Bike Delaware 2016 Voter’s Guide

From Claymont in the north to Selbyville in the south, these 62 people are running for election on November 8 to represent us here in Delaware. How important are cycling and walking to these folks? 68% of them took the time to answer a short survey that we sent them. See their answers below in our Voter’s Guide.

Who represents us in Dover is important because these people will be the ones who approve (or don’t!) the funding to build major trails like the Wilmington-New Castle Greenway and the Lewes-Georgetown Trail; who set the laws that govern the operations of state agencies like DelDOT and the Delaware State Police; and who decide what the Rules of the Road in Delaware should be.

If you are not sure if any of the candidates in the Voter’s Guide are running to represent you in Dover, you can look up which Senate and House Districts  you live in here:

• FIND MY STATE SENATE AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICTS

---

Senate District 1 (Claymont, Bellefonte, Trolley Square)

Senator Harris McDowell (Incumbent)
Candidate for State Senator (1st District)
Party: Democrat • Web Site
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree
2016 Survey Comment: “I was prime Sponsor of this legislation.”
Legislative Record:
Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act: Prime Sponsor in Delaware State Senate
Walkable Bikeable Delaware: “Yes” vote
See also:
“Bikes+Transit bill advances on 17 to 3 vote by Delaware Senate”

Mr. James Spadola
Candidate for State Senator (1st District)
Party: Republican • Web Site
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree

---

Senate District 5 (Brandywine Hundred)

Senator Catherine Cloutier (Incumbent)
Candidate for State Senator (5th District)
Party: Republican • Facebook Page
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree
2016 Survey Comment: “Thanks for all you do to keep our families safe while they are bicycling, jogging and walking! I am proud to wear my bike lapel pin!”
Legislative Record:
Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act: Co-sponsor
Walkable Bikeable Delaware: Prime Sponsor in Delaware State Senate
See also:
“Bikes+Transit bill advances on 17 to 3 vote by Delaware Senate”

Ms. Denise Bowers
Candidate for State Senator (5th District)
Party: Democrat • Web Site
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree

---

Senate District 7 (Elsmere, Prices Corner, Marshallton)

Senator Patricia Blevins (Incumbent)
Candidate for State Senator (7th District)
Party: Democrat • Web Site
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree
Legislative Record:
Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act: Co-sponsor
Walkable Bikeable Delaware: Co-sponsor
See also:
“Bikes+Transit bill advances on 17 to 3 vote by Delaware Senate”

Mr. Anthony Delcollo
Candidate for State Senator (7th District)
Party: Republican • Web Site
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree

---

Senate District 8 (Newark, North Star)

Senator David Sokola (Incumbent)
Candidate for State Senator (8th District)
Party: Democrat • Web Site
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree
2016 Survey Comment: “I also was a co-sponsor of this legislation, and support comprehensive and coordinated efforts to link existing bike and pedestrian friendly infrastructure together.”
Legislative Record:
Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act: Co-sponsor
Walkable Bikeable Delaware: Co-sponsor
See also:
“Bikes+Transit bill advances on 17 to 3 vote by Delaware Senate”
“Record $20.7 million for cycling and walking approved by Delaware General Assembly in early morning vote”
“Sokola Leads Delaware Cycling Delegation to Capitol Hill”

Ms. Meredith Chapman
Candidate for State Senator (8th District)
Party: Republican
2016 Survey Answers: No reply

Mr. David Chandler
Candidate for State Senator (8th District)
Party: Green
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree
2016 Survey Comment: “Through the 1980s, bicycle was my principal mode of transportation.”

---

Senate District 14 (Middletown-to-Smyrna)

Senator Bruce Ennis (Incumbent)
Candidate for State Senator (14th District)
Party: Democrat • Senate Caucus Web Page
2016 Survey Answers: No reply
Legislative Record:
Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act: Co-sponsor
Walkable Bikeable Delaware: Co-sponsor
See also:
“Bikes+Transit bill advances on 17 to 3 vote by Delaware Senate”

Mr. Carl Pace
Candidate for State Senator (14th District)
Party: Republican • Web Site
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree

---

Senate District 20 (Millsboro, Bethany Beach, Selbyville)

Senator Gerald Hocker (Incumbent)
Candidate for State Senator (20th District)
Party: Republican • Web Site
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Agree
Legislative Record:
Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act: “No” vote
Walkable Bikeable Delaware: Co-sponsor
See also:
“Markell Opens Assawoman Canal Trail in Ocean View”

Mr. Perry Mitchell
Candidate for State Senator (20th District)
Party: Democrat • Article in Cape Gazette
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree
Survey Comment: “As an avid cyclist I try to get out often riding my bicycle.”

