James Spadola plans to file for the post of state auditor.
Spadola, a Republican, cited his varied background in finance and law enforcement in making his bid.
Spadola, who served in the Middle East in the Army Reserve, had earlier made an unsuccessful bid for a Delaware Senate seat.
Spadola may be best known as a spokesman for the Newark Police Department. He kicked off a Hug a Cop program, which gained national attention at a time of escalating tensions between police and the public.
More recently he has been involved in Elected Officials of America, a website and podcast devoted to younger public officials who often overcame great odds in theri election bids.
“The Auditor’s office is critically important in acting as a watchdog of the hard-earned money of Delaware’s taxpayers. I was a watchdog for Newark as a police officer for many years. I look forward to the opportunity of combining my MBA, and my financial experience as an underwriting manager in Manhattan and former union treasurer to be a watchdog for Delaware,” Spadola stated in his announcement.
Former Governor and Congressman Mike Castle endorsed Spadola. “James is the most qualified candidate to be State Auditor and will serve the people of Delaware well. I look forward to supporting him along his path to victory, and I know he will execute the duties of the Auditor’s Office in a nonpartisan and fair manner.”
Spadola is running for the post after Delaware Certified Public Accountant Joan Winters dropped out after only recently filing to run for the post, citing family matters.
Democrats face a potentially bruising primary with former legislator Dennis Williams, Rehoboth Commissioner Kathy McGuiness and Kathleen Davies, a former member of the state Auditor’s Office squaring off.
The race has already caused some fireworks with Williams accusing McGuiness of potential conflicts of interest in seeking support from officials whose agencies might be audited. McGuiness also drew fire for seeking to open up a personnel hearing process involving Davies, who was dismissed from her post by current Auditor Tom Wagner. Davies is appealing the decision and received a favorable early finding.
Wagner, citing health issues, is not running for another term after holding down the psot for nearly three decades.
