Treasurer wants to remain in state job
3 candidates are now campaigning
By Ginger Gibson
The race for state treasurer got a little more crowded Tuesday when a third candidate tossed her hat into the ring.
Democrat Velda Jones Potter, who was appointed to the seat after Gov. Jack Markell vacated it, said she will seek the office next year. When appointed, Potter said she wouldn’t run for the office in 2010.
“When I was appointed, I was very specific in wanting to be doing the job that I was asked to come in to to do,” Potter said. “I didn’t have a preconceived notion about what the future would hold.”
Potter will face a primary against Wilmington corporate attorney Chip Flowers. Flowers said when he filed that he expected the seat to be open based on Potter’s previous statements. But Flowers said he’s looking forward to a primary on the issues.
Flowers added that he hoped other elected Democrats and the state party will let the voters decide and not not endorse or fund either campaign.
Potter said her decision to run is based on seeing the projects being undertaken in the office, like trying to eliminate the number of paper checks that are written.
“I’m really excited about the work that I’m doing and looking forward to the opportunity to continue,” Potter said. “Our vision is talking about revamping this office and making it relevant to the people of the state.”
Flowers said his campaign hinges on wanting to transform the treasurer’s office into an economic development engine.
Republican state Sen. Colin Bonini is also vying for the job and remains without a primary opponent.
