Newcomer Terranova recommended to unseat incumbent
Recommended Candidates 2008.
These candidates measure up!
Using a new, more comprehensive system, the DSEA Executive Board recently gave thumbs up to 29 legislators running for reelection in the General Assembly as “Friendly Incumbents.”
The new “Legislative Performance Accountability System” (LPAS) considers both objective and subjective information including:
• Voting record
• Committee votes and work
• Bill sponsorship
• Behind the scenes work on behalf of DSEA
• Access and advocacy work back home, in their district.
In the Senate, just half of the seats are up every two years. In the House, the terms are just two years, so every seat is open.
A “Friendly Incumbent” designation means that a current officeholder is recommended by DSEA to its members for re-election due to her/his strong support for issues affecting public education and DSEA members. Designation as a “Friendly Incumbent” thus eliminates the need for DSEA to conduct candidate interviews in those particular races.
For races in which there is no “Friendly Incumbent,” DSEA reserves the right to determine whether or not to interview candidates. If candidate interviews are conducted, the DSEA Interview Team makes one of two recommendations to the DSEA Executive Board for final action: recommendation of a candidate or no recommendation at all.
DSEA's 29 Friendly Incumbents
Margaret Rose Henry
D-Senate 2
Robert Marshall
D-Senate 3
Tony Deluca
D-Senate 11
Dennis Williams
D-House 1
Hazel Plant
D-House 2
Helene Keeley
D-House 3
Gerald Brady
D-House 4
Melanie Marshall
D-House 5
Diana McWilliams
D-House 6
Bryon Short
D-House 7
Richard Cathcart
R-House 9
Larry Mitchell
D-House 13
Pete Schwartzkopf
D-House 14
Valerie Longhurst
D-House 15
James Johnson
D-House 16
Michael Mulrooney
D-House 17
Terry Spence
R-House 18
Robert Gilligan
D-House 19
Nick Manolakos
R-House 20
Joe Miro
R-House 22
Terry Schooley
D-House 23
Bill Oberle
R-House 24
John Kowalko
D-House 25
John Viola
D-House 26
Vince Lofink
R-House 27
William Carson, Jr.
D-House 28
Bob Walls
D-House 33
Don Blakey
R-House 34
George Carey
R-House 36
Newcomer Terranova recommended to unseat incumbent
DSEA is making a recommendation in just one primary this election year, the Democratic primary for the 6th Senate District seat, currently held by Liane Sorensen (R).
DSEA members from Christina, Red Clay and New Castle County Vo-Tech (the school districts in this Senate district) interviewed the three declared candidates: Incumbent Senator Liane Sorensen and Democratic challengers John Mackenzie and Michael Terranova. The Executive Board recently approved the recommendation of the interview team of Michael Terranova for the Democratic Primary as well as the General Election.
Terranova, 56, a retired captain of the New County County Police Department, is now an instructor at Delaware Technical and Community College where he also advises students who are preparing for public service. A lifelong resident of Delaware, he graduated from McKean High School and holds three degrees from Wilmington University.
Sorenson’s support for DSEA positions during the most recent General Assembly was not as strong as in year’s past.
A former union leader, he understands the importance of collective bargaining and the role of unions in our society. He also understands the issues facing working families, and demonstrated solid support for public education and the DSEA legislative program.
Incumbent Senator Liane Sorenson, on the other hand, differed with DSEA positions on alternative pay and charter schools. In addition, her voting record this past General Assembly was not strong.
Adds Red Clay E.A. President Frederika Jenner, “We have appreciated Mr. Terranova’s attention to our district’s financial crisis and its inherent impact on our classrooms. Mike attended every board meeting for several months—both regular monthly meetings and special sessions. He talked to teachers and listened to their concerns.”
All NEA members who are registered Democrats and live in Delaware’s 6th Senate are urged to cast their vote in the September 9 Primary for Mike Terranova as the strongest education candidate.
For more, check out his web site at www.terranova08.com.