Barbara Vaughan runs for 20th Rep. District
Story Location:
Milton, DE
United States
Lasting not much longer than five minutes, Barbara Vaughan’s speech announcing her Democratic candidacy for the 20th Representative District was short and to the point.
Vaughan, addressing supporters July 5, from the shadow of the recently installed Milton town clock, said improving transportation infrastructure and finding good paying jobs were two of the most important problems facing eastern Sussex County. They’re connected, and there can’t be an improvement in one without the other, she said.
A Lewes resident, Vaughan, who served on town council from 2004 to 2012, said drugs are a problem in the district, and the answer is more treatment facilities and fewer jail cells.
She said the state needs to come up with programs allowing elderly people to stay in their homes as long as possible and reduce health-care costs.
Vaughan said the use of sound planning and land development policies are needed. She said she knows it’s a county issue, but with her connections and knowledge of the process she said, she has a chance to help.
As of July 6, Vaughan has no primary opponent, but on the Republican side, she’ll be facing off against Rep. Steve Smyk, who was first elected in 2012. He filed his re-election paperwork June 23.
Vaughan said she doesn’t have anything bad to say about Smyk. In fact, she said, she considers him a friend. She said she’s running because there are issues facing the district that need to be discussed. If she wins in the process, she said, so be it.
“I want this to be a civilized discussion,” she said.
Following the speech, Vaughan, 86, addressed her age as quickly as she addressed the district’s issues.
“It’s not a problem. I feel like I’m 64 years old,” she said with a dismissing wave of her hand.
The 20th Representative District includes all or part of Lewes, Milton, Broadkill Beach, Harbeson, Cool Spring and Angola.
The filing deadline to run for office in the statewide primary is noon, Tuesday, July 12. The deadline to register to vote is Saturday, Aug. 20.
