A Critical Moment in the 10th Senate District

by Chip Rossi
DSCC Chairman of the Board

The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors met with the candidates for the special election in Senate District 10. Both candidates shared their thoughts on how to turn Delaware’s economy around and improve education. Each acknowledged that Delaware’s economy and budget should be the primary focus of the Delaware General Assembly and the Governor – and need to be addressed.

After the presentations, the Chamber’s Board of Directors discussed if the Chamber should endorse a candidate. Both candidates presented well and focused their remarks on many of the things the Chamber advocates for every day, including the growth of small business, infrastructure, good jobs and safe, healthy communities throughout the state of Delaware.

Our focus quickly shifted from the candidates themselves to what this election means long-term for Delaware.
The spirited discussion that followed highlighted the importance of a change election if Delaware is to improve its political and economic standing. We find ourselves, year after year, facing budget deficits that underscore a fundamentally broken system and legislative remedies that are too often short-sighted. Given the urgency of the moment, the questions raised by the Board included:

• What facilitates the most change for Delaware when the status quo is unacceptable?
• Is one-party control of the executive and legislative branches conducive to resolving the difficult issues facing our state? If so, how can those in power be held more accountable?
• How best are the issues surrounding a projected $350 million budget shortfall solved so that our revenue and spending structure are sustainable long term?
• How do we capitalize on reestablishing Delaware as a manufacturing hub by retooling currently abandoned manufacturing sites for job and economic growth?
• How do we best address unsustainable increases in healthcare costs for both the private and public sectors?
• In what ways is the environment surrounding job creation being fostered?
• How best does Delaware copy and expand upon Middletown’s economic development success to bring jobs and growth statewide?​

For all the reasons stated above, this district election has statewide impacts. The answers to these questions, and others, are critical if Delaware is going to succeed as a place where businesses want to relocate or expand, where families want to raise their children, and where those children don’t have to leave our state to find gainful employment.

On February 25th, the voters in the 10th Senate District have an opportunity to consider these questions and determine the path forward.
Read coverage of this piece in The News Journal here.