By Jonathan Starkey
Wilmington, Del. – Chip Flowers, who ran on a platform that called for fundamentally revamping the state treasurer’s office, won all three counties Tuesday in the Democratic primary race against incumbent Velda Jones-Potter, who was appointed by Gov. Jack Markell in 2009.
Flowers won with 54.3 percent of the vote, with 34,721 Democrats voting statewide.
“I think this is a validation of the message and people have an appetite for change. They want this office to do more,” Flowers said Tuesday night. “We ran on ideas. We stayed on message. And as you see, the people want to give us a chance.”
Brian Selander, a spokes-man for Markell, said, “We congratulate Chip Flowers on his win and look forward to a strong Democratic ticket top to bottom.” Markell did not officially endorse either candidate, but has praised Jones-Potter’s experience.
State Sen. Colin Bonini, R-Dover South, who will face Flowers in the November general election, said he’s looking forward to the campaign.
“I think it will be a good contrast,” said Bonini, who is known as a penny-pincher.
Flowers, 35, said he did not run to use the treasurer’s office as a steppingstone, but it’s worth considering that the office has been a political springboard for the latest generation of star Delaware Democrats.
U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., who was governor from 1993-2001, and Markell got their political starts in the treasurer’s office.
It’s unclear how a controversy surrounding Jones-Potter’s consulting contract with the city of Wilmington affected her campaign, or contributed to her loss.
The News Journal first reported last month that Jones-Potter has been paid $108,400 in consulting fees by the city since 2007 to teach leadership skills to city employees.
Jones-Potter — who is married to Wilmington City Councilman Charles Potter Jr. — defended her work, but said she wouldn’t renew the contract if elected.
In the end, it may have been their views about the function of the state treasurer that drew a line between Flowers and Jones-Potter.
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