"MDLG08" Decoded.

First State Politics has has posted an email from Wilmington attorney Joe Rhoades soliciting money for Matt Denn's apparent campaign for Lieutenant Governor:

“All of you know that Matt Denn has been a tremendous supporter of DTLA’s members and their clients. It is now our turn to say “thanks” to Matt for all he has done. Matt is running for the Lt. Governor’s office and has an excellent chance of winning. However, to do so, he needs substantial contributions to show would-be opponents that he is clearly “the candidate”. For that reason, I am asking all of you to contribute to Matt’s campaign by the end of the year so that Matt can distinguish himself as the front runner. You can contribute up to $1200 and I would hope that you make a maximum contribution. Wouldn’t it be great to have someone Like Matt as our Lt. Governor and then our Governor? Please help me make this happen. Thanks. Joe Rhoades”

This is a rather interesting message. Rhoades apparently knows what he's talking about; he has donated to high-profile Democratic candidates as well as the ATLA (American Trial Lawyers Association) PAC. But to my knowledge thus far, Denn has not officially announced. Rather, he passed out silly-looking stickers at Return Day suggesting he was going to run for Lieutenant Governor -- but everyone does that, don't they? And when interviewed by WDEL at Return Day, Denn only said he was "seriously thinking about" running.

Second, Denn hasn't even completed his first term as Insurance Commissioner. In fact, he hasn't even been in office for a full two years. To be sure, he's had some interesting initiatives during that time -- the most recent being a website where Delaware consumers can compare auto insurance rates. Unfortunately, as is all too common with politicians, it appears that Denn is less interested in doing a great job as Insurance Commissioner than in moving up the political food chain.

And that's the a real shame of all of this. The previous occupant of that office, Donna Lee Williams, was famous for her unwillingness to do much of anything other than occupy space. There's no denying that Denn has done more as Insurance Commissioner in less than two years than Williams did throughout her entire career, except maybe the distinction of being Insurance Commissioner when the Delaware Insurance Fraud Bureau was itself investigated for fraud and misconduct. But once again, it looks like Matt Denn, in the long run, is going to be just another career politician following the true "Delaware Way" -- moving from political office to political office ad infinitum.