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About three dozen people attended a candidate debate in Milford, sponsored by Delaware’s National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Moderator Jane Hovington told candidates not to be disheartened by the low numbers in the audience.
“These are key members of the community, who will carry your message to churches in the community,” she said.
Democrats and Republicans, in an attempt to win a gamut of elected slots from local row offices to congressional seats, had a few minutes to introduce themselves and answer questions.
On Thursday, Aug. 14, the Bethel A.M.E. community center in Milford was turned into a political convention for a few hours where more than 20 political hopefuls gathered.
Rose Bowe is an association member and a registered Republican. She lives in Ellendale.
“I’m here to ask the candidates about issue which affect us,” she said. “Do they support or oppose aggressive efforts to address homelessness? What are their plans for felony offenders to reintegrate themselves into society?” she asked.
Cecil Wilson, chapter first vice-president, is a Democrat from Dover who served as official timekeeper.
Audience members submitted questions to candidates regardless of their party affiliation or the office they seek.
No gubernatorial candidates were present, but Mike Cavanaugh, a New Castle transplant, who lives in Milford, came to question those who did. He said, “Sussex County needs good-paying jobs. People can’t exist on these wages. They can’t support a family.” A Democrat and Irish-Catholic, Cavanaugh said he supports Lt. Gov. John Carney for governor. “I have a sense that John understands what it takes for a family of nine to live,” he said. Cavanaugh also comes from a nine-member family, he said.
Hovington, who moderated the forum, asked two local officials what they would do to curtail urban sprawl to restore the historic African-American communities.
Sen. Gary Simpson, R-Milford, who is running for re-election in the 18th Senatorial District, said he supports a land-trust model to preserve property.
Simpson is running against Gary Downes, who did not attend the forum. Simpson said he has experience helping residents keep their homes in West Rehoboth – where many face pressure to sell because of escalating property values. Rep. Joe Booth, R-Georgetown, is running against Democrat Helen Truitt. Truitt was also absent from the forum. Booth said he would create a historic district zone with state oversight. He also encouraged attendees to attend public hearings and get involved.
Hovington asked Republican Christine O’Donnell, running against incumbent Sen. Joe Biden, a Democrat, what she would do to get people from welfare to jobs. O’Donnell stressed the government has policies in place that provide incentives not to work. “Government shouldn’t reward behavior not to be productive,” she said.
Lewes resident Mike Miller, running for U.S. Congress, said, “I take exception to that.” He said many welfare recipients are less fortunate and he suggested a three- to six-month back-to-work training program, including low-interest loans to help purchase cars. Hovington, a registered Democrat, said after the meeting she favors Carney. She said he was approachable and forthcoming. “He has talked to me. We spoke face to face. He took the time to hear what I had to say,” she said, referring to problems with education and health insurance in the African-American community.
Manuel Davis of the Lewes area is an Independent. Even though the primaries are only a few weeks away, he remains undecided. He said he is not leaning Republican, but he’s not sure which Democrat he would vote for either. “I just don’t know. I have to see more of what they have to say,” he said.
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