It was with great dismay and wonder (but not surprise) that I read in the Cape Gazette recently that the Democratic committee of Representative District 14 (Rehoboth) "unanimously" endorsed Kathy McGuiness as candidate for state auditor.
There are so many things wrong with this, but let's start with the state Democratic Party rules that prohibit a representative district from endorsing a candidate other than the representative in that district. The most that an RD can do for any other candidate, especially for a candidate running for a statewide office, is "recommend for endorsement" to the county committee which, if approved, would move on to the state committee. (Update: If you check the on-line version of the article, you will notice that the language in the article was changed after the RD had been called out for this violation.
You will also hear from some members of RD 14 that they didn't really endorse McGuiness, that the vote was always to "recommend" endorsement. But I've been told by two members of the committee that in fact, the language of the actual vote was to endorse, and then changed after the fact.)
But now, let's consider whether it is even appropriate for the party machine to endorse (or recommend to endorse) any candidate during a primary. When there are two or more candidates running in a primary election, the party needs to stay out of it. The purpose of a primary is to allow the voters to get to know the candidates, to vet them, to learn about them and the issues, and then, through the electoral process, choose the candidate that the voters think will make the best candidate in the general election.
Why should any RD committee, or any official branch of the party, interject itself into this democratic process? Is it desperation, arrogance or a need to control the outcome?
Next, we must question the judgment of those who sit on the RD 14 committee. They cast a unanimous vote to endorse a candidate for state auditor who has virtually no reasonably expected qualifications for the position. It was essentially a popularity vote, taken on behalf of a friend of the committee. (And I'm told by a member of the committee that there was tremendous pressure to make the vote unanimous.) McGuiness is a registered pharmacist, dabbles in real estate, and is a City of Rehoboth commissioner.
Her much touted "certified fraud examiner" credential was received within the past year or so. To what extent has she practically applied this credential and where? What is her experience in leading teams of auditors? What, in fact, does she know about auditing standards and how to thoughtfully apply them? And what is the evidence that she can accurately and independently make decisions on the acceptability of audits of government agencies and funds? Does the RD truly understand the role of the state auditor? Their vote certainly raises that question.
The voters need to ask themselves a question apparently not asked by the RD: Who is really the most qualified candidate for this position? There are two other candidates in the race. Look them up. Consider them. Study their background. Do not be swayed by this, or any RD's endorsement. The voters will (as they should) decide Sept. 6.
And, if you do nothing else, vote!
Don Peterson
Rehoboth Beach
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