The upset of party endorsed candidates Tuesday in Delaware’s Republican U.S. Senate and House primaries captured most of the headlines, but the Republican Party was not alone in having one of its endorsed candidates rebuffed. The state Democratic Party saw its choice for state treasurer, incumbent Velda Jones-Potter, defeated by Chip Flowers.
As Flowers now turns his attention to November and his Republican opponent, State Senator Colin Bonini, there are indications that voter attitudes and frustrations displayed in the primaries may affect this race, which normally focuses on fiscal soundness, investments, and the responsibilities of the office.
In the Democratic primary, Flowers edged Jones-Potter, 54.3 to 45.7%. The primary drew 12% of Delaware’s registered Democrats to the polls.
Flowers, a lawyer and President of Flowers Counsel Group LLC, believes he was successful by heading a campaign that was “completely unique” in the State of Delaware.
“Whenever someone tried to take us off message, we stayed on message and we brought it back to ideas, and restoring prosperity,” Flowers said shortly after claiming victory with a group of supporters at his downtown Wilmington headquarters. “We’re not going to celebrate too long because we know our team has to get back to work.”
Although Flowers won all three counties, he was especially strong in the lower two-thirds of the state. Flowers topped Jones-Potter in Kent County, 2,452 to 1,829, and in Sussex County, 4,089 to 2,583.
Long-time Delaware political analyst Richard Heffron, Vice-President of Government Affairs with the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, says Flowers worked hard to win downstate and in the suburban areas, and it paid off.
“I don’t know how much time [Jones-Potter] spent downstate, but I know Chip spent a whole lot of time downstate,” according to Heffron. “Another thing people don’t know is that Chip has been very active in the Democratic Party in the Middletown area, so he had support there people might not have been aware of.”
Flowers also acknowledges the role downstate Delaware played in his win over an incumbent.
“We want to thank the wonderful folks of Kent and Sussex because when the chips were down they came through for me,” Flowers said. “Because of the strength of Sussex and Kent, and obviously New Castle, this is a statewide win and we think we will be successful against Mr. Bonini in November.”
Anti-incumbency may also have played a part in the outcome, according to Heffron.
“Her sign said ‘Keep Velda’,” Heffron explained. “Two things: one is, very few people know who Velda is, so it didn’t have an impact on them. And two, I’m not sure if this was a good year for ‘keep’ or re-elect.’ There is an anti-incumbency factor out there. I think that may have hurt her.”
Jones-Potter faced criticism late in the campaign about continuing a lucrative leadership training program with the City of Wilmington while serving as state treasurer. The arrangement was legal, and Jones-Potter, who is married to Wilmington City Council member Charles Potter Jr., said she was not on the state clock when she carried out the responsibilities. Additionally, Jones-Potter said she would discontinue the agreement with the city if she won re-election.
“I made a commitment to myself when I entered the campaign that I would be positive at all times, that I would maintain my character, my integrity, and despite whatever else happened in the campaign that I would maintain that. I’m really happy to say I’ve done that,” Jones-Potter said at a gathering of her supporters at the Wilmington riverfront.
“Anti-incumbency plays into the contract question,too,” Heffron said. “Here’s an incumbent, she’s making this extra money, she reported the contract but didn’t report it was with the city, so I think that all hurt her when you put it all together.”
The state treasurer primary was largely overshadowed by the history-making defeat of Congressman Mike Castle by Christine O’Donnell in the Republican U.S. Senate primary. As Flowers prepares to face Bonini in the November election, he says he recognizes the frustrations of Delaware voters.
"People are upset: no ifs, ands, or buts about it," he said.
And Bonini concurs.
“The bottom line is, people are mad as heck – and they should be,” said the Dover lawmaker. “I think if we’re successful in showing people they should also be mad as heck at their state finances, I think absolutely we can capitalize on that.”
Heffron predicts an interesting race, saying Flowers and Bonini are “two very intelligent men. Everybody’s looking forward to a debate. They are good campaigners, they are both people who when you meet them you remember them, and I think it’s going to be a good race.”
