Brady Won’t Seek Reelection

Amid public backlash and calls for his resignation, Delaware state Rep. Gerald Brady (D) said that he would not seek reelection after his current term expires, the Associated Press reports.

Brady accidentally copied an advocate of decriminalzing prostitution on an email: “Is the dude basically saying, if we provide free Blowjobs for Uncle Pervie there will be few rapes and few chink broads will be shipped in CONEX containers to the Port of Wilmington??”

Here is Brady’s’ statement announcing his decision, which is the correct one:

“Serving in the General Assembly has been an honor and a privilege for me, a highlight of a professional career that included years serving on Wilmington City Council and decades in the Delaware National Guard. I have always prided myself on providing excellent constituent services to all residents I have been elected to represent.

“However, my recent actions – using a deeply offensive anti-Asian slur and attempting to make a crass joke about human trafficking – make it more difficult to effectively provide the kind of representation all residents of the 4th District expect and deserve. All residents should have elected officials who serve and treat others with dignity and respect, whether it’s in public forums or in private communications.

“There can be no excuse for my actions, and after careful reflection these past several days, I have decided that I will not seek re-election when my term ends. I cannot in good conscience ask the voters to put their faith in me again after I betrayed theirs. I can only humbly and unequivocally apologize again for my actions, for which I am solely responsible.

“I will complete the prescribed sensitivity training and work to make amends with the Asian American community. I will use this as an opportunity to heal the wounds that my words have created. I will continue to work tirelessly to address the issues impacting my constituents as well as the citizens of Delaware.”

In response to Rep. Gerald Brady’s announcement Monday that he will not seek re-election and will retire from elected office, House Democratic Leadership – Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf, Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst and Majority Whip Larry Mitchell – issued the following joint statement:

“Rep. Brady’s comments were reprehensible, racist, sexist and indefensible, and each of us expressed that message to him during this past week. After several very frank conversations with him these past few days, we are grateful that he has reached this decision today. We know that it cannot absolve his actions, but we hope it is a first step toward healing and addressing this situation.

“We want to be clear about something we have heard from residents this past week: As a duly elected official, only Rep. Brady can make a decision about his political future. House leadership cannot unilaterally take action. We can and did provide guidance, but the decision ultimately was his.

“During these remaining months, we will ensure that Rep. Brady completes the sensitivity training we directed him to take, as well as reaching out to the Asian American community. We are sincere in our belief that he must take positive steps toward bettering himself and repairing those connections going forward. We also will continue to review the situation and will take any other actions we deem proper and necessary at the appropriate time.

“Lastly, we want to speak directly to Delaware’s Asian American community: We truly apologize for the hurt, anger and mistrust this past week has caused you. We are keenly aware of the growth in anti-Asian hatred during this past year, and the last thing anyone should have to experience on top of that is one of their elected representatives dehumanizing them as a joke. It’s appalling, and we must expect better.

“To that end, we plan to make sensitivity training available to all members of the House of Representatives. While we do not believe our colleagues harbor such views, it would be beneficial for them to learn of any microaggressions or other attitudes or actions that negatively impact the Asian American community, and how we all can take steps to improve our relationships with the community.

“We are committed to making amends as leaders of this caucus and as elected officials, to show by our actions that we are better than the words of one member. We hope that over time, we can regain the trust of the community and work together to ensure a better and brighter future for all Delawareans.”

I am fine with him not seeking reelection and not going the further step of resigning outright right now. Why? Am I endorsing keeping and old white guy racist in office for another 18 months? Well, no, but I also want the 4th RD to have a true primary to determine the next Representative rather than a special election where party leaders and the RD committee chooses the candidate, and then that candidate wins the special and is a strong incumbent in 2022. So candidates, spend the next 18th months fighting for this seat. Brady has been there a long time and there are many candidates who should now take this opportunity.