Obama selects Biden as running mate

To understand public sector financing you’ve got to wade pretty deep into numbers. You’d better have a calculator handy.

But in this year’s race for New Castle County Executive you’re likely to need more tools at your disposal – a dictionary, some history books and perhaps a few over-the-counter pain killers. It’s enough to give you a headache.

For Chris Coons and Tom Gordon, each seeking another term as New Castle County executive, Monday’s debate in Hockessin was the latest installment in a long-running political rivalry. But for Paul Clark and William Dunn, both candidates for county council president, it may have been only the opening chapter.

Until recently, Carl Colantuono was a supporter of New Castle County Councilman John Cartier, but made an 11th hour decision to run for the 8th District seat himself.

Brandywine Hundred’s Robert Valihura is running for a sixth term in the General Assembly. Valihura will face Democrat Dennis Williams in November.

Dennis Williams wants to be the next 10th District Representative, and said his business background gives would give him insight as to how best address the state’s financial challenges. He will face incumbent Robert Valihura, a Republican, in November.

The Community News, in cooperation with the Greater Hockessin Area Development Association, will hold a candidates forum August 18, and wants you – our reader – to submit questions.

Pike Creek Councilman Timothy Sheldon is running for a second term on New Castle Council, but not before first considering a run for the General Assembly.

Dr. Michael Katz says he has a prescription for change for the General Assembly. Katz is one of five candidates running for the 4th Senate District seat, being vacated by Charlie Copeland, who is running for lieutenant governor.

Dee Durham called her decision to run for state senate a natural segue from her years as a preservationist. She is one of five candidates running for the 4th Senate District seat being vacated by lieutenant government hopeful Charles Copeland.

Paul Clark is seeking a second term as New Castle County Council President, saying he wants to continue in his role as a full-time legislator to help guide the county through tough financial times.

Pike Creek entrepreneur Patricia Creedon had filed to be the Democratic candidate in the 21st Representative District, the seat being vacated by the retiring Pam Maier (R-Drummond Hill).

Longtime civic leader William Dunn announced Saturday he is running for New Castle County President, calling over-development the central issue in his campaign.

Liane Sorenson, a Republican, is running for her fifth term as state senator from the 6th District, which stretches from her hometown of Yorklyn south to encompass most of Newark. She will face the winner of the September 9 Democratic Primary between John Mackenzie and Mike Terranova.

Like many candidates for the state legislature, Christina School Board member John Mackenzie said he is running to help improve the public education system. But unlike the increasing number of candidates and public officials calling for the consolidation of the state's 19 school districts, Mackenzie thinks the way to get more money in the classroom is to enhance local control.

Former New Castle County Police Officer Michael Terranova is running for State Senate. The Hockessin Democrat, who now works as an instructor at Delaware Technical and Community College, hopes to represent the 6th Senate District in Dover, which stretches from Newark to Yorklyn.

Diana McWilliams can’t believe it’s election time again. McWilliams, running for a third term in eastern Brandywine Hundred’s 6th Representative District, said it feels like only yesterday that she declared her first run for office at Fox Point State Park.

Rep. Pam Maier, a 12-year legislator from Pike Creek, is retiring as her family prepares to move to Colorado this fall. New Castle County Councilman Timothy Sheldon, a Democrat, is considering a run at the open seat.

Bryon Short, running for his first full term in the state House of Representatives, is set to face a familiar opponent.

Short, a builder who’s heading several Wilmington redevelopment projects, will again face Republican Jim Bowers, who he defeated just last April in a special election following the resignation of Wayne Smith.

Jim Bowers is taking a second crack at the Delaware House of Representatives, and this time around he hopes a longer campaign season will lead to a better result for him. Bowers, a Republican, is challenging Bryon Short, who defeated him last April in a special election following the March resignation of Wayne Smith.

Karen Weldin Stewart, a former insurance receiver and most recently a legislative aide for state Sen. Harris McDowell, is again a candidate for Insurance Commissioner. It is Stewart’s third bid to be the state’s top insurance regulator. In 2000, she lost to Republican Donna Lee Williams, and in 2004 lost the Democratic primary to Matt Denn.