Last week, Chris told you about his firm commitment to fighting Washington's plan to explore drilling for oil off Delaware's shore. "While I strongly support the President's commitment to reducing our nation's dependence on foreign oil," Chris wrote, "drilling for oil off Delaware's coastline is simply not the right solution."
He wanted to hear what you think, so we invited you to share your own opinions on drilling, and we got quite a few great responses! Here are a few.
John from Wilmington said, "All we need to do is look at the recent incident in the Gulf of Mexico to realize that we do NOT want gigantic oil rigs that could blow up, spew oil and create an ecological disaster. Put that money in to the wind farms and other renewable energy!"
Sam from Newark said, "We have tried drilling our way out of this crisis. Let's focus on renewable methods to supply energy while driving down costs and making our nation more secure through less dependency on foreign sources."
Bruce from Millsboro said, "Yes, Chris . . . we need to shift our emphasis to renewable energy sources. Thanks for pursuing this."
And Lauren from Wilmington said, "We learned a huge lesson today about the dangers of off-shore oil drilling. Let's not compromise all of the hard work that has been done to clean up Delaware's coastal areas by putting it at risk of such horrendous accidents."
Click here to share your opinion!
As our nation observes the 40th anniversary of Earth Day today, here in Delaware we're facing a real threat to our own ecosystem.
Earlier this month President Obama unveiled a plan that would expand oil drilling off the coast of Delaware. While I strongly support the President's commitment to reducing our nation's dependence on foreign oil, drilling for oil off Delaware's coastline is simply not the right solution.
Like Governor Markell, I believe our nation should invest more in offshore wind energy instead. It's the smartest and safest way to create jobs and new energy supplies in our state.
I've pledged to oppose drilling off Delaware's shore and to support efforts to expand offshore wind energy production. Will you join me?
Sign our pledge and tell the President we oppose drilling off Delaware's shores.
Just this week, Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio and a bipartisan group of cosponsors, including Delaware's Senators Tom Carper and Ted Kaufman, introduced a bill designed to spur research on potential offshore wind projects and expand incentives for developing the technology that will make them possible.
Wind is a vast, untapped source of pollution-free, renewable energy and could provide energy to millions of homes in the U.S.
If you send me to the U.S. Senate, I will proudly vote yes on Sen. Brown's wind energy bill and will fight tenaciously to protect Delaware's shores.
We've started uploading video from Chris' campaign kickoff events on Monday. Here's one clip we really like -- it's Senator Tom Carper introducing Chris at the Kent County event at the Delaware Agricultural Museum in Dover.
It's been almost two months since I entered the race for the United States Senate to make sure Delaware continues its tradition of strong Democratic representation in Washington.
In those two months, the support Delawareans have shown me has been humbling, to say the least. Just a few weeks ago when I told you about our end-of-quarter fundraising deadline, you not only helped us meet our goal, but beat it by more than half.
I could not be more appreciative for that support nor more excited for this campaign, and I'm glad you'll be with me every step of the way.
The first step on that journey will happen Monday, April 19 as we officially kick off our campaign with rallies in all three counties:
10:00 a.m. on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach
12:30 p.m. at the Delaware Agricultural Museum in Dover
3:00 p.m. at IBEW Local 313 Union Hall in New Castle
I hope you'll be able to come out to one of these events to say 'hi' and show your support. You should feel free to bring some friends - we'd love to meet them!
This is a critical moment in the course of our state and our nation, and I'm honored to be a part of it. I know that, together, we'll be able to run a strong campaign that places our shared priorities and values first.
I hope to see you on Monday!
When Valero Energy closed down its Delaware City plant before Christmas last year, the nation's economic struggle became a personal nightmare for hundreds of Delaware families.
For some, there now might be an end in sight.
Yesterday I joined Governor Markell in announcing that Valero Energy had reached a deal with PBF Energy to sell the Delaware City facility and -- after some maintenance work -- restart operations next spring.
That means the restoration of 500 full-time jobs and the immediate investment of up to $150 million to renovate the plant.
It's tremendous news, but the fact is, this deal didn't happen on its own. It took extraordinary, disciplined hard work by Governor Markell and his administration, who worked doggedly to prevent Valero from dismantling the facility and to help find a buyer willing to put Delawareans back to work there.
As proud as I am to have been a part of the effort on behalf of New Castle County, I'll be even happier to see our neighbors back to work.
This deal is a demonstration of what strong Democratic leadership can do for Delaware and is the reason I'm running for the Senate. Our state needs leaders who will work tirelessly to put Delawareans to work, not sit on the sidelines and hope things get better.
Amid the layoffs at Valero, GM and Chrysler last fall, New Castle County invested $200,000 to start a training program designed to help with resume preparation, interview and job-search skills, computer training, and to provide other educational opportunities.
There is nothing more important to me than making sure that all Delawareans who want a job can find one. As your Senator, I'd work every day to make that a reality.
I appreciate your support and hope you'll forward this message on to a few of your friends and neighbors, encouraging them to join our campaign.
Congress made history Sunday night, adopting landmark health care reform critical for our nation's economic future and the well being of its citizens.
It's great news for the more than 100,000 Delaware residents who are uninsured and the 70,000 Delaware residents who will qualify for tax credits to help them afford the health insurance they need.
The bill passed Sunday night will also give 140,000 Delaware seniors access to free preventive care while lowering prescription drug costs for 25,000 seniors on a fixed income.
That's why I proudly would have voted "yes" on health care reform.
It is disappointing that every single Republican in the House and Senate voted against these significant reforms, including Delaware's Congressman Castle.
This was fundamentally about whose side are you on. I listened to the AARP, which endorsed this because it was good for seniors. I listened to the doctors and nurses, who endorsed this because it's good for patients. Congressional Republicans sided with the insurance companies, who opposed this bill. I'm proud to stand with the AARP, doctors and nurses, instead of the insurance companies.
