Breaking Political News (As If You Needed More…)
Octogenarian Sen. Bob Venables (D-Mars) has sent a letter to his Senate colleagues announcing that he will seek reelection. This is the opposite of what he was telling his colleagues and constituents two years ago, when he said he’d run for one more two-year term.
Well, the good news is that he makes the 21st Senate District competitive. If he retired the district was an instant pickup for the GOP. With him running again, odds are he will keep the seat (though the elections are getting closer and closer and sooner or later Venables will be Roth-ed).
“sooner or later Venables will be Roth-ed”
By whom? Once upon a time I would have guessed Vance Phillips.
While you can imagine how happy I must be that an incumbent Democrat(ic) state senator chooses to seek re-election, I would dispute the 21st senate seat being an “instant pick-up for the GOP”. The district is certainly more Republican leaning than all but maybe one other senate districts in Sussex and the rest of the state, but Democrats do carry it. In 2012 all statewide Democrats but one carried the 21st. Senator Venables received 55% himself, but even openly gay John Brady carried the district on his way to being elected Sussex County Clerk of the Peace.
As to a 2014 race if Senator Venables decided not to bless us with his decision, the Democratic Party had an extremely well-qualified candidate in the wings. That person is well-known, respected, a native of the county, and moderate ( if not rabid right wing) enough to win. Additionally, The Republicans faced a bruising primary between at least two strong Republicans. I looked forward to the contest for the open seat.
Sussex Democrats will now have to direct more attention in that part of the county to electing a qualified Sheriff, defearing Vance Phillips and taking back County Council, and returning the country to majority Democratic rule.
I love your style Mitch.
Style??? What can you possibly mean Jason? I am only doing what a Democrat(ic) County Chair is supposed to be doing. And in re-reading my post, to see what Jason could possibly have misinterpreted, I must state that what appears to be a typo is actually my subconscious- meaning to write “defearing” in reference to beating a Republican who wans to represent the 5th ( council district) by “taking the 5th”.
“I am only doing what a Democrat(ic) County Chair is supposed to be doing. ”
Exactly.
My comment is utterly guileless.
I’m also a big fan of the new Sussex County leadership! Keep up the good work, Mitch!
Keep up the good work – Mitch – I find your communication style refreshing.