|
Retired Superior Court Judge Bill Lee said he will open campaign headquarters and a commission to gauge support and raise money in preparation for a Republican run for the governor’s office.
His decision to run comes after the statewide Republican Convention in Dewey Beach, when more than 80 percent of the delegates rallied behind him. On Saturday, May 3, they nominated Lee as the state’s Republican gubernatorial candidate.
Lee, who did not attend the state convention, was in Florida visiting family. He said the trip was planned for a long time and could not be missed.
“I’m tired from boot camp for grandfathers, that’s the name for Disney World. But, not all miracles happen at Disney World. I’m endorsed for governor. I’m excited about it,” he said.
Lee said he will decide if he will officially accept the nomination within weeks.
“We’re going to go forward to try to make a decision in the next few weeks, but we’re going forward as if the decision is ‘Yes,’” he said.
Lee, who had announced his bid for governor earlier in the year, bowed out of the race in March, saying he did not have enough money to run a strong campaign.
“Money is certainly one part of it, but it also means assembling a staff, headquarters and finding out about support,” he said.
In 2004, Lee narrowly lost to Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, garnering 46 percent of the vote. He cautioned his Democratic challengers that this year, he might have a leg up in the race when it comes to raising money.
“I don’t have the glow of the convention. I have the hard reality that we’re awful close to the election. We’re going to create a campaign commission to allow us to take contributions. Then we’ll see whether we get $10 or $10,000,” said Lee.
After a shaky year for Republicans, they say they finally have a winning – or at least – fighting Republican contender with Lee.
Mike Protack, who has been campaigning for over a year, garnered about 20 percent of the vote at the convention, while David Graham, an accountant from Kenton who announced his candidacy in March, was not nominated.
Support for Lee, 72, who lives in Rehoboth’s Bay Harbor development, couldn’t be missed.
From the entrance to Rehoboth Beach to Dewey’s Ruddertowne, wooden signs painted red, white and blue rose along Route 1 with messages such as, “Draft Bill Lee” and “We love Bill Lee.”
While Lee was absent from the convention, his son Brud was not. Nor was there a shortage of local support.
In Sussex County, all 79 delegates voted for Lee.
“They voted on a bloc. He’s the favorite son. They cast all their votes for Bill Lee,” said Cathy Murray, secretary of the state party.
On Friday, May 2, Graham said publicly Lee was an alcoholic. Speaking after the convention, he said, “I made a statement and now it’s up to Bill Lee to respond. I had decided by Sunday of the week before the convention, since I paid the filing fee, I was the only true candidate for governor. The way someone conducts their campaign for governor is an indicator of how they will carry out the duties of the office,” Graham said. Despite not being nominated, Graham said he still seeks the post.
When asked about Graham’s comment, Brud Lee said, “I think the vote total reflected on him more than my father. Graham was not nominated, nor seconded,” Brud said.
While reviewing recently tallied vote totals on paper, Murray pointed to Graham’s name. “Look. You don’t see any marks by his name. We don’t know what happened to him,” she said.
O’Donnell for Senate
In the U.S. Senate race, Christine O’Donnell, who opposes abortion rights and supports low taxes, referred to a sign outside in the parking lot, which read, “Sussex Supports O’Donnell.”
“I love the enthusiasm, the signs, the pom-poms – that’s the kind of enthusiasm it will take to unseat Biden,” she said. Tim Smith of Seaford, who was also running for the Senate seat, took the most votes among Sussex County delegates, beating O’Donnell, 44 – 35. Overall, O’Donnell prevailed. Her name will be on the ballot in November after she garnered almost 61 percent of the delegate vote statewide. Smith bowed out the race, eliminating the need for a primary.
In a vote only open to state committee members, Laird Stabler edged past Terry Strine – 40 to 35 – to become the next national committeeman. Strine, who has served as GOP state chairman for the past five years, also gave up the chairmanship to Wilmington-resident Tom Ross on Friday, May 2. Ross takes over Friday, May 9.
Sussex County Councilman Vance Phillips said Stabler’s late father was a longstanding Republican committeeman.
“Knowing that Laird Stabler is a tremendous individual with a great service of history to the party, I felt like anything was possible,” said Phillips.
Phillips will join Ron Sams, chairman of the Sussex GOP, when both local Republicans head to the Republican National Convention, Sept. 1-4 in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.
Unopposed Republicans
Rep. Mike Castle who, in 2006, was reelected to an eighth congressional term with 57 percent of the vote, is running unopposed for the September primary. Lieutenant governor candidate and current Senate Minority Leader Charles Copeland and Sussex County Recorder of Deeds and insurance commissioner hopeful John Brady, are also running unopposed in the primary. Brady, who was hospitalized Thursday, May 1, commented from Beebe Medical Center.
“It looks like we’ve come up with a pretty good ticket. I’m honored to run with Castle, O’Donnell, Lee and Copeland.
I believe the Republican ticket will offer real change in my race.
“In this little stay at Beebe, my doctors cleared me for a full campaign. I expect a strong and vigorous campaign this year,” said Brady.
President of the Eastern Sussex Republican Club Mary Spicer of Lewes was awarded the Peg Hood Volunteer of the Year award for her work in Sussex County and upstate. “The Peg Hood awards go to those who volunteer in the Republican headquarters for years and year and years. They’re truly never paid a dime,” said Murray.
Spicer and Suzanne Sams, wife of Sussex County GOP chair Ron Sams, were also selected as alternates to the national convention.
Republicans of the month were also selected for their volunteerism. Locally, Todd Mumford of Millsboro and Pat and Ted Russiano of Georgetown were awarded the titles.
Phillips called the weekend successful and said the Republican Party will bring badly needed fiscal conservatism – and energy –back to the state.
“I think it’s an extremely strong statewide ticket: Lee and Copeland. The ticket offers the statesmanship of Bill Lee and the energy and policy detail of Copeland. I believe O’Donnell’s candidacy for U.S. Senate could be one of the most exciting opportunities for Delaware voters in a generation. I believe John Brady’s capability as a public servant and campaigner is evident by his past five successful elections. Mike Castle is apparently the foundation experience and wisdom in the U.S. Congress,” said Phillips.
Contact Kevin Spence at k.spence@capegazette.com
|
