ??” Panicked because we DO NOT have a Lt. Gov. as we speak. Thanks to action of a one MATT DENN . Now i know no one is concerned about that and still think Mr. DENN is marvelous guy but i worry…. remind me again. “If Gov. falls over this afternoon who becomes Gov…Colin or Gerald HOCKER “.
Next in line is Sec of State J W Bullock. You’re right though, nobody cares.
http://www.nlga.us/wp-content/uploads/States-Lines-of-Gubernatorial-Succession-2.pdf
And like clockwork, John Daniello provides me with the opportunity to make my usual complaint:
No. It is the job of voters to vet these candidates. The Party putting its thumb on the scale for business as usual needs to stop.
he has a little sliver of a point. I mean, who votes in Dem primaries? Ordinary civilians, or party regulars? (whatever that means)
The Party putting its thumb on the scale has proven less than worthless. Otherwise, you’d already have Gov. Carney and IC Crane. And you’d still have Sen DeLuca.
I agree that it’s time for the Party to get out of the endorsement business. If for no other reason than to save it further embarrassment.
If the Party had actually told voters WHY they endorsed who they did and actually worked for endorsed candidates, you would have IC Crane
An endorsement is helpful in giving a challenger credibility, but these days voters need more.
I’m not sure about the other candidates. But, I second anon’s comments about Hall-Long.