Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/81698
Remember to vote September 11 Primary Elections where the action is this year If you are a registered Democrat or Republican in Delaware, we urge you to vote on September 11. If DSEA members turn out to vote, they can have a large impact on these critical elections. the General Election November 6 in several General Assembly races this year! You'll notice that five of DSEA's V recommended incumbents have risen to the status of "Friendly Incumbents." That means that they have passed a test that includes their voting record, their accessibility to DSEA leadership and members back home, their sponsorship of bills important to DSEA, and their work on the Education, Labor and/or JFC Committees. Incumbents that pass the Friendly Incumbent test are automatically recommended for re-election. The other Primary recommenda- tions resulted from our candidate interview process. Harris McDowell (D) Sen. #1 Friendly Incumbent Brandywine, Red Clay, New Castle County Vo-Tech Running in Democratic Primary against David Brady and Martin James Senate Chairman of the Joint Finance Committee and advocate for increased funding. Prime sponsor of the historic SEED scholarship program that provides free tuition at Del Tech before transfer to UD. Supports reform of current charter school law. oter turnout – normally low for primary elections – will determine who stands for Robert Marshall (D) Sen. #3 Friendly Incumbent Red Clay, Christina, NCC Vo-Tech Running in Democratic Primary against Eric Anderson and Timothy Meades, Sr. Longtime, staunch friend of labor and public education. Unabashed supporter of collective bargaining and other labor/civil rights. Also a strong supporter of nec- essary funding for public schools. Chairman of the Senate Labor Committee which considers and acts upon collective bargaining rights of public and private sector employees. Championed the five-year effort currently underway to provide sub- stantial pay raises for Instructional and Service Aides, even during these tough economic times. Championed the protection of the pension and health care bene- fits provided to public education and state employees. Charles Potter (D) House #1 Lead sponsor of the law, enacted in 2008, to enable unions represent- ing public education employees to enjoy the same contract arbitration rights as other Delaware public employees (e.g¸ city, county, state). Supports reform of current charter school law. Anthony DeLuca (D) Sen. #11 Friendly Incumbent Christina, NCC Vo-Tech Running in Democratic Primary against Brian Townsend Strongly supported the success- ful effort to enact landmark college scholarship programs (SEED and INSPIRE) to ensure that college opportunity could be realized by students who met basic academic requirements and stayed out of trouble. Consistent advocate of funding to increase pay for Instructional and Service Aides. Unabashed supporter of collec- tive bargaining and other labor/ civil rights. 12 September 2012 DSEA ACTION! www.dsea.org Brandywine, Red Clay, NCC Vo- Tech Running in Democratic Primary (for open seat previously held by Rep. Dennis P. Williams who is run- ning for Mayor of Wilmington) against Rourke Moore and Victoria Kent Wilmington City Councilman for the past 12 years. Believes that education is the great equalizer, speaking at civic organization meetings, schools, community centers, churches, and with other groups about the impor- tance of education. He has provided over 80 college scholarships, men- tors youth and helps them go to col- lege. He sponsors an annual com- munity day in Wilmington's First District. He regularly donates school supplies. He helped to bring a public library to 34th & Market Streets and a PAL Center to 37th & Market Streets. Staunch friend of public educa- tion and labor. Unabashed support- er of collective bargaining and other labor/civil rights. In the next issue of ACTION!, we will list all of the candidates that DSEA and its locals are recommending for the General Election November 6. As those recom- mendations are made, we will post them at www.dsea. org/ PoliticalAction/ StateElections.html. Stephanie Bolden (D) House #2 Friendly Incumbent Brandywine, Christina, Colonial, Red Clay, NCC Vo-Tech Running against Arthur Scott in the Democratic Primary Former member of the Christina Education Association. Works closely with DSEA to ensure that implementation of DPAS (Delaware Performance Evaluation System) is fair, and that DSEA's voice is heard clearly at each step of the way. Is concerned that charter schools side-step our commitment to public schools: "They fragment the community, rather than unify it. I believe that public education suc- ceeds when we work together." Longtime teacher with expertise in the field of urban education. Valued and influential member of the House Education Committee and the General Assembly's Children's Caucus. Staunch friend of public educa- tion and labor. Unabashed support- er of collective bargaining and other labor/civil rights. A forceful voice for the educa- tion of children from economically- challenged areas.