Category — Field

(Ed note: This is a post from Stephanie, one of our hardworking Spring Semester interns in the Field Department.)

I first met Jack Markell back in 2006 when he was looking to get re-elected as Delaware’s State Treasurer. Through the University of Delaware College Democrats, I met Jack at a meet-and-greet at Grotto’s pizza on Main Street. I was immediately impressed with his passionate sound and sensed his dedication to the people of Delaware. Working with the College Democrats, I went to a couple of fairs and walks to act as visibility for Mr. Markell, while proudly sporting my “I Back Jack” T-shirt.

Stephanie is in the middle with the blue “I Back Jack” sign outside of the News Journal’s Education Debate.

When the opportunity presented itself to become an intern on Jack’s campaign for governor, I had to apply. I knew right away that I wanted to be a part of and help out in the campaign for a man who’d caught my attention just a couple of years ago. Working for his office in Newark has done so much to open up my eyes to how a campaign works and all of the effort that goes in to it. I had opportunities to be at press conferences when Jack revealed his education plans and followed up with the issue by going to the first Gubernational Democratic debate on education between Jack Markell and John Carney. I felt he had a truly remarkable showing at the debate.

This internship has shown me that the behind-the-scenes work in a campaign is not always exciting. Making phone calls, sending out letters and knocking on doors is not something that everyone would want to do with their time. However, the end result is rewarding. Seeing a good turn out at a rally, hearing positive remarks after a debate, and registering more people to vote before the deadline for the September primary makes all of the effort us interns put in very worthwhile. To learn that with every so-many hundred calls we make or people we contact, can make the slightest difference in the upcoming election is impressive – at least to me it is!

Because of this internship, I’ve come to appreciate everyone that is behind a candidate, working to win the election. Learning the process of campaigning with this office is not something I would ever learn in any Political Science course I take. In particular, Delaware politics is extremely unique in that with such a small state, every vote counts just that much more. I am honored to have had the opportunity to work for such an outstanding candidate at Jack Markell and everyone at his office – the staff has taught me more about elections than I could ever have learned from reading in a textbook.

Over 70 fired-up volunteers attended a Jack Pack meeting at the Iguana Grill in Milton on Tuesday. Clad in Jack Markell t-shirts and buttons, the Jack Packers listened as Jack shared his vision for the state, cheering enthusiastically when he told the crowd, “It may not be my turn, but it is my time.”

And there is no better time than now for every Delawarean to join the momentum of Jack’s bold vision for change. For more information about the Jack Pack, call our office at 283-1420.

Jack continued his “You Talk, I Listen” tour on Saturday with a visit to the Harvest Years Senior Center in Camden where dozens of local residents gathered to hear Jack share his vision for the state.

Jack reiterated the need for us to plan for the future influx of older residents to Kent and Sussex counties, and our need to be ready for the transportation and healthcare costs associated with the changing demographics in the state.

In August of 2007, Jack released “Delaware: Facing Forward,” a report citing the changing demographics in Delaware. The research in the report confirms that we need to take a bolder, innovative approach at tackling issues if we want to make our great state even better.

A large, loud crowd filled the Aetna Fire Hall Wednesday evening to cheer Jack on at a hometown Newark rally, showing their support for his campaign and their enthusiasm for his bold vision for a brighter future for all Delawareans.

Student volunteers show their support for Jack at the rally.

Jack took a few trips down Memory Lane with his parents, several Newark High classmates, former teachers and his baseball coach in the audience. Several elected officials — Sen. David Sokola, Rep. Terry Schooley and New Castle County Councilwoman Stephanie McClellan — turned out. The crowd was fired up by Jack’s winning performance in last week’s Education Debate and the plans he has released for world-class schools, health care for all Delawareans that can never be taken away and spurring the economy and creating 25,000 high-wage jobs in his first term.

Jack sang Happy Birthday to former NHS classmate Sue Coffing

This Sunday, Jack traveled to Middletown for another round of meet and greets in his “You Talk, I Listen” series. Since the tour kicked off several months ago at the Kingwood Community Center in Wilmington, Jack has spoken to hundreds of Delawareans up and down the state, including last weekend’s energetic 24-hour tour of Sussex County (with a brief stop across the line in Kent at the Milford Diner).

The first Middletown tour stop was at the home of Debbie and Clay Heaton in the Nautical Cove neighborhood where friends, neighbors and local residents sat down with Jack to compare views on transportation and education. When several attendees expressed concerns about rising health care and insurance costs, Jack described his plan to provide comprehensive, affordable health insurance to all Delawareans.

Susan Love hosted the next event at her Middletown Village home where approximately 15 people gathered in her living room to meet with Jack. The topics on the table ranged from local land use issues to economic development. After a woman remarked on the challenges she faced opening a small business, Jack explained how his economic development plan, TIME – Turning Ideas into Meaningful Employment – will stimulate and encourage entrepreneurial growth and create 25,000 new, high-paying jobs in his first term.

Jack speaks at the Campbell-King residence

The third meet and greet at the home of Charles and Steve Campbell-King, just a few minutes off Main St. in the Lakeside neighborhood, featured a well-attended crowd eager to discuss minority rights issues, among other topics.

