Let me preface this endorsement letter by indicating that I am a lifelong Democrat; worked for a Democrat member of the House of Representatives and Democrat senators when I worked on Capitol Hill from 1975-88. And I intend to vote for Joe Biden and the Democrat candidates for governor, lieutenant governor and senator in the upcoming November elections.
But these are times when we need to vote for political leaders who will vote to get things done, vote against their own party when the issue will help all citizens in their districts, and reach across the political aisle to forge bipartisan compromise legislation that will help all of us.
In my opinion, the candidate who is best equipped to this in Delaware’s 14th District is Republican Mike Simpler.
I got to know Mike while working pro bono to help the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company pursue congressional grant funding to help upgrade the Rehoboth Beach anchor fire station on Rehoboth Avenue in downtown Rehoboth Beach. He is a superb president of the RBVFC, a solid leader of the men and women who put their lives on the line to keep us all safe, and a person who is committed to getting things done. And he is new to the political arena, making him even more qualified to bring a clean slate to analyzing and voting for pragmatic solutions on matters of importance to the voters of the 14th District – regardless of party.
Mike Simpler has deep roots in the district. He’s a strong family man who cares deeply about families throughout Sussex County, and he’s a Delaware native who is committed to voting independently on all issues, in the tradition of former Republican Sen. Ernie Lopez and retiring Democrat Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf.
A lifelong resident of the district, Mike works at Beebe Healthcare, is a founding member of Rehoboth Beach Sportsplex, and has coached and served on the executive board of Rehoboth Beach Little League. And with his son Zachary, Simpler is involved with Special Olympics.
Most important, like most of us, Mike is tired of the partisan fights in Washington and Delaware that alienate the electorate and have blocked enactment of bipartisan legislation that can help the vast majority of citizens.
I cannot think of a better candidate, a better person to represent the 14th District in the state House than Mike Simpler, and I hope that he will have the opportunity to bring nonpartisan, independent leadership to Dover.
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