State of Delaware Archives: on Government Reform
Al Sharpton:
An "affront" that Delaware had a whites-only Supreme Court
The Rev. Al Sharpton congratulated Delaware's governor for making Vice Chancellor Tamika Montgomery-Reeves the first black judge to be appointed to the state Supreme Court, but also said the judiciary still needs a more diverse panel of justices.
It was an "affront," he said, that a Delaware criminal justice system that disproportionately arrests, convicts and incarcerates people of color has been overseen by a "whites only" Supreme Court. "We must in many ways repair the institutional neglect
of people of color in the judiciary in this state," Sharpton said. The speech follows months of advocacy ads, making similar calls for racial justice in Delaware.Before Gov. John Carney's appointment of Montgomery-Reeves to the
Supreme Court, Sharpton said he was preparing to directly challenge, rather than congratulate, the governor, given the state never had had a black justice on its Supreme Court.
Source: Wilmington News Journal on 2020 Delaware Gubernatorial race
Oct 31, 2019
Chris Coons:
Campaign spending is not a form of speech
Chris opposes the recent Supreme Court ruling on the Citizens United case.
He believes we must reform our campaign finance laws but that true reform will only come once the judicial system finds that campaign spending is not a form of speech. Chris believes that Senators should never become lobbyists
Source: Delaware Congressional Election 2010 Political Courage Test
Sep 25, 2010
Chris Coons:
Consider 3-year freeze on non-defense discretionary spending
Q: What would you cut in the federal budget?O'DONNELL: That's a great question because first of all we have got to tackle the deficit because our deficit is almost becoming equal to our national GDP.
Q: So what would you cut specifically?
O'DONNELL: First of all, cancel the unspent stimulus bill. Second, put a freeze on discretionary spending, put a hiring freeze on non-security personnel. And then, of course, when we're talking about cutting government spending, we've got to talk about
waste, fraud and abuse.
COONS: Let me get back to the focus of the question, is what would you do to tackle the deficit? I would seriously consider supporting a freeze on non defense discretionary spending for three years, which would achieve
significant reductions. I've also identified on my web site a series of reductions that I would support. Some of them are in agricultural price supports. Some are in federal office space, for example, or hiring. And several are in defense programs.
Source: CNN's Wolf Blitzer moderating 2010 Delaware Senate debate
Oct 13, 2010
Chris Coons:
Nuclear option: Allow confirmation of Obama's appointees
Democrats in the Senate voted to end the filibuster as a way to block some presidential nominations. The move is known as the "nuclear option.""Month after month, now year after year, we've seen as highly qualified nominees--for judgeships, for
ambassadorships, for agency positions--have been filibustered or have been blocked," Coons said "and frankly it was with real regret and only after many attempts at some resolution that I voted for the reforms today."
The grid-lock that has seized Washington was the final straw for frustrated Democrats. Coons said Republican filibusters had made it clear the GOP were simply on a mission to block Obama's nominees. "A sort of blanket declaration that nobody was getting
confirmed--regardless of how qualified, regardless of how bipartisan their record was--that made it clear that this was not based on the qualifications of the nominees," Coons said. "It was based on a rejection of the presidency of Barack Obama"
Source: WDEL reporting on 2014 Delaware Senate race
Nov 21, 2013
Christine O`Donnell:
Private sector solutions over growth of government
O'Donnell repeatedly emphasized her concerns over the growth of government and stressed "private-sector solutions" on a range of questions.The Democrat pitched himself as independent of his party in
Washington, saying, "I would not have supported the bailout," because he said it was done too fast and "put hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars at risk."
Source: The Hill coverage of 2010 Delaware Senate debate
Sep 16, 2010
Christine O`Donnell:
Cancel unspent stimulus; freeze spending & hiring
Q: What would you cut in the federal budget? And don't just say waste, fraud and abuse, because everybody says that.O'DONNELL: That's a great question because first of all we have got to tackle the deficit because our deficit is almost becoming equal
to our GDP. That's when your currency collapses, your market collapses. We've got to take drastic measures.
Q: So what would you cut specifically?
O'DONNELL: First of all, cancel the unspent stimulus bill. Second, put a freeze on discretionary
spending, put a hiring freeze on non-security personnel. And then, of course, when we're talking about cutting government spending, we've got to talk about waste, fraud and abuse. A recent report came out said we spend over $1 billion in Medicaid waste,
fraud, and abuse.
COONS: I would seriously consider supporting a freeze on non defense discretionary spending for three years, which would achieve significant reductions. I've also identified on my web site a series of reductions that I would support.
Source: CNN's Wolf Blitzer moderating 2010 Delaware Senate debate
Oct 13, 2010
Chuck Boyce:
Revitalize the people's trust in their elected officials
For far too long our elected officials have remained above the law with a lack of transparency between the constituents they represent. I will actively push for full accountability for all elected officials especially federal office holders.
Career politicians have taken over our government which has led to our further polarized country with divisive party politics.
