By Glenn Rolfe

SEAFORD — There will be a municipal election in Seaford this year, and it’s a double-header.

Four-term Mayor David Genshaw faces a challenge from former City Councilwoman Pat Jones, while incumbent Matt MacCoy and Stacey Spicer are candidates for an open three-year term on council.

The filing deadline was Feb. 25. These contested races will go before voters April 16 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at City Hall, 414 High St.

This is Ms. Jones’ second attempt to become the first female mayor in Seaford’s history. During her 12 years on council, she ran for mayor in 2012, losing to William Bennett, who subsequently relinquished the post when he became electric commissioner.

“I have run for the mayoral seat previously and was not successful. Ten years later, and having served for 12 years on council, I was approached by several constituents about the opportunity to run for mayor again, as a woman,” said Ms. Jones. “There are some very strong opinions about change in the city. I listened to some of the concerns. I had no intention on running again, except with so much going on, we felt like another term of the current mayor being unopposed was unacceptable.”

She filed Feb. 22. Mayor Genshaw filed for reelection earlier this month.

“We just feel like there should be an opportunity for someone else to serve,” Ms. Jones said. “I feel like personally that I would be willing to serve, and I am very capable of serving because I served well as a councilperson and believe that I can carry the city forward.”

Mayor Genshaw joined city government as a councilman in 2012. He became acting mayor in summer 2013, when Mr. Bennett vacated the post, and was elected to his current spot in 2014. He has served two-year terms ever since.

“In my time being part of city government, we have spent and invested a lot of time and energy around changing the culture and focused on economic development, growing and retaining business and creating a vision for future growth,” said Mayor Genshaw. “Some of that is coming to be. It is starting to come into play. With the help of many members of City Council and with great city leadership and city employees, a lot of that is starting to happen. Along with good partnerships with the county and the state, the governor and our federal representation, it’s truly been a great team effort.”

Ms. Jones said her campaign is based on accountability and transparency.

“Although I have been in (Seaford’s) archives for 10 years, I still am very capable of leading. In fact, that is one of my major qualities, is leadership,” Ms. Jones said. “One thing I have learned in leadership is, I am not in leadership to be served. I am in leadership to serve. I believe that part of an elected role should be at the top of the list.”

Ms. Jones retired with 30 years in the banking industry. She now works as a caregiver for children of essential employees. She also is pastor of Heaven Bound Ministries, which is nearing its 17th year as a church on Front Street.

Additionally, Ms. Jones is active in leadership of AFRAM, an African American festival that will return in August for its 25th edition after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
She looks forward to the upcoming race.

“Certainly, I would make history (as the first female mayor in Seaford),” said Ms. Jones. “And being Black History Month, I figured this is a good time to make some systematic changes in our society, this being one of them.”

Mayor Genshaw is in his 30th year working full time in transportation sales for the Canadian-based company, TFI International.

He said he’s proud to be a spoke in the wheel of Seaford’s development.

“I think part of my role, and anybody’s role as mayor, part of that is building those relationships with your council and those in government all around you, in supporting each other to make these things happen,” said Mayor Genshaw. “It has been a lot of fun to watch the city change and grow and position itself for future growth. I love being a part of that, and I’d like to continue.”

Editor’s note: A preview on the Seaford council race will be published in an upcoming edition of the Delaware State News.