Rehoboth Beach will have two new commissioners
The deadline to file for Rehoboth Beach’s 2024 municipal election was 4:30 p.m., June 3, and while neither incumbent filed, five challengers will seek the two open seats.
The two commissioners up for re-election this year are Commissioner Toni Sharp and Commissioner Tim Bennett. The former is in the first term of her second run as a commissioner, while the latter is in his first term.
The five challengers vying for the two seats are Joseph Cardinale, Suzanne Goode, Rachel Macha, Mark Saunders and Craig Thier. Goode filed first, Thier second, Saunders third, Macha fourth and Cardinale fifth. No matter who is elected, it will be their first time serving as a Rehoboth commissioner. Goode ran for office in 2019. Macha ran for office in 2020 and 2021.
Goode, Thier and Saunders filed early enough in the call for candidates that they’ve been given the opportunity to express why they’re running for office. Macha filed the day of the deadline and could not be reached for comment. Cardinale also filed the day of the deadline and could not be reached for comment or provide a photo.
Bennett said previously he was weighing his options, but in an email June 2, he said he decided to not seek re-election.
He said his professional and work schedule has been increasingly in conflict with city meetings. Additionally, he said, the increasing number of executive session meetings in the past year has made it a challenge to properly balance work and board of commissioners obligations.
“I do not see either lessening in the coming months,” said Bennett.
He said he enjoyed his tenure and learned a lot about Rehoboth.
“It has been a privilege to serve the city and have the trust of the residents to continue to make Rehoboth Beach a great place to visit, work and call home,” said Bennett.
Sharp could not immediately be reached for comment.
This will be the first election in Rehoboth Beach since Bennett and Sharp were elected three years ago. It will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 10, in the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave.
See more in the Friday, June 7, issue of the Cape Gazette.
Important election information
To vote in Rehoboth Beach elections, voters must be at least 18; a city resident or freeholder for at least 30 days, or a 10-year leaseholder for at least six months; and registered in the city's Book of Registered Voters. The deadline to register to vote in this election is 4:30 p.m., Thursday, July 11.
Absentee ballots will be available beginning Wednesday, June 26, and will be mailed to all who have a request form on file. Absentee ballot request forms must be filed no later than noon, Friday, Aug. 9. Absentee ballots must be received via mail or in person before polls close on Election Day.
For more election information, contact the city’s election officials Donna Moore or Steven Perry by emailing elections@cityofrehoboth.com or calling 302-227-6181, Ext. 159.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to indicate that this is the full slate of candidates.
