After a close three-way primary in Delaware’s 14th Congressional District, voters chose Claire Snyder Hall to face Republican Mike Simpler for the district’s seat in the Delaware House of Representatives in November. .
After winning the primary, Snyder-Hall spoke with the Blade about her plans for the general election, her future goals and why she’s calling it the “Year of the Woman.”
When asked why she decided to get involved in local politics, Snyder-Hall said, “I decided to run because I felt really overwhelmed by all the negative things that were going on in the world.” “While I loved my work as the president of Common Cause Delaware, addressing the challenges of democracy in Delaware, there are many other issues that I care deeply about and want to do something about. I felt like I had to.”
Mr. Snyder-Hall led the Delaware Office of Common Cause, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to strengthening democracy across the state, for five years. Before working at Common Cause, he taught political science for 20 years at schools across the country, including Princeton University, Rutgers University, Hunter College, Illinois State University, New College in Florida, and most recently George Mason University. She explained that her experience allowed her to stand out against her opponents.
“The challenge when running in the Democratic primary is differentiating yourself,” Snyder-Hall said. “Thanks to my five years as director of Delaware Common Cause, I think so. I have built a strong network of good relationships on the ground in Dover.”
These relationships, she argues, make it possible to enact change at the state level during what has been described as a politically turbulent time, to say the least.
“This is the most important election of our lifetimes. The choice is on the ballot. LGBTQ+ rights are on the ballot. Democracy is on the ballot,” Snyder-Hall said. . “And in East Sussex [County] Our quality of life is on the ballot. And I felt like I needed to do something positive. ”
Snyder-Hall explained that the positives include a three-part plan to protect Delaware’s rights.
“There are three really important components to this job, and I take them all very seriously. One is advocating for our district, making sure our district gets the funding it needs. It is to do so.”
In June, the Delaware House of Representatives passed a $6.1 billion 2025 operating budget to support critical programs across the state. If Snyder-Hall wins, he hopes some of that money will go to the state’s poorest residents.
“More long-term care options, more mental health services, drug treatment, wraparound services, etc. are at the top of the list,” she explained.
In addition to these services, she highlighted the plight of many transgender youth. A recent study on anti-trans laws by the Williams Institute found that 93% of transgender youth ages 13 to 17 in the U.S. (an estimated 280,300 transgender youth) would be barred from accessing gender-affirming care. You are found to live in a state that has passed or proposed a. .
“There are many transgender people who are fleeing persecution in other states and are moving to Delaware. ” Snyder-Hall said. “The first thing we need to do is get our resources back.”
“The second thing is to serve the constituents,” she continued. If voters have a problem, they need someone to talk to. Unfortunately, you often have to call your elected officials to get anything moving. ”
“And the third thing, which I sometimes think doesn’t get enough attention, is that I want to be at the table when legislation is written for the state,” Snyder-Hall added. Ta. “So I represent my district as a legislator, but I also participate in statewide governance, and all three of those elements are important to this job.”
In addition to the three elements of getting the job done right, Snyder-Hall also noted that he wants to help change the way campaigns are run in the state in the wake of Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long’s financial scandal. Last year, the Associated Press found that Hall-Long had failed to disclose hundreds of thousands of dollars in loans on his financial reports.
“Campaign finance reform is a big reform, especially given some of the things that have happened recently in Delaware,” Snyder-Hall said. “I would like to see the creation of an Office of the Inspector General to investigate fraud, waste, abuse and corruption. It would be a bipartisan office, so it would not be someone’s political career.”
Snyder-Hall was able to secure victory in the Democratic primary without the support of incumbent Rep. Pete Schwarzkopf, who has held the 14th District seat for years since 2002. Mr. Schwarzkopf has been a longtime LGBTQ ally and supporter of marriage equality, nondiscrimination protections, and Social Security. A hate crime bill in the Delaware House of Representatives. He also served as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Schwarzkopf supported Kathy McGuinness, who came in third place in the primary with 26.91% (1,238 votes), followed by Marty Rendon, who came in second with 31.83% (1,464 votes). Mr. Snyder-Hall won with 41.26% of the vote (1,898 votes).
Snyder-Hall said this victory would not have been possible without Sussex County’s LGBTQ community.
“I would like to say that the lesbian community has supported our campaign very strongly,” she said. “We have a very large community here, not only in Rehoboth and my district, but also west and south. They have been very generous in supporting me financially. They volunteered to help spread the word. I’m so grateful for their strength in that community. I also have a large network of gay male friends and straight friends.
Snyder-Hall said the number of votes she received speaks to the community’s aspirations for leadership.
“One of the reasons why the women’s community has bought into me so strongly is that I not only represent the people who live in the district, but I represent our interests as women, as lesbians, and as women. “Because they know the people of Delaware,” she added.
She also explained that this could be a manifestation of “femininomenones” (to use a term coined by lesbian pop star Chapel Lawn) in government agencies across the country.
“We have Kamala Harris as the first female president. We have Sarah McBride and LBR (Lisa Blunt Rochester). LBR becomes the first female senator. [from Delaware]. And hopefully Claire Snyder Hall, number 14, will appear. I am very proud to be the first woman appointed to represent District 14, and I am also the first lesbian appointed to represent District 14. ”
Brant Rochester is poised to become Delaware’s first black and first female senator. Sarah McBride is set to become the first transgender person elected to Congress.
“Sarah McBride is amazing. She’s a star. She has it all. There are things about her that you can learn and things that you can’t learn from,” Snyder Hall said. “She’s going to be a great congresswoman. She’s very young and she’s going to be the first transgender congresswoman. She’s got it all. She’s very smart, she’s charismatic, she’s good with people. , I think that’s really great.”
She added that she wasn’t surprised by this, which is one of the reasons she loves the state.
“Delaware is a very LGBTQ+ state, so I don’t think it’s surprising that the first transgender senator is from Delaware.”
Delaware’s general election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5th. Voters will decide the races for the 14th District seat, an open House seat and a Senate seat. This pivotal day will shape the state’s representation at both the state and national level. For Snyder-Hall, this fight isn’t just about office, it’s about progress for Delawareans. “I’ve knocked on thousands of doors in the district, and the important thing is, it’s not just one person’s story, it’s just connections, looking into someone’s eyes and talking about the district and how to improve the situation. “Being able to talk about what we can do, that’s what keeps me going.” “I know I can help people.”
Source: Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News – www.washingtonblade.com
