14th RD Democrats recommend endorsement of Paskins
The 14th Representative District Democratic Committee has announced its recommendation for an endorsement of Dana Paskins in her campaign for the Sussex County Council District 3 seat. The committee voted to support Paskins at its May 8 meeting, a move that will provide the Democratic candidate with funding, publicity and grassroots volunteers.
Paskins, a retired Air Force major raised in Sussex County, is running on a platform to address overdevelopment and a lack of affordable housing in the coastal communities. She has also called for preserving the environment and promoting smart growth to maintain the beauty of the area. District 3 extends from Slaughter Beach to Delaware Bay, and includes Lewes, Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach.
A product of Cape Henlopen public schools, Paskins earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Delaware State College (now University), a master of professional studies degree in paralegal studies from George Washington University and a graduate certificate in administration from Central Michigan University.
After serving for 30 years in the Air Force, Paskins moved back to Rehoboth in 2020, during the height of the COVID pandemic, to be closer to her family. She said she decided to run for county council after observing a lack of affordable housing despite the large amount of development in the area. “People should be able to live where they work and work where they live,” Paskins said. “But a lot of people can’t work here because they can’t afford to live here.”
Since retiring, Paskins has volunteered with an Air Force retiree activities office and served on the Cape Henlopen Senior Center board. Paskins currently serves on an advisory committee for the legal studies program at Delaware State University and an advisory board for the Bryan A. Stevenson School of Excellence. She is a member of the Sunshine Circle Club and the Sussex County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
Paskins is running for the seat currently held by Republican Mark Schaeffer. She has called attention to the lack of diversity on the council and council-appointed boards. If she were to win, Paskins would be the first African-American to serve on Sussex County Council.
In response to the committee’s action, Paskins said, “I appreciate the endorsement recommendation from the 14th RD Democrats. Sussex County has an opportunity to become the nation’s model for what a diverse, balanced and inclusive community should look like. This is what drives me to run for office.”
For more information about Paskins’ campaign, go to PaskinsForSussex.com.
