A deeper Election 2024 dive: Delaware governor
The first of what will be a series of several posts as we approach Election Day 2024, with Delaware's primary coming September 10.
Because there will be a contested primary for Governor this year from both parties, I decided to begin my series with this post. What follows will be a capsule of each campaign from information I have gleaned through the study of their social media, campaign websites, and biographical information where available. I’ll work through the Republican candidates first, then the Democrats. Because this is pre-primary, I may update this later after the primary if a minor-party candidate enters the race. (If none enter, I’ll still repost a condensed version with updated info.)
And, as always for my readers, most of whom live outside Delaware: consider this a template for covering your local and state races.
Republicans have a trio of aspirants, hoping to end an eight-election losing streak when it comes to being Delaware governor.
Jerry Price
Age at Election Day: unknown, but candidate appears to be late middle age.
Political/background: First political run. Retired NYPD officer, moved to Rehoboth Beach and was LEO there until he retired a second time for health reasons. Website.
Interestingly enough, his two key issues are insurance and nursing home debt. “I advocate for a system where your insurance is accepted based on your needs, with the only obligation being the co-pay amount,” says Price. He also believes there is a “fair system” to protect citizens’ well-being.
Naturally, crime is another big issue of his. While he advocates for “harsh punishment” for drug smugglers, he’s also in favor of expanding rehab programs. “Prison should not be the sole avenue for those seeking help; we must provide alternatives for individuals struggling with addiction.” He would also propose to add officers on the streets: “I aim to enhance the Neighborhood Stabilization Unit to create a safer environment, ensuring no one fears their own neighborhood.”
Regarding education, he would emphasize college and career readiness, with a focus on vocational programs and internships in various trades.
I support comprehensive education, emphasizing college and career readiness. By promoting vocational pathways and internship opportunities in various trades, we can provide our students with diverse options. “Invest in our students, and you invest in our community, as well as our future.”
“I stand for traditional values,” adds Price. “I firmly believe in recognizing only two genders and maintaining the integrity of women’s sports. I am committed to keeping small businesses open and resisting the push towards an exclusive reliance on electric cars.” He’s also against offshore wind, saying it’s not cost-effective.
Another somewhat odd pet issue for Price: “I will require Del Dot to use illuminating paint on all roadway lines. Whenever possible, construction will be done between the hours of 8PM and 4AM.”
A couple of worthy social media comments:
“The Republican Party is backing a person for governor who is not backing Trump. Very sad.” This regards the party’s endorsement of Mike Ramone, who is profiled next.
“Our mission is to create a better future for our nation and its citizens. We are driven by a shared vision of progress, equality, and prosperity for all.”
My thoughts: Price was the first one in the GOP race, and probably the reason state party Chair Julianne Murray thought about giving it another go. He just hasn’t seemed to develop much of a following or support despite his long period in the race.
Mike Ramone
Age at Election Day: 63.
Political/background: State Representative since 2008. Endorsed by Republican Party. Website.
Ramone’s primary focus is education, noting: “For too long, Dover has thrown money at the problems without addressing the root causes, forcing an undue burden on taxpayers, teachers, parents, and students.” But his answer is more of the same: “As Governor, Mike will fight to ensure teachers have the tools, resources, and classrooms necessary to provide a quality education.”
He’s also heavily into job creation, as Ramone’s duties outside the legislature include running several businesses, employing 200 people. Thus, he states, “As Governor, Mike will bring his Main Street experience to Dover and consolidate the state income tax, reduce burdensome regulations, and provide much needed relief to hardworking Delawareans.”
Ramone sums up the problems of the state thus: “The status quo in Delaware has been throwing more money at the problems instead of addressing their root causes. As Governor, Mike will promote good governance and responsible spending by holding lawmakers and government agencies accountable for their spending.”
Ramone would deal with crime with the “tools and resources” bromide for the state police, while placing more emphasis on rehabilitation.
For veterans, “Mike will work with legislators to join 39 other states and eliminate the state income tax on veterans benefits. He will expand access to critical mental health resources so the transition back into civilian life is as seamless as possible.”
