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With five weeks to go before the Sept. 9 primaries, few polls, if any, have been released that indicate a Democratic gubernatorial front-runner.
The race between Lt. Gov. John Carney and State Treasurer Jack Markell seems to be tight – and costly – after Markell raised a record-breaking $1 million dollars this year.
In 2004, Gov. Ruth Ann Minner raised more than $840,000 for her re-election campaign.
With a total of $2.5 million in campaign funds, Markell has twice that of his opponent, says communications director Joe Rogalsky.
At the end of 2007, Carney’s campaign had about $1.4 million in its war chest, said Scott McConnell, press secretary for Carney.
McConnell would not disclose total campaign funds to date, but he said he would by Tuesday, Aug. 12, when candidates are required to file a 30-day campaign fundraising and spending report.
“We’re meeting all our fundraising goals and we continue to have a great deal of support with Delaware voters,” said McConnell.
In Sussex County, five of eight Democratic committee districts have endorsed Carney, he added.
While Carney vows to use experience gained from serving under Minner, at the same time, he is calling for education and healthcare reforms.
A vote for State Treasurer Jack Markell, however, is a vote to completely overhaul the current administration.
University of Delaware political science professor Joseph Pika said he has not conducted any polls and doesn’t plan to until, perhaps, October.
Nor has the state’s Democratic Party, said communications director Joe Sheeran. He did not say if any polls were planned following the primaries.
In the meantime, Sen. Joe Biden and Sen. Tom Carper are not making public endorsements for either candidate.
One local Democrat, who said legislators and state agencies largely ignore Sussex County, said he may vote for Republican candidate Judge Bill Lee.
In Sussex County, there is no clear Democratic leading contestant.
Local legislators show support
Sen. George Bunting, D-Bethany Beach, first elected as a state representative in 1982, has served under five governors. He calls the race competitive and troubling.
“It’s tough. I work in the Senate with John, but Jack has some great ideas. While Bunting says either candidate would be a great leader, he leans toward Markell.
“The one thing I see is that Jack will bring change. We are so desperate for change. I respect John Carney very much but Jack seems to bring so desperately needed change to the state,” Bunting said.
Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, is an ardent Markell supporter. He, too, said change is necessary. So is reigning in fiscal overspending. “Jack has a better vision. He brings an outsider view in government. We need a business perspective in government. We need a change and a break from what we’ve had,” Schwartzkopf said. “I’m tired as business as usual. A vote for Jack is a vote for change – to shake things up a bit,” he said.
County Democrats declare alliances
Outgoing Democratic Sussex County Councilmen Dale Dukes, Lynn Rogers and Finley Jones weighed in their candidates of choice.
Dukes said he would vote for Carney based on the lieutenant governor’s experience in office. “I think there’s a lot of talk, ‘Is John going to break away from Minney-Carney administration?’ That stigma seems to be following him. I think he will. He’s been told, ‘ You need to be your own person. You need to run as John Carney,’” said Dukes. “I think he’ll do that. Hopefully, he’ll make the grade.”
Rogers called both candidates good guys and said he’ll endorse whoever wins the primary.
Jones, however, hinted at splitting the ticket. “I know John very well. I know Jack very well. I know Bill Lee very well,” Jones said. He said he’s not happy with the current Democratic administration. He also said the state department of transportation and department of natural resources and environmental control ignore Sussex officials. “I really don’t think DelDOT and DNREC listen to Sussex County. Inland Bays pollution is a perfect example,” he said. Jones said he’s brought his concerns to both Democratic candidates. “Both of them know how I feel,” said Jones. Would Jones vote for a Republican? “It’s a possibility. I don’t think I’ve ever voted straight ticket. I have to protect my turf. I’m a homeboy. I’m still trying to figure it out,” Jones said.
Local mayors make endorsements
Displaying a Carney sign in his antique shop, Milton Mayor Don Post, said, “I think that he has the best ability for leadership that we need in there. Look what the counties are facing and what the towns are facing. He has background and experience to move the state forward,” said Post.
Markell’s progressive ideas are attractive to Lewes Mayor Jim Ford. “Jack brings a unique point of view. He has different proposals and laid out a plan with his book, ‘Building a better Delaware.’ He’s progressive as a state treasurer. He has the opportunity to address change in a positive manner,” said Ford.
With a Democrat in office, it’s a winning governorship for residents, says Ford. “I respect all the candidates for governor that are there. Delaware will be in good hands with them all.”
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