Good evening,
Gov. John Carney will never be known as a political rockstar.
Still, the governor – known for his low drama style – has shown a deft touch at various points in his career. The latest is the case of former State auditor and Rehoboth Beach commissioner Kathy McGuiness.
Officeholders in similar situations typically resign while proclaiming their innocence. McGuiness was the exception and chose to run for a second term.
A host of legal maneuvers that included a request that a private attorney get $550 an hour for her defense (no way, said the judge) added to the degree of discomfort among the Dems.
Carney chose to remain on the sidelines and let the process play out.
There was some back and forth in the General Assembly, with progressives expressing outrage over the lack of impeachment action. McGuiness did have a powerful Rehoboth Beach ally in House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf who was not inclined to move forward.
Republican legislators also shied away from impeachment talk, despite the opportunity to paint a picture of a party that had been in power too long and had let corruption seep in.
A few Republicans appeared to support McGuiness. There was little risk in doing so since the Sussex Countian’s views on major issues remain something of a mystery.
Despite fears of a hidden army of McGuiness supporters triggering an upset, the auditor lost decisively in the primary. This week, McGuiness was sentenced to probation and a whopping 500 hours of community service.
Rather than face possible removal by Carney, McGuiness resigned immediately.
The governor then made another smart move, tapping former State Auditor and New Castle County Executive Dennis Greenhouse to head the office until the new auditor takes charge in January.
Greenhouse will briefly inherit an office that has been through more than its share of personnel-related turmoil under the last two occupants. He will have a chance to calm the waters for his successor.
Meanwhile, a University of Delaware poll shows Carney with a 61% approval rating.
That’s not bad for a guy who took heat for his actions involving businesses during the pandemic and later for his veto of what many saw as the first stage of marijuana legalization.-Doug Rainey, chief content officer.