Ramone also says that he is “committed to conserving the environment. He will work with leaders throughout the state to ensure that Delaware becomes a leader in free market investment and environmental research.” He would put an emphasis on solar and nuclear.
I found his approach to health care intriguing, as one who is more than a little round about the middle. Yes, he talks about ensuring we have access to “effective and efficient” healthcare, but then there’s this:
“We need to declare war on diabetes and the poor choices that lead to it and so many other bad outcomes. So, how does this work for diabetes care? As we live in a world driven by technology and advanced computer chips, technology is an answer. Companies exist to provide measuring and monitoring of baseline blood testing, glucose monitoring, body measuring, individualized diet and exercise plans based on lab testing, and comparative labs, all coordinated with a local health system and well-trained providers to move the needle on wellness. When better wellness is achieved and proactive measuring and monitoring are maintained, outcomes will improve, health will improve, and costs will be reduced.”
He would also invest in infrastructure, as most of his peers of both parties would.
Yet Mike has make some interesting statements on social media, including this upon hearing Joe Biden wouldn’t run again:
“For more than 50 years, President Biden has given Delaware a national voice and served our country with honor. Having know and worked with the Biden family for many years, I have witnessed firsthand his love for Delaware and his commitment to our nation. For his steadfast service to our state and country, and for his deeply felt love for the every man, we thank him.”
He also believed: “Government should make your life easier, not get in the way!… “As Americans, we believe every person has the right to a prosperous and fulfilling life. I will ensure that Delaware’s government protects these rights for all citizens.”
And when he says, “I plan to bring this history of successful bipartisanship to Delaware's failing schools and economy,” you can tell he takes this almost too seriously as he quotes a news story: “‘Delaware Stonewall Democrats celebrated a successful year at Legislative Hall and honored the state’s civil rights leaders...Sen. Peterson thanked Rep. Mike Ramone who also attended the July 20 gathering. Ramone and Sen. Cathy Cloutier were the only Republicans who voted in favor of marriage equality.’
Looking back on more than a decade of progress in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality. Thankful to have made a positive impact on Delaware's history!”
He believes he’s the “breath of fresh air” Delaware needs after 32 years of Democrat governors.
My thoughts: Ramone is trying to straddle a fine line by portraying himself as a centrist Republican - which he is, based on his legislative voting record. But the problem the GOP runs into by trying to be liberal-lite is that people can vote for the real thing. It’s a little bit like populism, where people believe that big government is just fine if only they can prune it a bit with “efficiency” and make it suit their ends.
Bobby Williamson
Age at Election Day: unknown, but I would guess mid-50s?
Political/background: Businessman making first run for elective office. Website.
He states, “Bobby Williamson is a businessman, not a career politician. He knows that the GOP establishment has become disconnected from the real people – the hard-working, tax-paying conservatives – of Delaware. Bobby will stand up for the common man and fight for everyone's constitutional rights.”
Strangely, while he rails against “current government mandates, he does note “there needs to be a reinstitution on regulations to the construction industry and small businesses being dismantled via the new policies formed by our current state government.”
Williams can be described as more of a traditionalist. Although his late entry in the race hasn’t allowed him to develop much of a platform, his way of thinking is more freedom-based:
“Bobby Williamson is asking to you, the taxpayers and free-thinking citizens of Delaware, for the honor and responsibility of representing you, allowing your voice to be heard, assisting in making the meaningful decisions, helping give you the power to:
1. be in charge of how YOU live
2. make the choices YOU need to make
3. teach the needed values to YOUR children
4. to choose YOUR lifestyle
5. to live YOUR constitutional happiness.”
He also talks this way on social media:
“Bill HB140 does not properly address end of life compassion, which should remain between the doctor, family, and hardworking heroes at hospice. It promotes an avenue for suicide to those going through a temporary hard time in their lives. A doctor’s oath is to help a patient’s health, not terminate them. This bill sounds like an overreach of our government, once again!” (It looked like HB140 was defeated in its first Senate vote 9-9, but was resurrected and passed its second vote 11-10 once all were present.)
