Three Dewey Beach commissioners file for re-election

Incumbent Dewey Beach Commissioners Elisabeth Gibbings, Paul Bauer and David Jasinski met at town hall July 18, to jointly file for re-election in this year’s municipal election, set for Saturday, Sept. 20.

The candidates said their choice to run together highlights their collaborative approach to politics and their commitment to having productive conversations, despite not always agreeing on issues.

“In today’s world of crazy politics, we have figured out how teamwork and prioritizing public safety are the most critical aspects of being commissioners,” said Bauer, who’s served on the council since 2017. “We look forward to continuing to move Dewey Beach forward in a positive manner.”

Gibbings and Jasinski echoed similar points.

Jasinski, who’s lived part time in Dewey Beach since 1998, has seen firsthand how the town has progressed from days past.

This growth, he said, has been especially fast over the past four years, for which he credits several factors, including the leadership from the town manager and police chief. Another element, he said, has been the current commissioners’ spirit of teamwork and cooperation.

“This results in us all focusing on the big picture and at times making compromises to keep various stakeholders happy,” he said. “It has transformed the town for the better, both in reputation and town services.” 

In a statement, the three commissioners cite a list of many of their accomplishments, including prioritizing and improving the town’s public-safety initiatives and police department; significantly and consistently improving the town’s general reputation, in turn improving housing values and landlord rental income, and benefiting the town’s businesses; helping to build a well-functioning, collaborative administrative staff; enabling town beautification projects to improve the town’s overall curb appeal; approving expanded outdoor dining; continuing to invest in stormwater infrastructure; raising the necessary funds to build a new police station, town hall and EMS facility without enacting a property tax on residents; and more.

Moving forward, the three, who each have unique backgrounds, want to continue fostering the town’s growth together. They plan to keep the greater good of Dewey at the heart of their discussions and decisions.

Goals include continuing to prioritize public-safety initiatives, sustaining the town budget with no property tax, growing and protecting property values, maintaining transparency in local government operations, continuing to support local businesses and residents, continuing partnerships with state and county government partners, enhancing community engagement and preserving the overall quality of life in Dewey Beach.

As of now, the three incumbents are running unopposed. The candidate filing and voter registration deadline is 5 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 21.

If no additional candidates file, no election will be held. The town has not held a municipal election since 2020, as Jasinski, Bauer and Gibbings ran unopposed for their two-year terms in 2021 and 2023, and Commissioner Gary Persinger and Mayor Bill Stevens ran unopposed in 2022 and 2024.

Election information can be found at townofdeweybeach.gov. Additional information about the incumbents can be found at townofdeweybeach.gov/departments/towncouncil.