Why the Delaware Legislature's quick, closed-door leadership votes matter

Lawmakers in Delaware's General Assembly are slated to meet behind closed doors Wednesday to choose the state's legislative leadership for the next two years, decisions that could determine what bills get sent to Gov. John Carney.

The choice to hold those votes one day after the election has riled some, particularly Senate Democrats who now hold a one-vote majority in the upper chamber.

Here is more on what is happening and why the early caucus meetings matter:

What are these meetings?

The Legislature meets from January to July but their session actually runs from election to election. Every two years, they begin their new session by voting to select a Senate president pro tempore and House speaker.

But that's only what you see in public.

Weeks before those votes, the Democrats and Republicans from each chamber – commonly referred to as caucuses – meet privately to hash out those top leadership positions and others away from prying eyes.

Some Delaware lawmakers say plan to pick leadership one day after election is too soon

The early straw votes allow the majority party to present a united front when the entire chamber votes in January and gives the presumptive winner a chance to begin doling out committee assignments.

The caucuses are technically scheduled by the longest-serving member in each chamber. But in reality, they are typically planned by the existing leadership in each caucus.

Historically, those first caucus meetings have been held as early as a week after the election and as late as December. This is believed to be the first time all four caucuses will meet a day after the election.

Why are they meeting early?

It depends on who you ask.

Privately, Democratic operatives claim Senate President David McBride, D-Hawk's Nest, and Senate Majority Whip Nicole Poore, D-New Castle, are trying to head off a potential coup by holding a vote before anyone can lobby newly elected Democratic senators to make a different choice.

Neither McBride nor Poore responded to requests for comment. But some of those running for state Senate seats said publicly last week that they are not happy with being asked to think about leadership votes so soon.

Things are less contentious in the other caucuses.

House Democrats say they chose Wednesday because scheduling a time for all its members to meet between Veterans Day and Thanksgiving was proving too difficult.

Republicans in the House and Senate say they just want to get the votes out of the way.

The fact that the fight is among Senate Democrats is telling.

Many Democrats were dissatisfied with how the current leadership handled votes on key bills this year. Even with a one-vote advantage, the majority was unable to pass a proposed assault weapons ban, a bill to raise the legal age for owning a rifle, a minimum wage hike, early voting and allowing same-day voter registration.

Some Democrats on the back bench no doubt believe they can do a better job setting the agenda and whipping votes next year.

How are these votes going to play out?

Likely without much drama outside of the Senate Democrats.

In that caucus, a progressive faction could attempt to seize control by making a run at the Senate President post or the majority leader position now held by retiring state Sen. Margaret Rose Henry, D-Wilmington.

The most likely candidate for them would be state Sen. David Sokola, D-Newark, a co-chair of the Bond Bill Committee and a 28-year incumbent. A showdown between he and Poore for the No. 2 spot is possible.

If Poore emerges victorious, look for state Sen. John "Jack" Walsh, D-Stanton, to take her place as majority whip – assuming, of course, the Democrats maintain control of the chamber.

The Senate Republican caucus also could see some shakeups, depending on whether they flip a Democratic seat or current Senate Minority Whip Greg Lavelle, R-Sharpley, gets re-elected.

Fewer changes are likely in the leadership of the House Democratic caucus, although there are whispers Rep. John Viola, D-Bear, could be out as majority whip.

On the Republican side, House Minority Leader Danny Short, R-Seaford, is expected to keep his post while the No. 2 seat could turn on whether House Minority Whip Deborah Hudson, R-Greenville, wins re-election.

Contact reporter Scott Goss at (302) 324-2281, sgoss@delawareonline.com or on Twitter @ScottGossDel.

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