I fully support term limits for all members of the U.S. Congress and U.S. Senate to rid
Washington of career politician and revitalize the people's trust in their elected officials. This will ensure an open dialogue with fresh ideas and perspectives to solve problems that directly affect the American people, and not special interests.
Washington needs more rational leaders coming together on common ground solutions to enact policy that betters the everyday hardworking American.
Source: 2018 Delaware Senatorial campaign website ChuckForSenate.com
Feb 22, 2018
Colin Bonini:
Delaware should not join National Popular Vote compact
Legislative Summary:SB22: Act enacts the National Popular Vote compact, which requires that each member state award its electoral votes to the presidential candidate who received the largest number of popular votes in all 50 states and the
District of Columbia. The compact becomes effective when it is enacted by states collectively possessing a majority of the electoral votes.Delaware Public Radio case to vote NO: A 2018 GOP primary candidate for U.S. House said he
believes it goes against what the founders envisioned when deciding how the president and vice president should be elected. "It says three votes go to what the country thinks," he said. "I think our three electoral votes should go for what Delaware
thinks."
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 14-7-0 on Mar/7/19; State Sen. Colin Bonini voted NO; Passed House 24-17-0 on Mar/14/19; Signed by Governor John Carney on Mar/28/19
Source: Delaware Public Radio on legislative voting records SB22
Mar 7, 2019
James DeMartino:
Business regulations must be streamlined
I will work to create an environment that promotes free enterprise and not hinder growth with excessive and stifling regulations that add to the cost of doing business.
Regulations must be streamlined so business can run their business and not continually file government licenses, documents and reports.
Source: 2020 Delaware Senate campaign website VoteDeMartino.com
Aug 20, 2020
Jan Ting:
Pledges not to serve more than two six-year terms
All three [Republican Senate primary candidates] brandish conservative credentials. They agree taxes should not be raised.
They think U.S. troops should stay in Iraq until its government is stable. And all have pledged not to serve more than two six-year terms.
Source: Cris Barrish, The Delaware News Journal, "Republican issues"
Sep 3, 2006
Jan Ting:
Lobbyists should not be allowed to donate to legislators
TING: I'm outraged at the campaign financing system which allows a 1st-term Senator like Tom Carper to raise millions of dollars from special interests and lobbyists, including Jack Abramoff & his clients. It's an outrage that people whose profession is
affecting our legislation are allowed to give money to our legislators. If you think it's ok, support Tom Carper. If you want change, vote for Jan Ting. CARPER: I've never received any money from clients of Jack Abramoff and I hope Mr. Ting knows that
Source: Delaware 2006 Senate Debate, hosted by WHYY-TV
Oct 20, 2006
Jeff Bartos:
Voting rights bill attempt by radical left to seize power
[On election reform]: "S.1 was a laughable attempt by beltway liberals to put Chuck Schumer, Bernie Sanders, and AOC in charge of Pennsylvania's elections," said
Republican Jeff Bartos. "S.1 was just the latest attempt by the radical left to seize more power. I'm glad it died a very public death in the Senate--our nation is better for it."
Source: Delaware Valley Journal on 2022 Pennsylvania Senate race
Jun 30, 2021
Jessica Scarane:
Pledged no campaign donations from PACs
Scarane isn't completely new to politics. She volunteered with a campaign for Wilmington mayor in 2016 and has canvassed for statehouse candidates. She now serves as the board president of Girls Inc. of Delaware, a nonprofit that helps young women in
career development and political engagement.Like other Democratic candidates, Scarane has pledged not to take campaign donations from corporate political-action committees--something that she's quick to point out sets her apart from Coons.
Source: Wilmington News Journal on 2020 Delaware Senatorial race
Nov 18, 2019
John Carney:
Citizens should be able to access state government online
This past year, we launched Delaware OneStop. It's a convenient, centralized platform that allows small businesses to easily get licensed with the state. We should also make it easier for everyday Delawareans to interact with their state government.
We need a OneStop for Delaware citizens-- where you can buy your park pass, register to vote, renew your license, or check for snow closures. This will be a game changer for our state.
Source: 2020 Delaware State of the State address
Jan 23, 2020
John Carney:
Appointed first black judge to the state Supreme Court
The Rev. Al Sharpton congratulated Delaware's governor for making Vice Chancellor Tamika Montgomery-Reeves the first black judge to be appointed to the state Supreme Court, but also said the judiciary still needs a more diverse panel of justices.
Before Gov. John Carney's appointment of Montgomery-Reeves to the Supreme Court, Sharpton said he was preparing to directly challenge, rather than congratulate, the governor, given the state never had had a black justice on its Supreme Court.
The Delaware Legislative Black Caucus said in a statement that Gov. Carney should be commended for his
judicial selections, "which represent a significant step forward in improving diversity and representation at the highest level of Delaware's courts."
