So the mystery candidate to primary Senator Tom Carper from the left has been revealed. She is Kerri Evelyn Harris, a Dover community activist. She is an U.S. Air Force veteran and mother of two.
Senator Carper is quoted in the News Journal article as saying “if the voters get tired of me, they’ll let me know.” Indeed, Senator. Indeed.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Gary Simpson has announced his retirement, something he was not planning to do until March but he was forced to by his fellow Republican State Representative Dave Wilson, who filed for the seat on Friday. Wilson and Sam Guy prove that being a contemptuous asshole to their potential predescessor is a bipartisan endeavor.
“I am disappointed that I was unable to announce my retirement on my own terms,” Simpson wrote in a statement. “I will have more to say when we return to session.”
Supposedly, Wilson did this to get out ahead of other candidates interested in Simpson’s seat. There is no word on who will run for Wilson’s 35th Representative District seat.
In the 22nd RD, where longtime Republican Representative Joe Miro is rumored retiring, we have two Democratic candidates preparing to run. The first is Renee Taschner, a former New Castle County police officer and longtime Democratic Party volunteer and member who ran County Council President back in 2012 and Councilperson for the 3rd Council district before that. She will be facing Guillermina Gonzalez, a former ExxonMobil marketing executive who moved to Delaware and has worked for Voices Without Borders, a Delaware nonprofit organization that worked to improve the status of Hispanics statewide, and the Delaware Arts Alliance. Gonzalez will be having a campaign kick off event on Wednesday February 21st at 5 pm at the Piree’s Piri Piri Grill, 5335 Limestone Road.
In the 5th RD, Democrats Y. Deneice Berry and Kendra Johnson are both running to succeed Rep. Melanie George Smith.
This coming week, we will be turning our attention to the much neglected county offices in all three counties.
Disappointing there are no challengers in RD’s 1,2,3 or 4.
Why is Wilmington satisfied with the status quo?
Hi. As we get geared up for campaigns, you might be interested in sharing this website with votes — Delaware’s First Map – Citizens Map. I get easily confused by all the districts — this map allows you to see them all, then click to immediately see who the current rep/senator is. On the “layer” icon at the bottom, you can pull up all kinds of other useful stuff. Thought I would share, as I know I’m not the only one scratching my head trying to figure out where RD 22 is. http://delaware.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=87e60393788742b78a2994f0c51f1224
This is a great map! Thank you!
Also, if anyone is looking for demographic and statistical information, you can find it here with profiles for Delaware and each State House and State Senate district: https://statisticalatlas.com/state/Delaware/Overview
Few additions:
-Ajawavi Ajavon (D) for RD5
-Guillermina Gonzalez (D) & Renee Taschner (D) for RD22 (also Fred Cullis (R), but he raised no money in 2017, so not sure if he’s really running)
-David Anderson (R) for RD31
-In addition to Don Allan, Cathy Cohee is apparently running for RD 36 but has no committee open. Here is her website: http://coheefor36th.com/
-Kathleen Davies (I) for Auditor
-Dave Baker (D) for SD 6
-Debbie Harrington (D) for RD 9
-Bill Dilks (R) for RD24
-Lee Murphy (R) for RD6 – he played Sec of Defense on House of Cards and here is his website: http://www.goleemurphy.com/ Also, this article: https://www.delawareonline.com/story/pulpculture/2014/02/20/house-of-cards-delaware-reed-birney/5645979/
-William Morris (R) for RD30
-Jason Stewart closed his committee for SD17
Think that is all but I might have missed something. Please correct if so.
Thanks for those updates, May!
The 14th RD needs a progressive challenger to the incumbent. As does all of Sussex County.
Sad to see no Dem challenger for Jeff Spiegleman in the 11th house district.
Isn’t there a another Dem running for SD 4 also? It thought there was going to be a primary.