Candidate name: Nnamdi Chukwuocha

Party: Democratic

Age: 51

Hometown: Wilmington

Political experience: State representative, 1st District, since 2018; Wilmington city councilman, 1st District, 2012-18.

Professional experience: Licensed master social worker, with 30-plus years’ administrative and direct service in schools and communities.

What uniquely qualifies you for this office?

As a community-based social worker, I’ve worked hands-on, addressing many of the quality-of-life issues that impact our district and state. I was also the former president for the 1st District Neighborhood Planning Council and have been civically involved in my district and city for over 25 years.

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

The top three issues facing the 1st District are education, community and economic development, and gun/community violence.

What would be your top priority if elected?

My top priority remains to address the educational inequities that exist within the 1st District and the city of Wilmington. This issue not only impacts our workforce but also is a major contributing factor to the gun violence.

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

If I could change one state law or policy, it would be to undo the Neighborhood Schools Act of 2000, which effectively created the high-needs, high-poverty, racially identifiable, low-performing schools within the city of Wilmington.

What can Delaware do about its workforce issues?

Quality investments are needed in many areas, mainly education funding. We have to begin to look at our schools as the incubators for our future workforce.

What, if any, gun laws would you change?

Firearms-related laws that I would like to change are directly related to stronger penalties for straw purchases and for the possession of illegal firearms by individuals who are prohibited.

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

I will continue to advocate and support reproductive health care and ensuring that a woman’s choice remains the law in our state.

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

I do not support the move to the MAP. I believe that there are many challenges that need to be addressed. I would support a delay in implementation of the new contract until many of the unresolved issues have been addressed.