“We need a change. We need someone with the courage to say when something’s wrong. Delaware deserves a leader who thinks outside the box.”
Opinion By Erik Raser-Schramm, the former chair of the Delaware Democratic Party
The “Delaware Way” is seen by some as a pillar of Delaware politics. We get along by getting along. To others, the Delaware Way’s traditions are viewed as an obstacle to change, improvement, transformation and, ultimately, progress.
As a state — and as a country — we are at a crossroads. In Delaware, we have been doing the same things, the same way, over and over. We get the same results. We look around and wonder why we’re stuck in the same place.
Delaware’s education system ranks 45th in the nation. Yet, we spend, on average, $15,697 annually per student.
Thirty percent of working Delawareans cannot afford the average rent of a one-bedroom apartment.
We see scandal after scandal in our government, often as a consequence of a lack of transparency, accountability and courage to stand up to the Delaware Way.
We need a change. We need someone with the courage to say when something’s wrong. Delaware deserves a leader who thinks outside the box. Delaware deserves a governor who delivers solutions to problems, not Band-Aids. That person is Matt Meyer.
I have served in multiple roles in Delaware government and politics for more than two decades. I was chair of the Democratic Party. I have worked as a teacher and as a chief of staff for former House Speaker Robert Gilligan, former Gov. Ruth Ann Minner and state Auditor Lydia York, as well as for New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer. I have seen behind the curtain and know who is the real deal. I have seen how an effective leader can affect change.
We are also at a crucial point as a party. Are we a party that supports transparency and accountability? Are we a party that acknowledges the significant importance of being entrusted with public funds and billions of taxpayer dollars?
I had a heavy heart when I learned of Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long’s reported misuse of thousands of dollars of campaign donations. The whole political system is built upon donors’ trust that their money will be used ethically and lawfully. The Delaware Democratic Party’s platform states that it believes “that government is accountable to all Delawareans, and that public funds are the people’s money. We believe that government must exercise wise and prudent stewardship of revenue funds.” I call upon the Delaware Democratic Party to rescind its endorsement of Hall-Long and hold true to its stated values. Donors and voters must know we take this type of conduct seriously.
Former FBI agent Jeffrey Lampinski’s report, documenting nearly a decade of Hall-Long campaign finance mismanagement, included findings that the effort’s money was used to pay off personal credit card balances and that 113 personal checks were made out from the campaign account, plus, despite having almost a year to fix finance reports, it failed to do so. For the Democratic Party to refuse to rescind its endorsement is to endorse the abuse of money Delawareans entrusted her with. It just is.
The people of Delaware deserve a governor who they can trust, who adheres to the law and who exemplifies the ethical standards we expect from our elected officials. Meyer has made government transparency a hallmark of his time as county executive. He posted the county’s checkbook online so that taxpayers can see where their money goes. When there was a government surplus, he returned money to the taxpayers. When the county received federal funding, he created the New Castle County Hope Center to help those with substance abuse, mental health and housing issues. During the pandemic, New Castle County was the first in the state to offer free testing, which saved lives.
Sometimes, when people are at a crossroads, they stop, or sometimes, they turn back. As someone who worked with Matt, I saw a leader who, time and time again, faced challenges head-on, arrived at crossroads and saw the opportunity in adversity. He did not take no for an answer. He wanted to know if something could be done in a different way. He asked his team to research, consider new approaches and innovate. He has done a remarkable job managing the largest local government in Delaware, effectively handling $2 billion in taxpayer funds during his two terms, and has made the county a better place than it was eight years ago.
At this crossroads in Delaware politics, I wholeheartedly endorse Matt Meyer for governor.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
The Delaware Journalism Collaborative is a project of the Local Journalism Initiative.