“Together (with the Amish community) we will stand firm in defending all religious freedoms and the integrity of self-sufficient lifestyles.”
My thoughts: I wish Bobby had started earlier, since he faces the daunting learning curve of being a first-time statewide candidate without political experience. It’s doubtful he would have been endorsed once Ramone got involved, but would have been a bolder color candidate than the pastel Ramone.
As the GOP primary goes:
Who should win: Bobby Williamson.
Who will win: Mike Ramone.
As for the Democrats, they also have three running.
Bethany Hall-Long
Age at Election Day: 60.
Political/background: LG since 2017, previously State Senator 2008-16, State Rep 2002-08. Endorsed by the Democrat Party. Website.
Since Bethany doesn’t really go into issues on her website, here’s a sampling of what she’s said on social media:
Upon endorsement by (pro-abortion) Emily's List "Abortion is healthcare, and healthcare is a human right."
"I watched in horror as the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade."
She will create an LGBTQ+ Affairs Commission.
"As your next Governor, I will continue to support common-sense gun laws that put the safety of our families and children first."
Endorsed by DSEA: "I am committed to ensuring that every child in Delaware has access to a high-quality public education, regardless of their zip code."
We will continue (to) invest in our schools, and "guarantee free school meals, fix our school funding formula, raise teacher pay, and continue our historic investments in our schools and critical wraparound services."
"Universal childcare and birth to 5 early education."
"Union apprenticeships and career pathways will be a top priority in my administration."
"As Governor, I will fight for the people of Sussex County and work to bring more affordable housing, good-paying jobs, strengthen public education, and protect our beautiful environment in the county."
More recently, though, she’s been in trouble with BOE due to campaign finance irregularities.
My thoughts: This campaign finance issue has the potential to sink her campaign, as being LG is not automatically a direct stepping-stone to becoming governor. It hasn’t happened since 2001, when Ruth Ann Minner advanced. (Current Governor John Carney was Minner’s LG, but lost in the 2008 Democrat primary to Jack Markell. His LG, Matthew Denn, left to become Attorney General in 2014, leaving the seat vacant for two years.) Otherwise, she’s a standard-grade party apparatchik Democrat.
Matt Meyer
Age at Election Day: 53.
Political/background: New Castle County Executive since 2016. Website.
Unlike Hall-Long, Meyer is almost an embarrassment of riches as far as policy ideas go. It’s easier to just link to an 18-page education plan and 21-page “controlling the cost of living” plan than to summarize all those points.
But as far as education goes, and speaking as a former teacher, Meyer wants to rework the state’s “archaic” school funding plan (obviously to increase the money going to schools) as well as include impact fees for new development. Like most other Democrats, he also wants universal pre-K. But he also has interesting ideas in the hopper regarding a limited amount of parental rights and class credit for apprenticeships - it’s unfortunately lost amongst the jargon of increasing the number of teachers of color and funding “restorative justice” programs in school.
Regarding the cost of living, Meyer believes in, “tackling housing costs and availability, expanding health access, and attacking price-gouging by big corporations at a time when average families are feeling pinched.” He would put in a childcare tax credit and enact price gouging laws.
But he has an interesting approach to a gasoline tax rebate, indexing it to income and location based on distance from Wilmington. (My less well-off neighbors would clean up, being in the complete opposite corner of the state.) Meyer will also supposedly cut taxes for the poorer people in our state by soaking the rich with an even more progressive tax system.
Housing is also an issue for Matt. “I will address the regulatory barriers that keep housing prices high and create new programs to finance the construction of housing that meets the needs of our community.” (But I thought he was putting an impact fee on new development.)
“We created policies to reduce the cost of new housing, such as increasing Accessory Dwelling Units and reducing lot size regulations, encouraging the development of vacant or underutilized land in existing neighborhoods, and reimagining old spaces. Infill development is especially important for Delaware, where we value preserving our green spaces and farms. Through the Vacant Spaces to Livable Places initiative, we transformed over 600 vacant housing units into affordable housing.” In other words, he will have carrots and sticks for localities to conform with a state housing policy.