---

House District 7 (Claymont and Arden)

Representative Bryon Short (Incumbent)
Candidate for State Representative (7th District)
Party: Democrat
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree
Legislative Record:
Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act: Co-sponsor
Walkable Bikeable Delaware: “Yes” vote

Mr. Robert Wilson
Candidate for State Representative (7th District)
Party: Libertarian
2016 Survey Answers: Agree • Agree

---

House District 9 (Delaware City-to-Smyrna)

Representative Kevin Hensley (Incumbent)
Candidate for State Representative (9th District)
Party: Republican
2016 Survey Answers: Agree • Agree
Legislative Record:
Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act: “Yes” vote

Ms. Monique Johns
Candidate for State Representative (9th District)
Party: Democrat
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree
2016 Survey Comment: “I support the healthy and transit-friendly development Act.  If there should be more walkable, bikes or transit-friendly communities more families would be healthier because that would encourage and motivate families to exercise more.”

---

House District 10 (Western and Northern Brandywine Hundred)

Representative Sean Matthews (Incumbent)
Candidate for State Representative (10th District)
Party: Democrat
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree
2016 Survey Comment: “As Delaware faces tough fiscal times, it is important that we continue to make targeted investments in walkable, bikeable and transit friendly communities. These are investments as they return more dollars to our State then their intial cost.”
Legislative Record:
Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act: “Yes” vote

Ms. Judith Travis
Candidate for State Representative (10th District)
Party: Republican
2016 Survey Answers: No reply

---

House District 11 (Townsend-Kenton-Hartly)

Representative Jeff Spiegelman (Incumbent)
Candidate for State Representative (11th District)
Party: Republican
2016 Survey Answers: Neither Agree or Disagree • Strongly Agree
Legislative Record:
Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act: “Yes” vote

Mr. David Nielson
Candidate for State Representative (11th District)
Party: Democrat
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree

---

House District 14 (Rehoboth Beach)

Representative Pete Schwartzkopf (Incumbent)
Candidate for State Representative (14th District)
Party: Democrat
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree
Legislative Record:
Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act: “Yes” vote
Walkable Bikeable Delaware: “Yes” vote
See also:
“Longhurst and Colleagues Fought for Trail Network Funding”

Mr. James DeMartino
Candidate for State Representative (14th District)
Party: Republican
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree
2016 Survey Comment: “I agree with State and County coordinating planning and zoning to accommodate improved infrastructure and transit systems.  However, commercial enterprises must be included in the planning and implementation of improved transit. The government must not accept additional burdens on State revenue.  Commercial enterprises should manage and run these transit systems. We need non-governmental jobs that are created by competition so we can have efficient and cost effective transit for all citizens.”

---

House District 19 (Stanton)

Representative Kim Williams (Incumbent)
Candidate for State Representative (19th District)
Party: Democrat
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree
Legislative Record:
Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act: “Yes” vote

Mr. James Startzman
Candidate for State Representative (19th District)
Party: Republican
2016 Survey Answers: No reply

---

House District 20

Representative Steve Smyk (Incumbent)
Candidate for State Representative (20th District)
Party: Republican
2016 Survey Answers: No reply
Legislative Record:
Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act: “Yes” vote

Ms. Barbara Vaughn
Candidate for State Representative (20th District)
Party: Democrat
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree
2016 Survey Comment: “As one who often rides around Lewes on a tricycle, I definitely support transit friendly communities and as potential future member of the Legislature, I will be a strong proponent and defender of the Transit Friendly Development Act.”

Mr. Donald Ayotte
Candidate for State Representative (20th District)
Party: IPOD
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree
2016 Survey Comment: “I like to bike myself and agree that Delaware can be made much more safety conscious.  I’ve been please to see more bike activity passing by my house.“

---

House District 21

Representative Mike Ramone (Incumbent)
Candidate for State Representative (21st District)
Party: Republican
2016 Survey Answers: Agree • Agree
Legislative Record:
Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act:Co-sponsor 
Walkable Bikeable Delaware: Co-sponsor

Mr. David McCorquodale
Candidate for State Representative (21st District)
Party: Green
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree
2016 Survey Comment: “I believe people should be encouraged to physically move themselves as much as possible.  It would be good for individuals’ physical and mental well-being as well as good for the planet in reducing climate-changing emissions from vehicles.”

---

House District 22

Representative Joe Miro (Incumbent)
Candidate for State Representative (22nd District)
Party: Republican
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree
2016 Survey Comment: “I voted yes on May 3, 2016 for SS2 for SB 130 [the Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act].”
Legislative Record:
Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act: “Yes” vote
Walkable Bikeable Delaware: Co-sponsor

Ms. Lanette Edwards
Candidate for State Representative (22nd District)
Party: Democrat
2016 Survey Answers: Agree • Agree

Mr. Bernard August
Candidate for State Representative (22nd District)
Party: Green
2016 Survey Answers: No reply

---

House District 24

Representative Ed Osienski (Incumbent)
Candidate for State Representative (24th District)
Party: Democrat
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree
2016 Survey Comment: “I was pleased to be the House prime sponsor of the Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act.”
Legislative Record:
Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act: Prime Sponsor in Delaware House of Representatives
Walkable Bikeable Delaware: Co-sponsor

Mr. Tim Conrad
Candidate for State Representative (24th District)
Party: Republican
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Agree

---

House District 25

Representative John Kowalko (Incumbent)
Candidate for State Representative (25th District)
Party: Democrat
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree
Legislative Record:
Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act: “Yes” vote
Walkable Bikeable Delaware: “Yes” vote

Mr. Michael Nagorski
Candidate for State Representative (14th District)
Party: Republican
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree
2016 Survey Comment: “To further and encourage adoption of walkable, bikeable and transit-friendly communities, I am also seeking a ban from smoking on our trails.”

