I have proudly served as the state representative for the 14th District since its creation in 2002, and l truly appreciate all of the support I have received over the last 22 years. I loved being your state representative; we have done some really good things for our district and our state, and I care deeply about which candidate is elected to succeed me. Initially, I had planned to endorse a candidate and then remain neutral without getting involved in the election drama. However, recent events have compelled me to speak out.
Several weeks ago, a paid advertisement appeared in the Cape Gazette and Camp Letters praising my service and suggesting Claire Snyder-Hall as the ideal successor. While this seemed like a gesture of appreciation, it was not. It is a political tactic used to mislead the voters and to try to gain support from voters who have supported me for years. Despite finding the advertisement misleading and somewhat unethical, I chose not to react, hoping it was an isolated incident. Unfortunately, it was not.
More recently, Claire posted a years-old picture of us together on social media under the guise of congratulating me on my retirement. Many people who saw the advertisement and the picture on social media have contacted me, claiming that Claire was misleading the public and giving the false impression that I was supporting her in the primary election. And now, I have been stopped by many while out and about, claiming that Claire has been insinuating my support in her conversations with Democratic primary voters. I find that behavior very disingenuous.
I need to set the record straight. I do not support Claire Snyder-Hall in this primary election. Truth is that she and I are not friends at all. She has spent the last few years criticizing me and questioning my motives in just about everything I did. If you don’t believe me, check out her book and you’ll get a better impression of what she thinks of me. I don’t think the voters of the 14th District want to elect someone who misleads them to get their vote.
So let me be perfectly clear. I support and have endorsed Kathy McGuiness to fill my seat when I retire Nov. 5. Kathy was born and raised here in the 14th District. She knows the district. She knows the people and she knows the issues of the 14th District. She has a lifetime of volunteerism and public service, having served 16 years as a Rehoboth Beach commissioner. Her constituent service during that time was outstanding, and she has the drive and desire to bring her proven record of constituent service to the residents of the 14th District.
If you are a registered Democrat, please join me on primary day Tuesday, Sept. 10, in voting for Kathy McGuiness.
Thank you. It would mean a lot to me, and I would feel very comfortable with Kathy succeeding me as the next state representative for the 14th District.
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