Susan Gay declares candidacy for Rehoboth commissioner

The first candidate for Rehoboth Beach’s municipal election has thrown her name in the ring.

Susan Gay, 62, has announced she will seek a city commissioner seat as a nonresident.

“I love the city and want to preserve its unique character and make it even better for residents, businesses and visitors by developing a shared vision for our future,” Gay said. “I feel I am qualified because I've been active in several civic groups, participated in many city meetings for the past two-plus years. I know the process and various perspectives on the issues.”

A part-time resident who makes her permanent home in Pennsylvania, Gay is the co-chair of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Trees and a board member of Save Our Lakes Alliance3 and the Rehoboth Beach Historical Society.

Gay and her husband, Jonathan Andrews, bought a home in Rehoboth in 2014 after a 30-year career in the medical publishing business. This is her first run for political office. She said her career featured skills that will come into play as a commissioner such as strategic planning, analysis and budgeting.

“I thrive on working as part of a team to achieve a shared vision. I'm impressed with the knowledge and commitment of the many talented people who have given selflessly of their time to serve the city, and I look forward to the prospect of joining them to move the city forward,” Gay said.  

She said the three most important issues facing Rehoboth are protection of the environment, maintaining Rehoboth’s quality of life and capital planning and budgeting.

“The time is right for me to take this step,” Gay said. “I feel that this work has prepared me to take a seat at the table for policy and budget decisions. I want to move the city forward.”

The Rehoboth municipal election will be held Saturday, Aug. 12 at the Rehoboth fire hall. This year will see the mayor’s seat and two commissioner seats up for grabs. Mayor Sam Cooper - up for a potential 10th term in office - has not declared his intention to run, nor has incumbent Commissioner Lorraine Zellers, who would be seeking a fourth term. Incumbent Commissioner Kathy McGuiness said she plans to run, although she has not yet filed, for her second consecutive term in her second stint as commissioner - she previously served from 2000 to 2013.