---

House District 29

Representative Trey Paradee (Incumbent)
Candidate for State Representative (29th District)
Party: Democrat
2016 Survey Answers: No reply
Legislative Record:
Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act: “Yes” vote
Walkable Bikeable Delaware: “Yes” vote

Ms. Janice Gallagher
Candidate for State Representative (29th District)
Party: Republican
2016 Survey Answers: No reply

Ms. Ruth James
Candidate for State Representative (29th District)
Party: Green
2016 Survey Answers: No reply

---

House District 30

Representative William Outten (Incumbent)
Candidate for State Representative (30th District)
Party: Republican
2016 Survey Answers: Agree • Agree
Legislative Record:
Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act: “Yes” vote
Walkable Bikeable Delaware: “Yes” vote

Mr. Charles Groce
Candidate for State Representative (30th District)
Party: Democrat
2016 Survey Answers: Neither Agree or Disagree • Neither Agree or Disagree

---

House District 31

Representative Sean Lynn (Incumbent)
Candidate for State Representative (31st District)
Party: Democrat
2016 Survey Answers: No reply
Legislative Record:
Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act: “Yes” vote

Ms. Jean Dowding
Candidate for State Representative (31st District)
Party: Republican
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree
2016 Survey Comment: “I would support state and local governments partnering to encourage the development of walkable, bikeable, and transit friendly communities. As a Realtor, I have first-hand experience in working with developers who build communities that accommodate a diverse demographic populace that includes a variety of home styles from townhomes to single family homes that accommodate 55+ senior residents who are down-sizing and first-time homebuyers with a growing family in the same community. These emerging communities need the housing and access to transportation and recreation in the community where they live.”

---

House District 32

Representative Andria Bennett (Incumbent)
Candidate for State Representative (32nd District)
Party: Democrat
2016 Survey Answers: No reply
Legislative Record:
Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act: “Yes” vote

Ms. Patricia Foltz
Candidate for State Representative (32nd District)
Party: Republican
2016 Survey Answers: No reply

---

House District 33

Representative Charles Postles
Candidate for State Representative (33rd District)
Party: Republican
2016 Survey Answers: No reply

Ms. Karen Williams
Candidate for State Representative (33rd District)
Party: Democrat
2016 Survey Answers: No reply

---

House District 34

Representative Lyndon Yearick (Incumbent)
Candidate for State Representative (34th District)
Party: Republican
2016 Survey Answers: Agree • Agree
Legislative Record:
Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act: “Yes” vote

Mr. David Henderson
Candidate for State Representative (34th District)
Party: Democrat
2016 Survey Answers: Agree • Agree

---

House District 35

Representative Dave Wilson (Incumbent)
Candidate for State Representative (35th District)
Party: Republican
2016 Survey Answers: No reply
Legislative Record:
Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act: “No” vote
Walkable Bikeable Delaware: Prime Sponsor in Delaware House of Representatives

Mr. Gary Wolfe
Candidate for State Representative (35th District)
Party: Democrat
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree
2016 Survey Comment: “I may not be the bike enthusiast, but I believe we need to work more on transit-friendly communities particularly in Sussex county.”

---

House District 37

Representative Ruth Briggs King (Incumbent)
Candidate for State Representative (37th District)
Party: Republican
2016 Survey Answers: Strongly Agree • Strongly Agree
2016 Survey Comment: “I was a sponsor of the bill and worked through two years to have an acceptable bill.  My efforts and my votes have been consistent.  I ride the roads and walk on a daily basis.  We need other road improvements in many rural areas since we lack shoulders.  We will need to balance our wants and needs with the challenging revenue outlook in Delaware.”
Legislative Record:
Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act: Co-sponsor
Walkable Bikeable Delaware: Co-sponsor

Ms. Paulette Rappa
Candidate for State Representative (37th District)
Party: Democrat
2016 Survey Answers: Agree • Agree

---

House District 41

Representative Rich Collins (Incumbent)
Candidate for State Representative (41st District)
Party: Republican
2016 Survey Answers: No reply
Legislative Record:
Healthy and Transit-Friendly Development Act (“No” vote)

Mr. Bradley Connor
Candidate for State Representative(41st District)
Party: Democrat
2016 Survey Answers: No reply

---