Briggs King, calling herself a Georgetown farmer’s daughter, charged a vote for Robinson would ensure Democratic domination in the House of Representatives. She said Robinson, if elected, would become the 25th Democrat in the House, creating a supermajority in a state led by Democratic Gov. Jack Markell and a Democratic Senate. Briggs King also says a three-fifths Democratic majority means Democrats could raise taxes and fees without Republican votes.

Robinson sternly denied those charges. He said the assumption that he would vote strict party lines is untrue, and that was something he made clear with Democratic leadership after he was nominated to run. Instead, he pledged to represent the interests of all voters in his constituency.

Robinson then pointed out that Briggs King is a registered lobbyist for the real estate industry. As a lobbyist, he said she would not make an objective leader for Lewes and Georgetown residents.

At the outset of the debate, Briggs King said, “Several people have referred to me as a lobbyist because I have been an advocate.” As Sussex County Association of Realtors executive vice president, Briggs King said she regularly meets with Dover lawmakers, but she does so as a concerned citizen and volunteer.

Later in the debate, she was forced to clarify her role. In an attempt to “clear the air,” Briggs King said she is a lobbyist, but “I am not the official lobbyist for the Realtors’ association.”

Roughly 150 Cape Region residents gathered Friday, Aug. 28, at the Lewes Presbyterian Church to hear the two candidates square off in a debate hosted by the Lewes Homeowners Association.

Voters in the 37th District are preparing to elect a new state representative Saturday, Sept. 12, after former Republican Rep. Joe Booth was elected to the 19th Senatorial District seat last month. That election took place following the death of Sen. Thurman Adams, the state’s longest-serving senator.

Briggs King, 53, and Robinson, 37, agree on many issues. The candidates differ, however, when it comes to a controversial proposal to allow a new racino to be built in Sussex County.

Last September, developers proposed to build Del Pointe Resort & Racino in Millsboro. Robinson, an assistant public defender, said he supports the creation of a new entertainment complex that would spur local job growth with trickle-down benefits. Briggs King, a former public school teacher who also specialized in human resources, said she supports bringing jobs to Sussex County, but Georgetown residents do not support expanded gambling. “I’m not ready to make a decision. I’m not ready to support it,” she said.

Both candidates say they will not raise taxes and both are wary of increasing the size of government, saying state fiscal responsibility is imperative. Both also say they want the House seat because of their dedication and history of community service.

Land use and development – a long-standing Cape Region concern – was raised at the debate.

Robinson said elected officials need to listen to the people of Lewes, charging Sussex County Council with ignoring residents’ concerns.

Briggs Kings said a better-coordinated, state-county-town relationship is necessary. Ultimately, however, she said local residents – not state bureaucrats – should be able to determine their own growth.

The state could save more money by consolidating school districts, suggested Robinson. “It’s clear a lot of school districts are top-heavy,” he said. Briggs King said redundant costs might be avoided if school districts used joint-purchasing agreements.

She also said there’s too much bureaucracy in education.

Robinson, an eight-year veteran of the Georgetown Planning Commission, said he’s worked on county ordinances and design standards to better control land and its use. Briggs King said she held a housing summit last year to get federal money for local homebuyers. She also said her work with the Neighborhood Stabilization Plan to stem foreclosures is one of her proudest land-use reform initiatives.

Both candidates were given the opportunity to summarize their qualifications. Robinson said Republicans are using the three-fifths Democratic majority as a threat to scare voters. He said Briggs King’s campaign literature also says he plans to change the state constitution. According to Speaker of the House Bob Gilligan, D-Sherwood Park, in order to do so, 28 House members need to vote on such a proposition – not the 25 Democrats that would emerge in the House should Robinson win the seat. Robinson said he would be available to constituents and their concerns, advocate for green energy and that he already has strong ties in Dover as a public defender and Georgetown planner. “I’m running to represent the people of the 37th District. I’m an independent thinker. That has always been clear to the party leadership,” he said.

Briggs King said she chose to register as a lobbyist because she was tired of showing her ID every time she visited Legislative Hall. She also said she has the integrity to disclose her status and that she, too, already has close ties with the General Assembly. She says she values tight fiscal responsibility, job growth and laissez-faire government.

“You need to know I would not be afraid of carrying a torch for you,” she said.