Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/92845
Education Voter Guide 2012 Meeting our standards Presented here are the candidates that local Interview Teams and your DSEA Executive Board are recommending to you as you consider your vote for state senators (pages 12-13) and representa- tives (pages 14-16) on November 6. What factors determine a recommendation? For incumbents, we look at their votes on public education and labor issues; their work in key legislative committees affecting students, pub- lic education, and labor rights; whether or not they sponsored DSEA-backed bills and amend- ments to bills; and their work at home in the local community or school district to support our local associations. The DSEA Exec. Board gave the designation of "Friendly Incumbent" to legislators using a Legislative Performance Accountability System. These legis- lators were required to complete our questionnaire, but not required to be interviewed. For all other candidates, we look at their level of support for our legislative program, their elec- tability, and anything else that would indicate their understanding and support for public education, our members, their students and families, and the jobs they do. State Senate #1 - Harris McDowell (D) Brandywine, Red Clay, NCCVT Running against Robert Clark (Ind) and Brian Lintz (LIB) Friendly Incumbent McDowell #2 - Margaret Rose Henry (D) Brandywine, Colonial, Christina, NCCVT , Red Clay Unopposed Friendly Incumbent Henry #3 - Robert Marshall (D) Christina, NCCVT, Red Clay Unopposed Friendly Incumbent Marshall Blevins #5 - Cathy Cloutier (R) Brandywine, NCCVT Running against Chris Counihan (D) Friendly Incumbent Cloutier Sokola 12 October 2012 DSEA ACTION! www.dsea.org #8 - Dave Sokola (D) Christina, Red Clay, NCCVT Running against William Strinziner (R) Friendly Incumbent Katz #4 - Michael Katz (D) - Incumbent Brandywine, Christina, Red Clay, NCCVT Running against Greg Lavelle (R) and Marcia Groff (LIB) • Brings a strong work ethic, open mind, and balanced approach to education issues as a member of the Senate Education Committee. • Supported the prioritization of public education in the state budget when the lingering recession caused many state-funded programs to be cut or eliminated. • Supports collective bargaining rights and other labor protections for Delaware's working families. #6 - No recommendation Cape Henlopen, Indian River, Sussex Tech Both of the major candidates for this open seat, Andy Staton (D) and Ernest Lopez (R), have strengths that would be benefi- cial to DSEA and its members. #7 - Patti Blevins (D) Christina, Red Clay, NCCVT Running against James Christina (LIB) Friendly Incumbent