Jones-Potter to Run For State Treasurer

Filed in National by on October 28, 2009

State Treasurer Velda Jones-Potter, appointed by Gov. Jack Markell, has thrown her hat into the race for State Treasurer reports The Dover Post.

Next year Jones-Potter will face off against one other Democrat, Wilmington corporate lawyer Chip Flowers, in a primary election. The victor most likely will be pitted against Kent County Republican Sen. Colin Bonini, the only member of the GOP in the race so far.

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  1. Delaware Dem says:

    I knew it. Good for her.

  2. MJ says:

    Chip Flowers has been totally uninspiring both times I’ve met him. Would like to know more about Jones-Potter before making a decision, though.

  3. liberalgeek says:

    I like Chip. I wonder if he will stick with it or look for something else.

    Personally, I want him to run against Cathcart.

  4. JoeySixPack says:

    This is great news. Bonini is a do-nothing and will get little support. Most republicans I know don’t even like the guy. Velda is sharp, and what a resume. I heard Gov Markell singing her praises at the Sussex Jamboree, and it was clear there that she was working the place like she was running. I’ve met Chip once before, and he seemed ok, but I don’t get why he would try to primary a sitting Treasurer. He should look to something else. A strong female on our statewide ballot is great! And the fact that she’s the first African American statewide office holder makes it even better. Go Velda!

  5. RSmitty says:

    Personally, I want him to run against…
    I can’t allow that. 😉
    Of course, you were probably wondering what took me so long to reply.

  6. lizard says:

    I thought the buz was that she was apointed as a place holder and promised not to run??? what changed?

    this is an inside baseball question and not a criticism of VJP who looks lovely in the photo you posted.

    I congratulate her on being the second african american woman to run for that office.

  7. John Manifold says:

    Again, the State Treasurer is overqualified for the position. MBA’s Markell and Carper, CPA Rzewnicki, bank directors Jornlin and Womack. Remarkable, since the duties of the position were reduced when the Cabinet system began in ’71, when this array began.

    Bonini seems to realize he has regional, partisan, aesthetic and now substantive disadvantages. If he really runs, he’d be taking one for the team.

    Problem: McDowell is past his sell-by date, but VJP’s husband would create many issues, some of his own making, if he’s the one to primary him. http://www.delawaregrapevine.com/10-09treasurer.asp

  8. anon says:

    No matter what you think of Ceila Cohen, this line is classic:

    Colin Bonini is the human teabag …

  9. Good ,Bonini is no worry. I like your attitude.

  10. Potter is definately running against McDowell.

    I saw that wRong Williams put Velda out in the rain on Sunday by exposing that she put out full page full color ads for herself without acknowledging who paid for them. She was forced to announce herself as in the running the next day to the Dover Post (or at least it had that appearance to me).

    I would say that was amateur but her boy wonder deputy Nick Adams ran Nancy Wagner’s campaigns right out of high school (his dad was her boss). Is Nick giving Velda campaigning hints? She might beware his GOP loyalties.

  11. John says:

    Saw Flowers speak last week downstate, they were freaking ready to elect him Treasurer or anything else he wanted. I must admit – the guy is impressive and knows his issues. We tried to knock him off his game, but he was calm. My prediction – he beats her by a few points. I don’t think VJPs glamour photo is helping her image.

  12. John Manifold says:

    Doubt that Flowers takes on VJP. He would get killed in the City, where the Potter name has traction and certainly among women.

  13. John says:

    Are you kidding, Potter has an awful name in the city…. Flowers was actually asked about that and he stated that he has a major finance committee and some key city supporters (mostly, those opposed to husband Potter, many unions and those against Dennis Williams for mayor). Some woman joked that he should use his picture in his ads and he said all in due time. I just looked up his bio – Harvard, Georgetown law and mba and Penn economics. This guy is overqualified not Velda. I’m telling you, this guy is the real deal… I tried to not like him, but he got my support in the end.

  14. Deldemforever says:

    new to this website. Saw Chip today in Kent and I agree with John, he is really nice and down to earth (a little bit of a nerd). In fact I found this site because I wanted to find more info about him and I was web searching. Good convo on this election! I talked to a few party people after the event and some people didn’t know Ms. Potter. I think he has name recognition from tv. When he walked in the room most us knew him. Should be a good race.

  15. jason330 says:

    I can see that the Flowers v. VJP race is going to be interesting. All I know about Flowers is that he provided the center right commentary on Nancy Karibjellybean’s TV show once in a while. That kind of disqualifies him for me.