But this was interesting given what I do for a living: “Pursue building code reforms that can bring down the cost of housing without sacrificing safety. One example is the added costs of having two points of egress in apartment buildings. Single-stair buildings have lower costs, provide more access to light in the units, and have more family-friendly floor plans.” (And it’s true.)
Meyer wishes to provide seed funding for affordable housing, believing it can leverage private capital. He also advocates for tenant’s rights.
On health care: increase hospital and insurer competition, allow buy-in to state plan, eliminate medical debt, control drug prices. Enroll all eligible for CHIP/Medicaid.
There should be incentives and reimbursements for patient education about diet, not smoking, and controlling risk factors. We will be a national leader in value-based care, incentivizing our health systems to prevent Delawareans from illness and disease.
Of course, he wants to maintain Delaware’s membership in the Reproductive Freedom Alliance (basically consisting of all states with a Democrat governor), add a right to abortion to the state Constitution, and adopt Medicaid funding for abortion. But he also wants to open a medical school in Delaware.
As is often the case with Democrats, he is a “gun sense” candidate and advocate for additional LGBT+ rights.
My thoughts: While Matt is squarely in the liberal Democrat camp, it appears there are things our side could work with him on to mitigate the damage. (After all, he claims to want to “Make sure Kent and Sussex Counties have equitable seats at the table” and we are purple to almost ruby-red counties.) He does seem to understand the state’s role in government moreso than just leaning on Uncle Sugar Daddy. While he didn’t get the Democrat endorsement, he claims to be leading in the polls - understandable because 64% of state Democrats live in New Castle County.
Collin O’Mara
Age at Election Day: 44.
Political/background: Was DNREC secretary 2009-14, currently heads National Wildlife Federation since working at DNREC. Endorsed by the Working Families Party. Website.
As he says, “Collin's vision for Delaware centers on improving the Four E’s: the Economy, Education, Environment, and Equitable Access to Housing, Healthcare, and Public Safety.”
For the economy, he prescribes more usage of federal money, and growing Delaware through these sectors: “financial services, life sciences, sustainable chemistry, agriculture, and tourism/hospitality.” He also wants to do it with “100% clean energy” and “net-zero emissions.” (Sounds like environment to me.) He wants to “aggressively” remove pollution, introduce “green” hydrogen power, and invest in energy efficiency. He would redevelop brownfields to “attract clean manufacturing.”
On education, he would introduce universal pre-K, universal free breakfast and lunch for school kids, and “equitable” school funding formula with increased teacher pay. Also, invest in “wraparound services”, fix school physical plants, and “protect all students from any form of discrimination.” (well, except Christian students, I’m sure.)
To improve infrastructure, O’Mara would work for “multi-modal transportation systems”, clean energy, clean water, school upgrades, ports, and high-speed broadband (a broken promise), in “historically underserved” communities, with union-friendly PLAs. He would leverage federal funding, and “build an inclusive culture of entrepreneurship.” Support creation of black and brown-owned businesses.
For working families, the list of taxpayer-paid goodies: 25,000 subsidized housing units, Medicaid buy-in, update reimbursement rates for child care providers, refundable child care tax credit, EITC, and standard deduction for low-income families. Paid sick and safe leave. Index minimum wage. Delaware wouldn’t be a right-to-work state under O’Mara.
Collin is also a believer in adding several amendments to the Delaware Constitution, covering abortion, LBGT+ rights, early voting, “clean water, healthy air, and safe soils,” and eliminating cash bail.
My thoughts: Of the three Democrat candidates, Collin would be the furthest left (hence the WFP endorsement.) In essence, it would be a nightmare for this area as Dover hands down edict after regulation after unfunded mandate.
As the Democrat primary goes:
Who should win: Matt Meyer.
Who will win: Matt Meyer.
Next time will be the race for the U.S. House, which has a primary on both sides but may not be much of a contest.
Until my next election focus, remember you can Buy Me a Coffee since I have a page there.