Lopez begins Senate re-election campaign

Acting responsibly, being responsive, acting with restraint and thinking with reason.

Those are the four simple tenants of effective leadership, said Ernie Lopez during his re-election announcement May 2. They also describe what he's tried to during his first two years in office representing the Cape Region in Dover, he said.

It’s about creating public policy not only for today, but for the future as well, said Lopez, an incumbent Republican from Lewes, in front of more than 200 supporters in Stango Park in Lewes.

Using the pent-up energy released during a beautiful spring evening after a rainy and windy week, Lopez said he wanted to continue to represent the Cape Region because he thinks he’s the person to be the lone senatorial voice through an exciting time – pointing out two new fire departments, a new elementary school, a new library and a new nursing school all either being built or slated to be.

“Two years ago we started something new, a new course for the Cape Region,” Lopez said.

Lopez said working in Dover is about being resolute in your convictions and being willing to compromise when needed, but not to a point where there’s a compromise on core values.

Lewes Mayor Jim Ford introduced Lopez. He said in the two years that Lopez has been in office, he’s put the need of the Cape Region before partisan politics.

He presents a concept of balance and progressive thinking, said Ford. He’s our voice, our vote in Dover, and he does it very well, he said.

Rep. Harvey Kenton, R-Milford, led the event in prayer, but only after telling the crowd how close he and Lopez and their families have become since Lopez took office in 2012.

He’s a special person, with a special family, said Kenton. Ernie’s got a smile as big as the sun and when he walks into a room, the whole room just lights up, he said.

Senate District 6, which moved from Northern New Castle County to Sussex County during redistricting in 2012, encompasses Dewey Beach, Rehoboth Beach, Lewes and Milton. Lopez defeated Democrat Andy Staton and Libertarian Wendy Jones in the 2012 election.

Lopez, who was born in Puerto Rico, is the first Hispanic elected and sworn in to the Delaware Senate.

To date, Rehoboth Beach Democrat Claire Snyder-Hall is Lopez’s only opponent. She filed for the seat Jan. 7. Lopez filed for re-election Nov. 25. The filing deadline for all candidates is July 8 at noon.