In the 41st Rep. District, it’s Collins v. Connor

The race for the 41st Representative District includes Republican incumbent Richard Collins and Democratic challenger Brad Connor. Collins has represented the district, which includes Millsboro, Dagsboro, Frankford and Selbyville, since 2014.

• Rich Collins •

Party: Republican

Age:

Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of Delaware

Occupation: Insurance agent

Residence: Millsboro

Family: Wife of 36 years, Susan, three children, five grandchildren

Relevant experience: 41st Representative District legislator since 2014. I ran a nonprofit organization that promoted private enterprise and entrepreneurship for 13 years, farmed 35 years, and have served in the insurance business for 37 years.

• Brad Connor •

Party: Democrat

Age: 56

Education: Indian River High School graduate, attended Salisbury University

Occupation: Small business owner

Residence: Dagsboro

Family: wife and two daughters

Relevant experience: Mayor of Dagsboro for 20 years; president of Sussex Association of Towns; vice president, Delaware League of Local Government; current president, Southern Sussex Rotary

• Do you ever see a time in the future when an increase to the gas tax would be an appropriate way to help pay for transportation infrastructure needs?

Rich Collins – Not in Delaware. Currently the state improperly spends approximately $230 million per year from the Transportation Trust Fund to pay for expenses that should be paid for out of the general fund budget. This has been going on since the 1990s, and the total amount improperly taken has been in the billions of dollars. If the incoming administration chooses to be honest with the taxpayers and corrects this situation, we will have more than enough money for roads.

Brad Connor – Lawmakers have a tough job ahead, and I am up for the challenge to work in a bipartisan manner to discover new revenue sources for Delaware. I have heard overwhelmingly throughout the 41st District that voters are not in favor of a gas tax. I will listen to and represent all the constituents in the district and take your ideas and thoughts to Dover to come up with a balanced approach for cuts and new revenue sources.

• Shellfish aquaculture continues to be delayed. Are you for or against it? Explain.

R.C. – I'm for it but the chosen locations must be in areas that don't ruin the Inland Bays for the use of residents, boaters and tourists. The bays are big enough, and portions remote enough, that I believe the needs of all parties can be met.

B.C. – Aquaculture is a win-win for our area, mostly because of the positive environmental impact on our Inland Bays. It was proposed and supported by both sides of the aisle, and from everything I have read, the Army Corps and DNREC are working toward placement of these beds in areas that won't interfere with recreational activities. I don't think anyone is against the program itself; there just needs to be a common-sense approach to the locations.

• How do you plan to increase medical services to the seniors who live in your district?

R.C. – As the Affordable Care Act has proven, government should only take over healthcare as a last resort. The ACA has increased costs, reduced choice and not solved the problem it was created to address. Despite too much government red tape, the response of private enterprise to growing demand is causing continuous improvements in healthcare in Sussex County. Hospitals have expanded their campuses, built satellite facilities, opened clinics and added services like heart surgery, cancer treatment and joint replacement.  At quarterly board meetings I attend, I hear plans for many more improvements.

B.C. – Medical services have to be expanded in our area. I hear it from our senior citizens, and I've heard it loud and clear from our volunteer services and first responders. I, and many others in the 41st District, see the need for a full-service hospital on the Route 113 corridor to alleviate transport time and assure timely and expanded medical services. I bring a wealth of experience to initiatives like this, and I look forward to the challenge of being on the ground floor of a project that would help so many in our community.