You won’t find political lawn signs or bumper stickers on my car — I don’t generally endorse candidates, unless there is an extraordinary reason, as there is this year, to make an exception. Let us consider the contest for the Kent County recorder of deeds between the Republican candidate Gene Thornton and the Democratic candidate D.J. Cox.
While both are candidates of political parties, politics is not the point, as there is no liberal or conservative way to record deeds. Friendly service and the efficient filing and retrieving of information are the responsibilities of that office, period.
So which candidate deserves your vote? Let’s give both candidates the benefit of the doubt — and assume both capable of offering friendly service. The question remains, then, of qualifications — what do their websites and campaign materials tell us about their backgrounds?
Gene Thornton, we learn, served for 27 years in the armed services as a records keeper, has a master’s degree in public administration, is certified in public recordkeeping from American University and served 13 years in the Kent County Planning Commission. If elected, she promises quick replies to all calls, to help homeowners associations and to eliminate unnecessary fees.
D.J. Cox’s website notes that he attended public safety courses at Delaware Technical Community College and was accepted into the Delaware State Police Academy but was unable to continue because of an injury. He is presently a commercial trucker and pledges, if elected, to continue to follow in his predecessor’s footsteps — though he does not describe additional details.
Summary: Mr. Cox might be a nice person, but one wonders why the Kent County Democratic Party thought he was qualified. Assuming his website is accurate, D.J. has no training in recordkeeping or public service. His only asset for this job is the “D” next to his name, and if that is all it takes, we are on our way to the electoral mediocrity of one-party rule.
Possibly, Mr. Cox can succeed in on-the-job training and run the office, but what message will a victory by Mr. Cox send? That, in Kent County, anyone can run for any position if they are of the right party and have a nice family picture to put up on roadsides?
That is why I have decided to publicly endorse Gene Thornton, and I hope enough true Democrats and independents join Republicans in this case, telling all that, in Kent County, experience and background counts.
Larry Koch
Magnolia
