The ongoing saga of Bethany Hall-Long and her “funny business” with campaign finances is like watching a soap opera—one that not even the most desperate reality show producer could script. Where’s the drama? The intrigue? The betrayal? Instead, we’re left with just disappointment, and possibly a few eye rolls, including my own.
As if that weren’t enough, the questionable antics in the Delaware Elections Commissioner’s office have left citizens feeling like they’re on a bad carnival ride—one that should definitely have been shut down long ago. You know things are dire when your election process inspires as much confidence as a three-legged dog in a race.
Attorney General Kathy Jennings has weighed in, describing the situation as a “spirit violation” of campaign laws. Now, that’s a creative way to say “we found some shady stuff, but don’t worry, nothing’s gonna happen about it.” She’s opting for legislative changes instead of courtroom drama, presumably because, you know, Delaware needs the fun of watching its legislators stumble through changes like toddlers in a candy store.
Anyone with a memory span longer than goldfish might recall the “pay-to-play” debacle that graced us during the Minner administration, a lovely chapter in our history where campaign finance was examined by a team of investigators for two long years. Yes, two whole years of soul-searching, which produced the illustrious Veasey Report—otherwise known as Delaware’s lengthy apology letter to its citizens for letting things spiral into chaos.
The report featured a wide array of recommendations, including creating an Office of Inspector General. Now, I’m sure there are voices in the legislature that find this idea a tad excessive for our small state, but have you checked the chaos index lately? Spoiler: it’s not looking good! Perhaps it’s high time to revisit this report—not that the legislators actually took an extended lunch break from all their other pressing matters, like reviewing their LinkedIn profiles.
Over the last ten years, some half-hearted attempts at fixing campaign finance laws have made headlines. Yet here we are again, unearthing loopholes that should have been sealed tighter than a jar of pickles at a family BBQ. Representative Eric Morrison is gallantly trying to plug these gaps with House Bills 291 and 292, which are currently in legislative purgatory, commonly known as “the process.”
So, what’s our action plan here? Let’s look at our list:
- Revisit the Veasey Report like it’s an old family photo album
- Consider Attorney General Jennings’s suggestions before they become retro
- Push those bills through with the urgency of a kid with a full bladder
- Seriously review the Department of Elections and its commissioner like they’re a spicy meme
- Finally, toss the idea of an Inspector General into the discussion like it’s the mystery ingredient in Grandma’s secret recipe
While some progress has been made, it’s hard to shake off the feeling we’re still grappling with issues that brought the state to its knees over a decade ago. Delaware’s campaign finance laws seem more tangled than a Christmas light string after a long holiday season.
In conclusion: Delaware, let us fix this before our campaign finance issues end up as punchlines in a stand-up special!
Bill Bowden
Ocean View
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
