DE Educators Back Coons
The DE State Education Association will announce their endorsement later today of New Castle Co. Exec. Chris Coons (D) over Rep. Mike Castle (R) -- a notable shift for an organization that has backed Castle in recent elections.
"We have already seen people that previously supported the Congressman financially donate to Chris," Coons campaign spokesman Dave Hoffman said. "With this endorsement, we are seeing political support gravitate our way as well."
In '06 and '08, DSEA endorsed Castle for public office, characterizing him as a defender of public education and a "bridge-building" GOPer. But recently, the conservative lawmaker has displeased the education group by voting no on the stimulus bill and health care reform.
DE was one of 2 states to win the first round of Race to the Top, a federal grant competition authorized by the Recovery Act.
"This endorsement is another illustration of the support I have seen across the state during this campaign," Coons said. "The DSEA and all Delawareans want someone to bring fresh leadership, innovative ideas, and a new way of doing business to Washington."
"Chris Coons has experience dealing with the tough decisions around budget cuts and he has proven that fiscal constraint can be laced with contemporary management and compassion," DSEA president Diane Donahue is planning to say at the news conference later today. "We need someone that we do not have to move to our position because Chris Coons is already there walking the road beside us."
Still, Coons has quite a ways to go to catch up to Castle financially.
So far this cycle, Castle has raised nearly $2.2M whereas Coons raked in about $651K.
That makes sense. I love the comments.