Sam Wilson not refiling for Sussex council
The race for the Sussex County Council District 2 seat has become crowded.
Incumbent Republican Councilman Sam Wilson, 81, of Georgetown is stepping down after serving for 12 years; his term will expire Dec. 31.
His son, Robert Wilson of Georgetown, is joining two other Republicans vying for his seat.
Cindy Green and Lisa Hudson Briggs have also filed. Green, of Greenwood, is serving in her 10th year as Sussex County Register of Wills. Hudson Briggs, of Georgetown, a retired state employee who worked for the Department of Elections, ran unsuccessfully against Wilson in 2016.
Robert Wilson, who runs his own business, Gas Tech, served on the Indian River school board from 2006 to 2012.
Sam Wilson, who has lived on his family's farm on Wilson Road his entire life, has been a staunch supporter of property rights and has been critical of spending tax money on projects such as the marketing campaign to rename the county airport to Delaware Coastal Airport.
In 2016, he said he wanted to run for one more four-year term to complete some unfinished business.
The former council vice president has fought back after two health issues over the past seven years. In late 2013, he underwent open-heart surgery and then in October 2015 suffered a stroke.
“By not running, I think I have made Dan Kramer really happy,” he said with a smile.
Kramer, a Greenwood-area farmer, has been an outspoken critic of Wilson over the years.
District 2 includes northwestern and central Sussex County, including the communities and areas near Ellendale, Georgetown, Greenwood, Lincoln, Milford and Millsboro.
In District 3, incumbent Councilman Irwin “I.G.” Burton of Lewes will be in the Republican primary against former Smyrna Mayor Mark Schaeffer of Lewes. Burton was first elected in 2016 after serving for 11 years on Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission.
In District 1, Republican Council President Mike Vincent of Seaford is being challenged by Democrat Hunter Hastings of Seaford. Vincent has served for 12 years.
The primary is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 15, and the general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
