Who is going to primary John Carney?

Filed in National by on October 8, 2018

At this point, with the Democratic Party in a state of flux as new members rush into replace a moribund old guard, it is a given that Carney is going to face a primary. He looks weak, and he hasn’t won any dedicated supporters from within the party to forestall an insider’s attempt. And he sure as hell hasn’t impressed anyone outside of the party. So who will it be?

From the right: Pete Schwartzkopf (sp?) is probably the leading candidate. Although it is not likely as Pete is getting everything he wants from Carney, so why bother? Wilmington Mayor Michael Purzycki should also be considered a possible primary challenger as it is often better to move on to another office before people figure out that you don’t have an real accomplishments in your current office.

From the center: As we’ve written here many times, Bethany Hall Long is not lacking in ambition, but a primary is not in her skill set. Stephanie Hansen seems much more likely to comprehend the opportunity Carney’s lethargic leadership affords an energetic candidate. Particularly if 2020 continues to be the “year of the woman” which it very likely will be with Trump running for re-election.

From the Left: Matt Denn? That would be something. I’d sign up for that one. Eugene Young, him too. From “outside” the party, Kerri Harris? Lord knows Carney is no Carper, and she seems to be keeping her campaign peeps close.

These are just a few names off the top of my head. I’m sure I’m forgetting a host of worthy potential candidates. Let me know in the comments.

About the Author ()

Jason330 is a deep cover double agent working for the GOP. Don't tell anybody.

Comments (39)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. bamboozer says:

    Other than Schwartzkopf I’d vote for all of them, I’d be thrilled to see a woman as governor. Carney is a bad joke as governor just like he was a non entity in congress, really hope it happens, we need this. If for no other reason than to scare the rest of the corporatists in the party.

  2. SussexWatcher says:

    Why would Schwartzkopf, Purzycki, Hansen or Hall-Long primary the sitting governor of their party?

    If they win, they’ve just split the establishment wing of the party in time for Simpler to rally what’s left of the GOP. If they lose, they’re out of office and an instant political pariah.

    Carney hasn’t gained any friends. He’s a lackluster seat-filler with zero charisma. But he hasn’t screwed up too badly, either. It will take a scandal of significance to dislodge him.

    Is this 4/1?

    • jason330 says:

      You are right about Schwartzkopf, Purzycki, & Hall-Long. VERY unlikely. But I wanted a “right, center, left” format.

      I’d put Hansen in a slightly different category. “For the good of the party and state I have decided that I must take action.” Kind of a thing.

  3. ben says:

    When I met Senator Hansen when she campaigned 2 years ago, I would have said she was a likely choice… seeing her time so far? Not so much. She whiffed on a chance to fight for more education funding and was no help int he fight for legal cannabis. She’s a Delaware way all the way.

    • jason330 says:

      “When I met Senator Hansen when she campaigned 2 years ago, I would have said she was a likely choice…”

      I’m sure she remebers what she was like 2 years ago. “As a state Senator I saw first hand that what is really required to effect change is leadership. While I like John Carney and respect him in some ways, for the good of the party and state I have decided that I must take action. “

    • Rufus Y. Kneedog says:

      I thought she whiffed on the Coastal Zone Act amendment too. But maybe the train had already left the station and she didn’t want to lie down on the tracks.

  4. jason330 says:

    Let me be clear though. I’m not here being a booster for Hansen. I’m saying politics, on some level, is about timing. (think Carper when he moved against his good friend Bill Roth.)

    Good politiicans sense the moment. I don’t know if Hansen falls into that category or not.

  5. puck says:

    Carney doesn’t trigger women voters, so he’s probably safe from a primary.

  6. mouse says:

    He’s a great man who has figured out how to collect multiple government pensions. The following is a list of things he has done for the average people of Delaware:

  7. donviti says:

    Please for the love of god don’t go searching for a female candidate, we’d end up getting some brand of Susan Collins and a throwback to Geraldine Ferraro. God almighty helps us all. We already have the male version of the two of them running this fucking state now.
    Matt Denn would morph into Chris Coons faster than Chris Coons has morphed into, whatever the hell it is he’s morphed himself into.

  8. Rufus Y. Kneedog says:

    John Kowalko?

    • mediawatch says:

      Kowalko would be fun … in a Bernie Sanders sort of way, but he doesn’t have a chance of winning.
      If you want to tap the legislative bench, why not Paul Baumbach — articulate, clear-thinking progressive.

      • RE Vanella says:

        Yeah, Kowalko is great because he, like yours truly, is hated by all the right people. I said he could run his Wilmington office out of my home if he ran for governor. Offer is still open.

        However, we have a few other plans in mind.

      • Nah, Baumbach is kind-of a liberal version of Coons. He COULD end up as Speaker some day b/c he doesn’t rock boats and doesn’t make enemies (I’d be totally fine with that), but he’s not running for governor.

  9. Scuttlebutt302 says:

    Seriously who writes this blog, and where do you get your information? The one Dem who is making noise about a primary is not even mentioned. Alternatively, maybe save the intra-party rumormongering and bomb-throwing until after the November election? You’ll need something to write about then.

  10. RE Vanella says:

    Wait, this was based on information?

  11. RE Vanella says:

    (Please note, this commenter, on this site, whose anonymous handle is synonymous with “Delaware Rumor”, complains in this space about Delaware rumors. Fantastic stuff. Free site too.)

  12. Peter Briccotto says:

    Only Park City would have the gumption to do it

  13. RE Vanella says:

    Bad take.

  14. RE Vanella says:

    Also. I’m done with the reply button. Fuck that function …

  15. Jason330 says:

    Me too. Screws up the flow.

  16. Scuttlebutt302 says:

    I have no problem with rumors. I love rumors. I love good rumors. I question the timing of these piss-poor rumors.

  17. RE Vanella says:

    Just under the masthead I propose a new motto.

    “Where It’s Always a Good Time For Piss-Poor Rumor”

  18. Scuttlebutt302 says:

    REV FTW

    That is all.

  19. jason330 says:

    So coy. This moop claims to have less than piss poor rumor, but ain’t talking.

  20. Canard302 says:

    Believe that rumor is Longhurst.

  21. Beach says:

    K
    H
    N
    !!!
    🙂