Don Peterson challenges Schwarztkopf in 14th District

Don Peterson had been considering a run against the Democratic Speaker of the House Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf in a primary for the 14th District seat, but, he said, two events in late January cemented his thoughts.

First, said Peterson, was the district’s own Democratic committee voting to endorse Schwartzkopf for re-election Jan. 13. The vote was 13–0, with one abstention. Peterson was the abstention.

“I didn’t think endorsing Pete so early in the process was appropriate,” he said. “It was done before anyone else emerged as a candidate. It was singularly undemocratic what they did.”

Second, he said, was Schwarztkopf’s "no" vote on repealing the death penalty Jan. 28.

“This district has been changing since Pete took office 12 or 14 years ago,” he said. “There’s a lot more people like me – transplants – and they’re looking for a strong progressive voice.”

Peterson filed his paperwork with the Sussex County Department of Elections March 2. Schwartzkopf filed his paperwork for re-election Jan. 8.

Schwartzkopf said he was not surprised Peterson filed to run. He said he totally disagrees with Peterson on how he’s been representing the district.

Schwartzkopf said since he was first elected, being a representative has been a full-time job, and he’s got a better overall grasp on the will of the district than Peterson.

“He knows what he and his friends think, but he doesn’t get the calls, emails and texts that I get,” said Schwartzkopf, who was first elected in 2002 and was elected speaker of the House in 2012.

Peterson, who has 30 years of experience in government budget and finance, said one thing that won’t happen is him dropping out of the race like Rehoboth Beach resident Nelson Warren did in 2014. Warren submitted paperwork on the July 8 filing deadline, only to withdraw from the race eight days later.

“I can’t imagine anything that would get me out of this race,” he said. “I really do think people need to have a choice. This should be an election, not a coronation.”

Mitch Crane, Sussex County Democratic chair, said Peterson had been telling people for weeks he was going to run. Peterson is welcome to run, said Crane, but 99 percent of the Democratic party is behind Schwartzkopf. Even another district Democratic committee, Representative District 20, has publicly endorsed Schwartzkopf.

Speaking to Schwarztkopf’s position as Speaker of the House, Crane said it was bad politics to primary an incumbent with such influence. Schwartzkopf is the only Democrat in Dover who has the power to direct how funds are spent in Sussex County, he said.

“We should be working to find other Democrats who can support Pete,” said Crane.

The fact is, said Crane, Schwartzkopf is the candidate supported by the Democrats of the 14th District, and because of this any challenger will not be getting party resources.

If he survives the primary, Schwartzkopf can expect a Republican challenger too.

Billy Carroll, Sussex County Republican Committee chairman, said he wasn’t surprised Peterson filed. He said Schwartzkopf has been able to remain in power by appealing to New Castle County legislators.

“He represents New Castle County very well,” said Carroll. “We need a Sussex County representative.”

Carroll agrees with Peterson there needs to be a change in the 14th District. There might be a Republican primary, because there are two people seriously thinking about running, he said.

Carroll said statewide Schwartzkopf’s district has more Republican voters than any other district represented by a Democrat, and he sees that as a weakness.

“We’re coming after Pete Schwartzkopf,” said Carroll.

Schwartzkopf said having a Democratic challenger and a potential Republican challenger will do little to change how he campaigns and represents the county in the coming months.

“When a person is out there doing their job, like I am, a re-election campaign isn’t much different,” he said.

The deadline to register for the Tuesday, Sept. 13 primary is Saturday, Aug. 20.

The deadline to register the for the Tuesday, April 26 presidential primary is Saturday, April 2.