Delaware Sportsmen, NRA Candidates Forum
Jan 11th, 2010 by Tennessee Walker
A crowd of 450 + trekked up to Dover for a candidates’ forum sponsored by the Delaware Sportemen Association and the National Rifle Association. The Modern Maturity Center in Dover was packed despite the 20 degree temperatures and NFL playoff games on the tube. Over 20 candidates for statewide and local offices showed up to give their views on the 2nd amendment and the attempts by local jurisdictions to deprive individuals citizens of those rights.
Some Highlights:
State Senator and State Treasurer candidate Colin Bonini actually spoke on the need for controlling spending and was well received. His enthusiasm was infectious and notable.
Representative Mike Ramone from New Castle County spoke on the inspiration that NRA members gave him when campaigning in 2008. There wer not many New Castle County politicians. Ramone got the best response of the elected officials group from New Castle.
State Auditor Tom Wagner thanked Barack Obama for bringing everyone together. It was one of the best lines of the day if not the best line. (I will not tell which Democrat elected officials were laughing at the comment.)
Who did not make it:
State Representative Darryl Scott although the event was held in his district. (Both announced Republican Candidates, Ron Smith and Ron Poliquin were there and spoke)
Democrat Trey Paradee whose district begins 3 miles from the venue never showed. Republican Hans Riegle made it and gave a heartfelt talk on his own commitments to the 2nd Amendment.
Candidates and elected officials who appeared were:
New Castle:
Representative Tom Kovach Republican
Representative Quinn Johnson Democrat
Representative Mike Ramone Republican
Mike Protack Republican
Congressional Candidates Republicans
Fred Cullis
Kevin Wade
No Democrat Congressional Candidates appeared
Kent:
Representative Bill Carson Democrat
Ron Smith Republican
Ron Poliquin Republican
Representative Bob Walls Democrat
Senator Colin Bonini Republican
Representative Don Blakey Republican
Senator Bryan Bushweller Democrat
Hans Riegle Republican
Representative Brad Bennett Democrat
Senator Bruce Ennis Democrat
State Auditor Tom Wagner Republican
City of Dover Candidates are non partisan and both Mayoral Candidates were there.
Carleton Carey
Nancy Wagner
Sussex:
Senator Joe Booth Republican
Representative Biff Lee Republican
Representative Danny Short Republican
Representative Ruth Briggs King Republican
Representative Gerald Hocker Republican
Representative Dave Wilson Republican
No Sussex Democrats appeared.
All invited speakers were given 5 minutes to focus on the Right to Bear Arms.
Many speakers gave a history of their voting records or a bio sketch. For the most part I focused on Freedom, Liberty and Opportunity which is the focus of the second amendment. Those three principles also relate to the rest of the political spectrum.
A Great turnout and a nice crowd.
Mike Protack
No Sussex County D’s were there. However, John Sigler stated some were out of town with prior committments, Sen. Venables is still recovering from his accident. Sen. Bunting, Sen. Venables and Rep. Atkins all are solid A+ NRA legislators and have a voting record to show for it.
Thanks for the info. anon especially on Sen Venables. Considering the drive and type of day, I was not surprised that he did not make it. I also did not expect Sen. Bunting.
My comment regarding Sussex D’s was not a knock. I felt that just by mentioning R’s in Sussex some would assume that I was dissing the D’s and may have missed those who were not there. I simply wanted to accurately record all who were there and not there.
Thanks, TW for the clarification
Good reporting. It sounded like a good event.