Phelps seeks 14th House District seat
Retired U.S. Army Special Forces Capt. Carl Phelps officially filed to run for the 14th House District seat June 8 at the Sussex County Department of Elections. Phelps, a Republican, will be running in November against Democrat Peter Schwartzkopf, who has held this seat since 2003.
When asked about his motivation to run, Phelps cited a need to better protect the interests of Sussex County residents and small businesses. “I have watched our area become subservient to Wilmington and New Castle County elitists,” he said. “And I am appalled by the one-party rule that is going on in Delaware. I decided it was time for someone to stand up for both home and business owners to make RD 14 the leading district in the state, not just a district in lower Delaware.”
Present at the filing were friends and family of the candidate, including his wife of 20 years, Esther, as well as leaders from the Sussex County GOP.
Marilyn Booker, Sussex County Republican Committee chair, was thrilled to see Phelps put his hat in the ring. “Carl has spent his entire career helping the people of this country and his local communities. He has served the nation in the armed forces, as a volunteer fireman, paramedic, umpire for local baseball leagues and referee of local football games. Now he wants to continue to serve the citizens of our state. He brings a wealth of experience to his campaign and will certainly be an asset in Dover.”
During his 25 years in the military, Phelps flew helicopters and taught emergency medicine in areas where there was no doctor. He also interned at the R. Adams Crowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland Hospital in Baltimore. After retirement, he joined the Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company as a firefighter and EMT while also working full time for the Veterans Administration as a program manager for its electronic health record system. Phelps and his wife moved to Lewes in 2014, where he immediately joined the Lewes Fire Department, of which he is still a member.
“I retired from my federal job at the Veterans Administration so I could challenge the status quo and become a voice for southern Delaware, and provide a set of fresh ideas to bring life back to our area,” Phelps said.
The 14th House District includes parts of Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Lewes and Henlopen Acres.
Editor’s note: This is a submitted press release.
