Republican Michele Rollins runs for Congress; Cullis bows out

Multimillionaire attorney Michele Rollins is running for Delaware’s sole congressional seat, injecting renewed Republican enthusiasm into the race.

The GOP candidate, who filed her candidacy Wednesday, April 7, will likely face off against former Lt. Gov. Democrat John Carney.

Nine-term Republican representative Mike Castle announced last year he’s seeking the Senate seat formerly held by Vice President Joe Biden. Castle’s Senate bid created an open House race where a handful of Republican candidates are seeking their party’s nomination.

Rollins, 65, of Greenville, is the wife of the late John Rollins Sr., a financial force behind Dover Downs and founder of Rollins Trucking.

Rollins said she would focus on economic recovery and bringing jobs to Delaware, calling the Democratic-led healthcare reform the last straw that pushed her into the congressional race. “While the Democrats in Congress spent months pushing through their healthcare bill, the number one problem in the country, and here in Delaware – the lack of good jobs – was relegated to the back burner,” she said.

At a March 22 Lincoln Day Dinner in Rehoboth, Rollins said, “I woke up with the dread that I can throw my shoe at the TV, but Nancy Pelosi will not go away,” referring to the speaker of the house, who lined up the Democratic votes to pass healthcare reform. Before the measure passed and before Rollins filed to run, she said it was very important to reverse, turnaround and repeal healthcare reform. She said she would turn the House around, urging fellow Republican not to send a Democrat back to Washington, D.C.

“We are not little Europe; we are America, the land of opportunity,” she said.

Rollins’ announcement has already shifted Republican strategies. Candidate Fred Cullis has dropped out of the race for Congress, leaving Rehoboth Beach businessman Glen Urquhart and New Castle engineer Kevin Wade gunning for the GOP nod. Rose Izzo of Brandywine Hundred has also announced her bid for the seat.

Sussex County Republican Committee Chairman Ron Sams confirmed Cullis is withdrawing his bid for the congressional seat. “As I understand it, Fred is refocusing, dropping out of the U.S. congressional race. He’s going to enter the race against Blevins,” said Sams, referring to Sen. Patricia Blevins, D-Wilmington.

“I think that’s a good move for him. He’s just getting his start in politics, and it’s decreasing his circle to fewer voters,” he said.

Attempts to reach Cullis by press time were not successful.

In the meantime, Rollins has already come under fire from Democrats who criticized her for being out of touch with voters.

“Only Republicans would think that the poster child for all the anger and animosity that was rightfully directed at multimillionaire executives represents the kind of leadership Delaware needs in Congress. They’re wrong, and they shouldn’t be surprised when Michele Rollins’ candidacy is rejected in November,” said Shripal Shah, regional press secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Sams took the early Democratic attack in stride. “I’d say at this stage, it’s fluff. They’re looking for something to throw out. It’s as good a diversion as any at this time,” said Sams.

Sams said Rollins’ appeal to diverse downstate Republicans will give her a leg up in her quest to clinch the Republican nomination. He said west of Route 113, Republicans are conservative, while east of Route 113, recent transplants are more moderate.

He said in the Long Neck, Lewes and Rehoboth areas, many residents come from Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. “It’s almost like we have two different electorates,” he said. “When you look at the farming community, the building and real estate community, and retirees moving in, it’s a whole diverse community of 1,000 square miles,” he said.

Still, Democrats outnumber Republicans in Sussex and in Delaware. Likely opponent Carney said, “First of all, I welcome Michele to the race. I’ve been spending the last year listening to Delaware voters, and they said their top priority is creating jobs.”

He said voters don’t like the way the system is working in Washington, and business as usual has got to change.

Carney said if the race comes down to Rollins and himself, it will be a clear choice for voters. He said he looks forward to a vigorous campaign in the fall.

Sams said downstate, Rollins’ campaign looks strong.

“Michele is generally received well down here. She has great name recognition, and she’s been involved for a long time in party politics. It’ll be a close race at the convention,” he said.

The state’s 346 Republican voting delegates will gather in Rehoboth Beach Saturday, May 15, among them 83 from Sussex County. The convention will determine a Republican congressional nominee as well as other statewide candidates.

The Sussex County GOP will meet at 7:30 p.m., Monday, April 12, at the Sussex County Association of Realtors. Rollins and candidate Izzo, State Auditor Tom Wagner and candidate for the 36th Representative District Harvey Kenton will address members.