The last stop of the tour was at in the Misty Vale neighborhood at the home of Jason Scott. Even though it was the last of four back-to-back events, Jack enthusiastically laid out his ideas to improve education – from pre-school through post-secondary higher ed – throughout the state, citing that an educated workforce was the best foundation to improve the state’s economy.

As Jack continues his “You Talk, I Listen” tour of Delaware, he wants to hear from each Delawarean. If you are interested in setting up an event, please call our office (302) 283-1420 or send us an e-mail at campaign@markell.org.

This weekend, Jack Markell continued his “You Talk, I Listen” series with a whirlwind tour of Sussex County.

On Friday, Jack kicked off his tour in Lewes at The Studio on 24. Local artist Deb Appleby and Karen Harris, who owns the GigaBeach computer store in Rehoboth Beach, hosted 65 people eager to ask Jack about his candidacy and vision for the state. Wind power, health care and education were among the issues discussed.

Later that evening, Jack stopped by the annual Shrimp Feast at the Nassau Fire Hall where he was one of the only men to be seen squeezing through the picnic table aisles packed with women enjoying a girls night out.

After greeting hundreds of women at the Shrimp Feast, Jack headed up to Georgetown for the men’s parallel Oyster Eat. Jack spent the rest of the evening meeting local residents and enjoying the festivities of the Oyster Eat, which he claimed to be tame in comparison to the women-only Shrimp Feast in Lewes.

The sun had barely risen on Saturday morning by the time Jack arrived at his next event at 6:30. Jack continued his tour with a semi-annual meet and greet at the Milford Diner, which is just over the county line in Kent. He discussed concerns such as farmland preservation and economic development over a plate of French toast and coffee.

At 9:00, Jack headed up the street for another round of breakfast and tough questions at a “You Talk, I Listen” meet and greet at the home of Trina and Oliver Gumbs. Dozens of local people spent their Saturday morning in the Gumbs’ sunroom to share with Jack their views on the direction of Delaware.

Later that afternoon, after he spoke at a well-attended event in Georgetown where issues regarding the environment and technology dominated the discussion, Jack made his last stop in Rehoboth for a meet and greet.

It had been a whirlwind trip, but Jack ended his “You Talk, I Listen” tour of Sussex County at the home of Meyer Persow and Daniel Meloy just as it had begun 24 hours earlier - by answering the tough questions he believes deserve an honest answer.

Jack wants to continue meeting Delawareans, if you would like to set up a “You Talk, I Listen” event you can call our office (302)-283-1420 or send us an e-mail at campaign@markell.org.

Jack Markell spoke to approximately 100 members of the National and Active Retired Federal Employees of Sussex County at the 1776 Steak House in Rehoboth on Thursday afternoon. Jack shared his vision for the state by answering questions from the crowd, which was triple the expected number, on issues ranging from renewable energy to the economy and his new plan on crime prevention and public safety. Jack spent a lot of time talking about his plans for getting Delaware’s economy going, health care and protecting the environment. The group was especially interested in a letter Jack had sent to the state’s top environmental official and leading legislators calling on them to improve pollution monitoring in Sussex County and the rest of the state. Jack said in the letter that measuring how much pollution is in our air, water and soil could help Delaware further reduce its cancer rates.

We traveled all over the state this past Saturday. In the morning, we were in
Wilmington, for the return of the Grand Prix. In addition to the race, a massive bicycle parade was staged in the streets. Jack was asked by the Grand Prix organizers to Grand Marshall the parade of over 500 bikers.

Joined by his kids, Molly and Michael, and their friends, Jack led the start of the parade, finishing up in front of the Delaware History Museum. Riders continued on, throughout the streets of Wilmington, creating a near-critical-mass-like event. It was great to see so many people out (even in the hot weather) with their families, enjoying yet another new activity to come to Wilmington.

After the parade, Jack went up on stage with organizers from the Prix, Mayor Baker, and Jason Danner from KBS (who also rode in the Tour de Delaware!) to hand out a check to the largest group of riders.

We then stopped to congratulate the winners of the Grand Prix, and watch some beach cruiser rally racers fly up and down the street at near mach-speeds.

With so many people out on the streets, it seemed to me like the new city branding unveiled this weekend is spot on; Wilmington really is in the middle of it all.

Following the Grand Prix, we headed down to Felton, where we swung by Paskey Farm. Talk about cool, there were outdoor pool tables, railroad cars, swings, and all sorts of vintage signs on the property, along with dozens of picnic tables.

It was the perfect place to have the Central Delaware Democrats Club Picnic. There was some great pulled pork, hamburgers, hot dogs, and beans for lunch, and the company was equally as enjoyable.

Next stop was Milford, for the Riverwalk Festival. We stopped in to hear some great music, but had to get back on the road to make it down to Bridgeville.

In Bridgeville there was a dinner at the fire hall honoring Howard Clendaniel. Great food accompanied a fitting celebration for Mr. Clendaniel, and Jack gave one of his famous poems in the spirit of the night!

On Sunday, we went to the Hispanic Festival Parade! It was hot outside, but that didn’t have an affect on the huge turnout. Jack was right at home, speaking Spanish to many of the people along the route.

It was a long weekend, but we had a great time enjoying all of the great things our state has to offer!

See you on the campaign trail.

-posted by Jed