McGuiness has earned our vote

I believe that Kathy McGuiness, our current state auditor, deserves our vote in the upcoming state primary Tuesday, Sept. 13. Kathy has done what she promised to do. She reformed the virtually do-the-least-we-can office of the state auditor, which, under its previous leadership for 30 years, was virtually unknown to most Delawareans. Changing the status quo is never easy, but Kathy took on the challenge to make the office relevant and transparent to all. Despite resistance and resentment by some to the needed reforms, she met the challenge head-on with the same determination and conviction that I have admired in her for years. 

This contested primary race between our current State Auditor Kathy McGuiness and her challenger Lydia York will be very consequential in many ways. The issues, unfortunately, are complicated because more than a resume is at issue here. On paper, they are both qualified candidates. I have known and worked with Kathy for over a decade. I do not know Lydia York. Ms. York’s professional background is impressive, but so is Kathy’s. One thing I know for certain is that Kathy McGuiness gets things done! That’s why Kathy has received recognition from national organizations and her peers as one of the most effective state auditors in the country. Her model for tracking the use of federal pandemic funding, known as Gray Fox, gained national attention and was adopted by many states to enhance their own transparency.

Based on performance, Kathy McGuiness is clearly the candidate of choice. Unfortunately, the sideshow chaos created by Attorney General Kathy Jennings has complicated the choice for some – but it should not. I held senior-level positions in national, state and local campaigns as well as federal and state offices over the past 54 years and as a practicing attorney for 47 years. I witnessed some of the most egregious undermining, backstabbing and character attacks imaginable. I watched many pressers at which attorneys general announced indictments. Something troubling stood out to me about AG Jennings’ announcement of the indictments against Kathy McGuiness. AG Jennings was far too gleeful in making her announcement. Jennings and McGuiness were known to be potential rivals for governor in 2024. Were the indictments seen as a political win for Jennings? The indictments, however, did not hold up well. McGuiness was found innocent of the most serious charges and the status of the lesser misdemeanor charges is still uncertain.

Some elected officials rushed to oust McGuiness even before a trial began. I urge voters to be more discerning and objective. Question, among other things, the motivation for bringing the charges against McGuiness; why AG Jennings refused to provide legal counsel to enforce the right of the auditor’s office to audit Medicaid, forcing McGuiness to act pro se in the court proceeding; and, whether McGuiness rattled too many powerful cages – like pharmaceuticals? 

After careful consideration, I come to only one conclusion. McGuiness has the character, ethics and integrity to serve. The sideshow is not disqualifying. McGuiness not only deserves our vote Sept. 13 – she’s earned it!