Election Guide: Two Sussex County Council seats up for grabs
Sussex County Council District 1
Michael Vincent, Republican
Age: 75
Hometown: Seaford
Family: I am married to Elaine and have a daughter Michelle Middleton who lives in
Richmond ,Va. I have three grandchildren Morgan , Zachery and Bailey.
Education: I graduated from Seaford High School and attended Spring Garden Automotive Institute in Philadelphia.
Relevant experience: I served on Seaford City Council for three years and have been serving on Sussex County Council for the last 12 years, and am the current president of council. Lifetime member of Seaford Volunteer Fire Department.
Top reason for running: I have served my community my entire adult life with the fire department. I
believe in giving back and serving. I see county council as a continuation of serving the community.
Hunter Hastings, Democrat
Age: 26
Hometown: Seaford
Family: Married with two corgis, a lion-head bunny and a quacker parrot.
Education: Bachelors in behavioral science from Wilmington University,
Relevant experience: Healthcare professional, private business consultant, served on nonprofit boards, worked to address the opioid epidemic with different coalitions and organizations, worked with different political organizations to achieve a common goal, and understand what it means to truly listen and respond without hesitation to the needs of my community.
Top reason for running: My reason for running is to provide real representation, bring new ideas and be an advocate for the next generation.
Sussex County Council District 3
Sussex County Council District 3
Mark G. Schaeffer Sr., Republican
Age: 61
Hometown: Lewes
Family: Wife Ruby Keeler Schaeffer, five children and 12 grandchildren.
Education: Delaware brokers license, graduate of University of Delaware specializing in land use, journeyman millwright and many other real estate and financial courses.
Relevant experience: I have devoted four decades to community service. I served as mayor of Smyrna and Little Creek and authored the first comprehensive plan in the state. I am a member or past member of several local organizations including St. Peter's Episcopal Church, West Rehoboth Community Land Trust board, Lightship Overfalls foundation, Delaware Maritime Hall of Fame, American Red Cross board, Delaware River and Bay authority commissioner, Mid-Atlantic Fishery's Council, Governors Council on Labor, Rail Task Force and am an emergency medical technician with the Lewes Fire Department.
Top reason for running: I won the Republican primary by providing solutions to fix our transportation problems and requiring developers to build roads and infrastructure before development occurs and not after. I will deliver solutions to prevent sprawl into our agricultural areas. I support our first responders. I support no tax increases and protecting our farmers and agricultural industry and protecting their Constitutional rights. I believe in service above self, and will work aggressively to protect our community and families.
Patricia (Patti) Drago, unaffiliated, write-in
Age: 67
Hometown: Lewes
Family: Married to Rich Weissmann, CPA and U.S.A.F. veteran with four stepchildren and five grandchildren.
Education: B.A., political science, State University of New York at Stony Brook; J.D., Brooklyn Law School, magna cum laude.
Relevant experience: Twenty-five years of proven business leadership experience managing projects, building consensus, solving complex problems, mediating disputes and managing complex financial transactions. Six years of local community experience, including work on transportation infrastructure, business operations, community resiliency, fundraising and communications.
Top reason for running: To give all district voters a better choice, a candidate with no conflicts of interest who will preserve our quality of life while managing growth responsibly.
