Questions of Authenticity at the 41st RD Debate
Former Republican John Atkins and Democrat Barbara Lifflander met last night in a debate sponsored by the Delaware Manufactured Homeowners Association. Besides Carney-Markell and Lee-Protack, this primary is one of the more interesting ones in the state. As we all know, Mr. Atkins formerly represented this district as a Republican from 2003 until 2007. But on one fateful evening in late October 2006, Mr. Atkins drove back from Secrets in Ocean City, Maryland intoxicated, was pulled over by the Maryland police, and he used his General Assembly credentials to escape getting thrown in jail. The ethical consequences of that move, along with other sordid allegations of spousal abuse and the bribery of babysitters forced Mr. Atkins to resign in 2007 lest the House take formal action to remove him.
Barbara Lifflander was Mr. Atkin’s opposition in 2004 and 2006, and she ran in the special election to replace him in 2007 but lost to Republican Greg Hastings. Now in 2008, Atkins wants his job back. But, for some reason, he does not want to challenge Mr. Hastings in a primary. Instead, he wants to deceive his constituents and register as a Democrat so that he can challenge Hastings in the general election. Now, this is a deep mystery to me, because Atkins’ basic selling point on running to return to his old job is that he has deep contacts within the community and knows how to work Dover and the state government agencies so as to provide excellent constitutent services. Now, that is Atkins’ only argument for his campaign. But it is an argument that can help win in a Republican primary just as it can help him win a general election. Nevertheless, Atkins has registered as Democrat, and is has filed as Democrat for this race.