DELAWARE STONEWALL PAC
PO Box 1024
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Tara Sheldon 302-604-4316 / tara@tarasheldon.com
DELAWARE STONEWALL PAC HONORS LOCAL PIONEERS; ENDORSES CANDIDATES
Delaware Stonewall PAC held its 18th annual “Summer Funder” at Shrimpy’s Bar and Grill in Rehoboth on August 13, 2022. A political action committee whose mission is to help elect candidates who support equality, fairness, and opportunity for all, Delaware Stonewall PAC honored local pioneers and announced the endorsement of candidates for the 2022 election cycle.
The event was attended by over 130 residents from Kent, Sussex, and New Castle counties and featured a keynote by State Senator Marie Pinkney. Awards to civil and human rights pioneers were presented to Murray Archibald, co-founder of CAMP Rehoboth, C. Dixon Osburn, who co-founded the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) which fought to overturn “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and Charlotte King, founder of Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice (SDARJ). “I was delighted to see the terrific turnout, which I think is a reflection of how critical your mission of promoting acceptance and equality is during this unsettled time in our nation’s history. Keep up the great work! I am proud to stand should-to-shoulder with you – not just as an ally, but as an advocate!” said Trey Paradee, Delaware State Senate, 17th District.
Many state elected officials were present, including presenters Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall Long, and State Treasurer, Colleen Davis. “Your endorsement means so much to me and I am proudly announcing it to our voters! It truly is a badge of honor to have received your seal of approval. I look forward to a continued partnership. I am committed to using my platform to advocate for our LGBTQ+ communities,” said Davis, State Treasurer.
Endorsement from Delaware Stonewall is based on a candidate’s history of voting for issues that align with their mission statement, who have demonstrated a commitment to support their mission, and/or have responded positively to the candidate survey. The PAC’s Vice President, Tara Sheldon, stated “We take these commitments seriously, and believe the candidates we endorse will, when elected, work towards the goals we have set out for protecting the lives of LGBTQ+ citizens of all ages.” Cyndie Romer, endorsed for RD 25, stated “Thank you so much for the endorsement and financial support. I do not take these endorsements lightly and will aggressively fight for the LGBTQ+ community,”
Delaware Stonewall PAC endorses the following candidates for the Primaries, September 13th:
| State Auditor | Lydia York |
| New Castle County District 1 | Brandon Toole |
| SD 6 | Russ Huxtable |
| SD 14 | Kyra Hoffner |
| RD 1 | Shane’ Darby |
| RD 6 | Becca Cotto |
| RD 13 | DeShanna Neal |
| RD 18 | Sophie Phillips |
| RD 25 | Cyndie Romer |
| RD 26 | Madinah Wilson-Anton |
| RD 27 | Eric Morrison |
| RD 32 | Kerri Evelyn Harris |
General Election Endorsements (to be updated following the Primaries):
| Congress | Lisa Blunt Rochester |
| Delaware State Treasurer | Colleen C Davis |
| Kent County Sheriff | Brian E. Lewis |
| SD 1 | Sarah McBride |
| SD 13 | Marie Pinkney |
| RD 23 | Paul Baumbach |
| SD 5 | Kyle Evans Gay |
| SD 7 | Spiros Mantzavinos |
| SD 8 | David P. Sokola |
| SD 11 | Bryan Townsend |
| SD 17 | Trey Paradee |
| RD 4 | Keegan Worley |
| RD 9 | Terrell A. Williams |
| RD 20 | Stell Parker Selby |
| RD 21 | Frank Burns |
| RD 39 | Susan Clifford |
Dwayne Bensing, the organization’s President, stated “We were very encouraged so many candidates sought our endorsement and committed to serving our broad, intersectional, community. We look forward to announcing further endorsements after the Primary and working with these candidates and other elected allies to pass inclusive, pro-LGBTQ+ equality legislation.”
Candidates who wish to be considered for Stonewall endorsement are invited to complete the Candidate Survey. Further information about Delaware Stonewall PAC and current list of the candidates can be found at https://delawarestonewall.org.
Pictured:
Tara Sheldon & Murray Archibald
Charlotte King & Leslie Ledogar
Lydia York, Sen. Marie Pinkney
Christopher Howland & Kathy Hughes
Front row: Peter Schott, Sen Marie Pinkney, DeShanna Neal
Back row: Erik Raser-Schramm, Tara Sheldon, Dwayne Bensing, C. Dixon Osburn, Leslie Ledogar, Colleen Davis, Scott Strickler