The political playing field in the First State continued its post-election shift Monday. Chris Coons officially vacated the New Castle County Executive’s office to become Delaware’s junior United States Senator. New Castle County Council President Paul Clark took Coons’ place as county executive, as mandated by law.
Coons was sworn in as a U.S. Senator shortly after four o’clock Monday afternoon in the Senate chamber. The oath of office was administered by Vice President Joe Biden, who held the seat Coons’ now owns for 36 years until winning the vice presidency in 2008. Coons was flanked by Senator Tom Carper (D) and Ted Kaufman, who served the the first two years of the Biden term Coons will complete.
- Superior Court Judge Jerome O. Herlihy administers the oath of office to incoming New Castle County Executive Paul Clark. Clark’s mother, Elizabeth Clark, stands as witness.
Clark took the oath of office at noon Monday after Coons’ handed in his resignation as New Castle County Executive. The short ceremony was presided over by Delaware Superior Court Judge Jerome O. Herlihy, who administered the oath of office to Clark.
Clark says the low key swearing in was intentional. “This day is really about Chris Coons and celebrating his swearing in,” Clark said. “I’m trying to spend the next few days getting my office set up and getting to work.”
While Clark says most department managers and other political appointees will stay in place until the end of the year in an effort to smooth the transition , he is making some immediate staff changes in the County executive’s office. Attorney Dennis Phifer, who had been an advisor to the transition team, is taking over as chief of staff. County Attorney Gregg Wilson will serve as acting chief administrative officer, replaces outgoing CAO Rick Gregory. County Council staff attorney Wendy Danner will become county solicitor on December 1 and 911 communications chief Dave Roberts will also serve as acting public safety director.
Clark is expected to lay out more of his priorities as county executive when he makes his first public address next Tuesday, November 23rd when he speaks before county council at its Executive Committee meeting.
No date has been set yet for the special election required under state law to replace Clark as New Castle County president, but it must be schedule within 45 days of County Council President Pro Tem Penrose Hollins officially reporting the vacancy to the state Department of Elections.
