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Senator Steven H. Amick |
District 10 |
STATE SENATOR STEVE AMICK ANNOUNCES.......
The time has come to let my constituents know of my plans in regard to
this fall's election. My 8th legislative term encompassing a total service
of 22 years will end on Election Day, November 4th, and on that day the
Delaware State Senator representing the 10th Senate District, stretching
from the south end of Newark to the north end of Middletown and including
large parts of Bear and Glasgow, will be elected.I have been consulting
with my family about whether or not to run for re-election. Public office
puts a great strain on a family. An office holder is rarely home for
dinner in the evening and misses a great many ball games, school plays,
and family events and has little leisure time to spend with family and old
friends. I've always promised my family we'd make re-election decisions in
full consultation and in the best interest of the family as a whole and
not simply assume we would run. We've always done that. This time my
family thinks I should step aside and let fresher younger blood
participate in public life. Fresh thinking comes begrudgingly as one ages,
I find, and health concerns come to the fore. Yet the blood rises when
faced with the excitement, color, and personal challenge of an election
campaign. The old fire dog jumps onto the fire truck when the bell rings
and the veteran politician reacts similarly. I have been sure whichever
decision we make we will have occasion to regret. In any case, my family
and I have arrived at a decision that I will not seek re-election to the
Delaware Senate. In the meantime, I owe you an apology. We had already
made this decision when an opponent announced the intention to run against
me. The press then asked me for a reaction to the announcement. I thought
it important to first notify my party, my campaign volunteers, and some
close friends and supporters, and so I responded to this question by
insinuating that we would have a strenuous campaign knowing all along that
we would not be running. I have tried to avoid this kind of half-truth
answers throughout my political life and I should have tried harder to
find a way to be truthful in this case. So I "come clean" to you now. I
have accomplished some of the goals toward which I have worked
these many years and I am proud of my efforts. At the same time I've
come to realize some of my goals will not be reached. While they are
worthy goals and still worth the fight, that fight will have to await
another champion, perhaps the newly elected Senator from the 10th Senate
District. Let me assure you I have enjoyed representing you in Dover.
It has been my great pleasure to know so many of you and to share your
hopes and dreams for your families, your communities, and our state.
I look forward to continuing to work together on these things but my role
will be different as I move into this new stage in life.
Thank you,
Steven H. Amick
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