Candidate name: Bill Alexander

Party: Republican

Age: 60

Hometown: Middletown

Political experience: None. First-time political candidate but longtime public servant.

Professional experience: Instructor for Delaware Technical Community College’s Criminal Justice Department (2012-present). Small-business owner, Interstate Training Alliance (2013-present). Vice president of operations, Gettier Security & Investigations (2010-12). Delaware State Police (1985-2010), retired at the rank of captain. U.S. Army/Army National Guard (1981-2006, combined active and Reserve), retired at the rank of colonel.

What uniquely qualifies you for this office?

I am not a politician. Rather, I consider myself a public servant who strongly desires to serve the people and be available for them 24/7. My experiences as a Delaware state trooper, U.S. Army veteran, college instructor, youth sports coach and mentor, homeowners association president and as a father/family man have given me a strong sense of service. Now, I want to serve the people in the 12th Senate District as if we are all family. I don’t care if someone is a Democrat, Republican, independent, Libertarian, etc. All people should be served equally. We need to return to a real “public servant” model for elected officials, and I will be point man on that mission when elected, in alliance with those elected officials who already serve the people honorably. I will not be bought by special interest groups and political action committees, and will always make “we, the people” my priority.

What are the top three issues for this office in your view?

All three are equally important. They are not listed in order. 1.) Education: Our schools are not in need of improvement; they’re in need of major repair. Our kids need better, especially since Delaware has the lowest average SAT scores in the U.S. (995) and when our students’ proficiency rates in math (27%) and English skills (42%) are well below the national average. The fact is, we have some of the best teachers and administrators in the world working right here in Delaware, so the issue is solvable. The problem is that those teachers and administrators are not empowered by existing education leaders to allow them to give input to help us become excellent in education. So here’s my plan — during my initial days in office, I will appoint a task force of teachers, principals, assistant principals, guidance counselors, paraprofessionals and active parents. Let those who know the most about education (from being in the field with our students every day) tell us what should be done and empower their decisions. The solution to making Delaware’s education system excellent evolves around letting our outstanding educators teach the way they should be able to teach, with a curriculum that really educates. 2.) Crime and highway safety: The crime rate has increased, and so have dangerous driving behaviors. Both jeopardize our safety. We’ve been weak on criminal prosecutions, soft on traffic penalties for serious violations and deficient in rehabilitative efforts of offenders. My solution involves these steps: holding people accountable for their actions, instead of making excuses or cutting deals. When 85% of serious gun violations are plea-bargained or dismissed, we’re not sending a clear message. Instilling true rehabilitative efforts for offenders and reducing recidivism through job training. The Department of Correction has some excellent rehabilitative programs (including a partnership with Delaware Tech, where offenders can earn a college degree and/or become qualified in trade skills). There is a clear correlation between viable employment and the offense rate, and we now have the means to help offenders make a better life for themselves. In effect, incarceration of offenders can be a true rehabilitative effort and turning point, and not just a penalty. Laws that have impact, which will wake up would-be offenders, along with follow-through prosecution with the courts, instead of widespread plea bargaining on serious offenses. Renewed respect for the police, instead of tearing them down as an institution. The police-community partnership is a win-win situation that reduces crime and creates a better quality of life for all. These forenamed points are key to the solution, and I will lead the charge in accomplishing them when elected. Our safety depends on it. 3.) Taxes and fees: Taxes and fees have increased, while the cost of goods has also increased. This means less money in our pockets. Our state saw a $1.3 billion surplus, yet we got only $300 returned to us. Moreover, six tax cut bills were proposed, but not one of them passed! Time to give back that money to those who put it there, which is “we, the people.” Also, Delaware’s existing progressive tax rate is unfair to people who work extra hard to support themselves and a family. Right now, when you have multiple sources of income or work an abundance of overtime, you not only get taxed more — you get put into a higher tax bracket. That’s like a penalty for hard work, and it’s clearly unfair. We need to do something for the working person, such as adopting a flat tax (which nine other states have) to make it fair across the board. Bottom line — I will work to ensure we keep more of what we earn.

What would be your top priority if elected?

The people of the 12th Senate District and the people of Delaware will always be my top priority. I clearly mean all people. That is my center, and everything I do legislatively and servicewise will be geared toward “we, the people” and not special interests or personal agendas.

If you could change one state policy or law, what would it be?

We need to deal with the rate and seriousness of child abuse in Delaware and stop playing politics. According to the Child Protection Accountability Commission, Delaware has recorded six child abuse deaths, and 63 near-deaths, as of Aug. 17, and that rate is expected to “far surpass” 2021’s child abuse deaths, per the report. Despite pleas from the commission for the General Assembly to pass legislation with increased penalties, the legislature has merely pointed to “increased funding” for the Office of the Child Advocate, as opposed to tougher laws or stronger enforcement of offenders. This is unacceptable. When elected, I will do three things within my initial days in office — Examine existing laws to determine if the consequences for offenders are appropriate or need to be heightened. Introduce legislation that establishes a new section of Title 11 (Delaware Criminal Code) that specifically focuses on crimes against children. Ensure that there is a zero-tolerance policy in place for offenders by working with the Attorney General’s Office. Protecting our children needs to be priority No. 1, all politics aside. On my watch, I vow to ensure all of our citizens, especially our children, are safe.

What can Delaware do about its workforce issues?

Create a fair system where incorporating and conducting business in Delaware is more attractive. This will create more jobs, with great pay, which will attract more workers.

What, if any, gun laws would you change?

The alleged lack of strength of our gun laws is not the issue. Rather, it’s the lack of prosecution of these violent offenders. The proverbial “bark without bite” is what is transpiring right now from a policy perspective, stemming from the Attorney General’s Office. If weapons offenses were vehemently prosecuted, we clearly would not have the frequency of gun crimes we’re presently seeing. Instead of addressing the real problems, this past General Assembly took the stance of violating the Second Amendment rights of its citizens by passing various pieces of legislation that are bound to be overturned by the Supreme Court. All they did was lessen the ability of a lawful citizen to defend him/herself, and their families, from extreme violence. Whether you support gun rights or oppose gun rights, the actions of our legislature in violating any of our constitutional rights should be a wake-up call that is answered by everyone at the polls on Nov. 8.

How would you protect or change abortion rights in the state?

The General Assembly codified the original Roe v. Wade decision back in 2017. The recent Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022) returned the allowability of abortions back to each individual state. Accordingly, abortion is legal in Delaware at the present time. Such being stated, and in the interest of full disclosure — I am pro-life, and I also believe that, in cases of rape, incest or the health of the mother and/or baby, that a choice of terminating the pregnancy should be between a woman, her doctor and her God.

Do you support the State Employee Benefits Committee’s move to the Medicare Advantage plan for state retirees? Why?

No. In speaking with numerous retirees about this, and from the research I did on this important matter, there are potentially negative impacts with the program. For example, a multitude of otherwise routine procedures will require preauthorization from Highmark. Additionally, there will inevitably be longer processes for approval of necessary services and potential denials that will seriously impact lifesaving procedures for pensioners. It’s seemingly apparent that this unpopular (but cost-cutting) “health plan” for retirees was deceptively hidden from lawmakers during the rushed budget process. The state of Delaware needs to make this right immediately.