  16. I have to say that I also met Mr. Flowers in person and was quite impressed

  17. CarieAnn says:

    John just told me about this site. Great site! this is too funny, we must all be Flowers groupies, because I saw speech attended by others in Cool Springs. Wow. He’s Delaware’s Obama. I think what I like about him was his ability to connect with everyone. He has a crazy memory, at the end of the speech, he remembered ever question asked by every person and summarized each point to the person who asked the question without any notes! Insane! I look forward to chatting on this site. Gotta go trick or treating with the little ones!

  18. nemski says:

    Enough John, enough.

  19. jason330 says:

    LOL -> “He’s Delaware’s Obama”

  20. John Manifold says:

    Flowers attended a summer school program at Harvard, the same one that Kermit Justice attended.

    The Potter family is numerous in Wilmington, where Flowers is regarded as a tourist.

    Markell appointed VJP, the state committee will endorse her and the city committee will be very active for her.

  21. jason330 says:

    Thanks Mike. Did I say “center right?” I meant crazy right.

  22. Chip Flowers is someone that I respect because he makes some sense. I hope that doesn’t disqualify him in the Democrat Party. He is not right let alone center right. He is center left, but not crazy left. He provided the Democrat side and Denny Rochford did the Republican side. Come on guys. As for that video, he was right. Markell did find that he had no money for most of his book.

    As for the title of it, that is crap. He did not call Markell’s plan Mien Kampf. He said that since Mein Kampf people pay attention to politicans books. He was mostly positive about the book. I personally hope he doesn’t run for treasurer. He is too attractive of a candidate. No matter who runs, Colin will beat them. He will win 70% of some of the districts in Kent and Western Sussex and pull 40 to 42% in New Castle. He will Brady and Wagner you guys.

  23. CarieAnn says:

    JManifold, you lost all credibility on this topic. Flowers received his masters of public administration from Harvard. It’s a 2 yr program, not summer school. It’s ok if you like Potter, but don’t spread lies. Shame on you.

  24. Fire Ant says:

    Chip Flowers is a very strange man. He wanted to run for many political offices but failed to put any of them in motion until the first female African American is on the job.
    If Mr. Flowers is not a GOP plant, he would do the honorable thing and not embarrass himself and maintain the respect he has as a thoughtful human being even though females
    control the vote especially in primaries. Mr. Flowers said he was running because he did not think Mrs. Potter was running that is not the case so will he do the right thing?

    For those that think that the Potters can’t have separate careers in politics are mistaken.
    It’s ok for the Biden’s but it’s not ok for the Potters? Let’s cut to the chase. There is no conflict of interest between the two offices of state Treasurer and state senator. Both are qualified with a deep reservoir of experience. Both campaigns will be separate so what’s the problem? Let’s judge them on their merits like the voters will do.

  25. nemski says:

    BTW, this sniping among Democrats about Flowers and Jones-Potter is freaking stupid.

  26. Deldemforever says:

    Fire Ant, your posting about Chip was just simply rude and borders on reverse racism and gender discrimination. So, I should support Velda just because she is an African-American woman. You sound like you either are Potter or someone working for her or her husband. Why would you say such things? Velda was appointed and no race or person should be crowned for a seat. This is why people are tired of Wilmington politics. When Flowers was given an opportunity to blast Velda for changing her mind during his speech, he didn’t call her a strange woman. Rather, he said that she deserves a chance. Whoever you are, Flowers is a class act and you need to stop asserting that just because Velda is a female that she will get the female vote. You must have the logic of John McCain who appointed Palin – we all know how that turned out!

  27. WeThePeopleDE says:

    Fire Ant, what exactly is the right thing? Velda publicly stated that she was not seeking the office once her appointed term concluded. Mr. Flowers announced his candidacy several months ago, so why is she just now announcing? Her indecisiveness is indicative of her lack of political and leadership skills. Speaking as one of the females who “control the vote”, Velda will not be receiving my vote come primary time.

  28. jason330 says:

    Nemski, Yeah. Also – David is right about his endorsement disqualifying Flowers.

  29. Deldemforever says:

    Yes, let’s all just get along. This election will be close and whoever wins will need our support to defeat Bonini. That’s what matters.

  30. Ukiddingme says:

    Did someone actually compare the Potters to the Bidens? The only thing they have in common is that they both live in Wilmington. Crazy. I needed that laugh.

  31. This thread is turning into the kind of thing I really miss about blogging. All the anony commenters coming on to spread their filth about local candidates they either love or loathe. Great stuff!

  32. John Manifold says:

    CarieAnn – Thanks. I stand corrected.

    There remain a dozen or so practical reasons why Flowers now has little chance of being nominated as State Treasurer. More may emerge.

  33. lizard says:

    so “VJP is a placeholder” has officialy gone down the DL memory hole.