Smyk to run for new representative seat

Steve Smyk of Milton has announced plans to run for the Republican nomination for the newly created 20th District House seat.

Smyk, 46, said his campaign will focus on a variety of issues, from maximizing the efficiency of education dollars to cutting regulatory burdens. He has served as a member of Delaware State Police since 1988 and said public safety is among his chief concerns.

“Public safety has been my job for most of my adult life. Our communities are under attack, and we need to have the ability to protect and defend our homes, our lives and our freedoms. A strong presence of law enforcement in our communities and on our streets is key to protecting our way of life,” he said in a press release.

Other issues he will focus on include balancing the need to preserve and protect farmland and open spaces with private property rights. “Individuals are guaranteed certain freedoms related to the private ownership of property; however, there is also a need to ensure we maintain the blessings of life in Sussex County - open spaces, park land, trails, hunting land and farm fields,” he said.

Smyk also cites spearheading a renewable energy policy and promoting efforts to maintain open, transparent and representative government as goals of his campaign. “We must conduct the people’s business in the open, answerable for our actions and decisions, and providing timely access to government records to all our citizens,” he said.

Smyk grew up in Sussex County and attended public schools. He served for seven years in the Delaware Army National Guard before joining the state police and has held leadership positions in both agencies. He also serves as president of the Delaware State Troopers Association.

"I can’t wait to begin the campaign in earnest, meeting residents of the new 20th District and hearing what is important to the people I hope to be privileged to serve,” Smyk said.