The Battle for Delaware’s 37th Representative District

August 20, 2009 by Cato  
Filed under Delaware, Delaware Politics, Democrat Campaigns

As usual, Celia Cohen delivers unique insight to Delaware politics.  This time it’s about the special election to replace newly elected Delaware Sen. Joe Booth.  The election will be held on September 12th.

Ruth Briggs King is the GOP candidate.  The 37th District is a Republican district (with a very slight Democrat registration edge).  To counter this, the Democrats have nominated Rob Robinson.

Robinson’s ties in Sussex county run wide, and deep.  His mother, Battle Robinson, was Sussex County’s first woman attorney.  She was the GOP candidate for Lt. Governor in 1984, a family court judge, and assistant counsel to former Gov. Pete DuPont.  Robinson’s great-grandfather was a Republican congressman.  His grandfather was a Democrat Speaker of the Delaware House.  Robinson’s father ran the Sussex Countian newspaper.

As an outsider, I’ve got to give a strong edge to King.  Robinson looks great on paper.  I have no doubt that he’ll be a credible candidate.  Robinson has one big Achilles’ heel – TAXES.

To enact a tax increase, a supermajority is required.  If Robinson is elected, Democrats will have that supermajority in both houses – plus Democrat Gov. Jack Markell.  There is widespread belief that Markell wants to raise taxes.  There is no question that he wants to spend more of the taxpayers’ money.

Short of signing a “No Tax Increase” pledge in blood (never a responsible move for any candidate), Robinson will have a tough time overcoming the fact that he’s running on the Democrat line.  It certainly doesn’t help that he has Barack Obama and Democrat congress as examples of Democrat fiscal responsibility.