A fight is brewing over how to potentially replace a lieutenant governor in Delaware.
Republican leaders in the General Assembly want to amend the state constitution to allow for a special election, but Democrats are angling for the process to be a gubernatorial appointment.
Current Lt. Gov. Matt Denn (D-Delaware) could leave a hole in the executive branch, should he win his bid for attorney general this fall. Right now, he faces neither a primary challenger nor an opponent in the general election. Potential GOP challenger Colm Connolly withdrew from the conversation earlier this week
Senate Pro Tem Patti Blevins (D-Elsmere) notes she also heard from many people who think the office should lay dormant until the term expires, but she says there are problems associated with that.
“There are a lot of good arguments for going any one of those three ways, but it would be a shame to have the office vacant for two years, especially with regards to the Board of Pardons, who often has trouble making a quorum,” said Blevins.
The GOP says replacing any high level official like that should be up to the voters and not a political decision, though Senate Minority Whip Greg Lavelle (R-Sharpley) admits special elections are not ideal.
“There’s generally low voter turnout. There’s a limited opportunity to campaign, but even with those limitations it’s much better than having two people make a decision for 900,000 people in the state,” said Lavelle.
Republicans still have to work out details in their bill, but Blevins' amendment will be introduced this week.
Either proposal needs to be approved by two-thirds of state lawmakers in each chamber this year and next year in order to go into effect in 2015.