Source: Wilmington News Journal on 2020 Delaware Gubernatorial race
Oct 31, 2019
John Carney:
Make mail-in voting a permanent feature of our elections
One of the most important things we did during this pandemic was safeguard our democracy. With the General Assembly's help, we allowed mail-in voting for the first time. That meant hundreds of thousands of Delawareans could stay safe from the pandemic,
while exercising their right to vote. And I look forward to signing legislation to make mail-in voting a permanent feature of our elections--from school board and town hall elections to the election for the President of the United States.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Delaware legislature
Jan 26, 2021
John Carney:
Delaware should join National Popular Vote compact
Legislative Summary:SB22: Act enacts the National Popular Vote compact, which requires that each member state award its electoral votes to the presidential candidate who received the largest number of popular votes in all 50 states and the
District of Columbia. The compact becomes effective when it is enacted by states collectively possessing a majority of the electoral votes.Delaware Public Radio case to vote NO: A 2018 GOP primary candidate for U.S. House said he
believes it goes against what the founders envisioned when deciding how the president and vice president should be elected. "It says three votes go to what the country thinks," he said. "I think our three electoral votes should go for what Delaware
thinks."
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 14-7-0 on Mar/7/19; Passed House 24-17-0 on Mar/14/19; Signed by Governor John Carney on Mar/28/19
Source: Delaware Public Radio on legislative voting records SB22
Mar 28, 2019
Julianne Murray:
Mail-in voting is open to fraud
The two differed on the mail-in voting process approved this year due to the pandemic, with Ms. Murray expressing concerns about fraud while
Gov. Carney called it "common sense" and a way to expand civic participation in democracy.
Source: Delaware State News on 2020 Delaware Gubernatorial race
Oct 29, 2020
Julianne Murray:
Abolishing Electoral College would dilute the vote
They also differed on the subject of the electoral college, with Carney saying he supported its abolishment and
Murray saying it would "dilute the vote."
Source: Delaware News Journal on 2020 Delaware Gubernatorial race
Oct 13, 2020
Lauren Witzke:
Life-long pols don't serve America & her people
Q: Do you believe that it's beneficial for senators to have previous experience in government or politics?A: I believe that the government was created for Americans who love their country and her people.
Life-long politicians have proven inept and to be poor representations of the interest of the American people.
It is time for new candidates in every branch of government that have not been deluded by far left ideologies, or bought out by corporate and foreign lobbyist to replace the establishment elite's pawns.
Q: What do you think of the filibuster?
A: The filibuster should only be used as a last resort in extreme circumstances. For instance, when a bill is rushed through with little to no time to review it in its entirety.
Source: Ballotpedia Candidate survey 2020 Delaware Senate race
Sep 30, 2020
Lisa Blunt Rochester:
Overturn Citizens United decision by amending Constitution
Campaign Finance Reform and Expanding Voting Rights: "One person, one vote is the cornerstone of our country's political system. I will stand strong in my commitment to defend that principal so our leaders in Washington are only concerned with the will
of the people." - Lisa Blunt RochesterOver the last few decades there has been a shift in our politics to where money became more important than the will of the people. We reached a tipping point with the Citizens United decision in which the
Supreme Court tore down the floodgates and let unlimited, unregulated money into our system. The Citizens United decision was an incredible mistake that works to prevent everyday Americans from having a say in the political process.
If I'm elected, one of my top priorities will be to reform our campaign finance system, and we need to start by passing legislation that will overturn the Citizens United decision, even if that means amending the Constitution.
Source: 2016 Delaware House campaign website LisaBluntRochester.com
Nov 8, 2016
Lisa Blunt Rochester:
Institute same day voter registration
[We should] open up the voting process and make sure our government is truly representative of our state and our nation. We need to renew our commitment to voting rights and institute Same Day Voter Registration so everyone's voice can be heard.
And we need to address the issue of gerrymandering - where congressional lines are sliced up to serve personal political interests, not to best represent our people. We need an impartial redistricting process in order to create districts that are
contiguous and properly represent their constituents. In Congress, Lisa will be a champion for getting money out of politics and reforming our broken system by:- Working to pass a constitutional amendment declaring
corporations aren't people and overturning Citizens United.
- Pushing for national Same Day Voter Registration laws.
- Introducing legislation to take drawing congressional districts out of the hands of politicians.
Source: 2016 Delaware House campaign website LisaBluntRochester.com
Nov 8, 2016
Rob Arlett:
Has whistle blower on staff: job is to root out corruption
Rob Arlett stated that he has a former FBI whistle blower on his staff, dedicated to rooting out corruption in government and one crucial way to reform
the federal government in service to the people is to defeat Tom Carper.
Source: DelawarePolitics.net on 2018 Delaware Senate race
Aug 14, 2018
Tom Carper:
I never received any money from Jack Abramoff
TING: I'm outraged at the campaign financing system which allows a 1st-term Senator like Tom Carper to raise millions of dollars from special interests and lobbyists, including Jack Abramoff & his clients. It's an outrage that people whose profession is
affecting our legislation are allowed to give money to our legislators. If you think it's ok, support Tom Carper. If you want change, vote for Jan Ting. CARPER: I've never received any money from clients of Jack Abramoff and I hope Mr. Ting knows that
Source: Delaware 2006 Senate Debate, hosted by WHYY-TV (X-ref Ting)
Oct 20, 2006
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023