Georgetown activist Jane Hovington challenges Booth

About 40 people braved the heat to watch Jane Hovington announce her candidacy for the 19th Senate District on the steps of Sussex County Democratic Headquarters in Georgetown.

“I know there are some changes we can make,” Hovington said. “I just ask you to help me.”

House Majority Leader Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, who introduced Hovington, said she was approached to run for a number of seats in Sussex County this election cycle.  Hovington chose to run against incumbent Sen. Joe Booth, R-Georgetown.

“It’s going to be challenge,” Schwartzkopf said.  “We have a titan in there.”

But Hovington said Republican Party infighting could give her a leg up.  “There’s too much controversy,” she said.  “I’m coming to the Senate not owing anybody anything.”

Senate District 19 was altered during redistricting to achieve a higher minority population.  The district now centers itself around Georgetown, where Hovington said she has lived for 25 years.

If elected, Hovington will take elected office for the first time since she served one term as a member of Georgetown Town Council in the mid-1990s.

Hovington, 62, is director of Shechinah Empowerment Center, a nonprofit, community service center in Georgetown.  One of the services the center provides is food for senior residents who are struggling financially.

Hovington said seniors are too often deciding between medications and food.  “I’m concerned they’re not being provided for,” she said.  “I can’t keep saying, ‘People need to do something,’ unless I stand up and do something myself.”

If elected, Hovington said she plans to work with other Sussex County legislators to make some much-needed changes to the county, including better services for seniors, improvements in education and creating jobs.

Hovington is a member of the 37th Representative District Democratic committee and Lower Sussex County NAACP President.

In March 2011, Ellendale Community Civic Improvement Associated honored Hovington for her community service work with children.  Hovington and her husband, the Rev. Ron Hovington, have served as foster parents for more than 20 years.

“Her life is built around helping people,” Schwartzkopf said.  “And that’s what this job’s all about.”

To kick off her campaign fund, Hovington was presented with a $600 check from Friends of Jane Hovington.

To contribute to Hovington’s campaign, call 302-856-6534.

Booth, who announced his own campaign for reelection June 29, was voted into the office in 2009 during a special election.  After being elected, Booth announced he accepted a job with the state at Sussex Technical High School.

Booth will face fellow Republican Eric Bodenweiser in a September primary election. Bodenweiser says if voters had known Booth took a state job before the election, many may have voted differently.

The deadline to file for statewide office is Tuesday, July 10.