Bolden won't wait for Plant to retire from House seat
Political veterans vie in 2nd District
By ADAM TAYLOR • The News Journal • September 7, 2010
WILMINGTON -- Wilmington City Councilwoman Stephanie T. Bolden was going to wait her turn to succeed Hazel D. Plant as the representative in the state House's 2nd District.
But rumors that one of Plant's sons was going to run for the seat forced Bolden to file against the 9-year incumbent, so the two Democrats will face off in the Sept. 14 primary. None of Plant's sons wound up getting into the race.
Bolden said Alfonzo Plant has long desired his mom's seat once she retires. Bolden also said that Hazel Plant, whom she called a friend and political mentor, had promised more than once over the years that she was going to serve just one more two-year term, then would endorse Bolden as her successor.
"But then she always said that she was running yet again," Bolden said. "And because blood is thicker than water, I felt I couldn't wait any longer to run in case she would support her son."
Plant said Bolden's comments aren't true. She said she has never set a deadline for retirement and never planned to back Alfonzo for the seat.
"I feel I still have more to do in the job, so I'm taking it one term at a time," she said. "I have no idea if this will be my last term if I'm fortunate enough to win. And none of my sons has any interest in politics at this time."
Bolden, however, said she's now glad she's in the race. While going door to door to solicit votes, she said many of the districts's residents feel that Plant is not representing them well.
"Some people know who their representative is and some don't," Bolden said. "They feel neglected by the representation as it exists today. If elected, I will be more accessible."
Plant, 76, said she feels she has done a good job. While acknowledging that health problems set her back recently, she said she is now well and ready to return at full strength.
"I had a heart attack and a tracheotomy last year, but I feel fine now," she said.
Plant had heart surgery in 2009 and has missed 252 of the 560 roll calls in the House over the past two years, according to voting records.
She retired from the state magistrate court system in 1990.
Plant first took office in 2001 after winning a special election to finish the term of her husband, longtime Rep. Al O. Plant, who died in December 2000. He had held the seat for 24 years.
If re-elected, Plant said, she would focus on providing jobs to people in her district and try to find ways to combat violent crime across the city. She serves on the House Labor, Judiciary, Corrections and Housing & Community Affairs committees.
Plant is the founder and president of the Organization of Minority Women, a political advocacy group. She is also the chairwoman of the board of Eastlawn Human Services, a social-services agency.
Bolden, 64, said she's running on her record as a councilwoman.
She's a former chairwoman of the council's public safety committee, and created the program that installed anti-crime surveillance cameras in neighborhoods, as well as the "Drug Mugs," which publicize the photos of people arrested for selling or buying drugs.
The Delaware Black Caucus has endorsed Plant. Darius J. Brown, a former staffer for Sen. Ted Kaufman, D-Del., also filed to run against Plant after hearing rumors she would not seek re-election, but withdrew within days and endorsed Plant.
Bolden is the treasurer of the Black Caucus. She's also a retired teacher who continues to substitute and tutor. She founded the Burton-Phelan Memorial Scholarship fund.
She has served on City Council since 1993. She has had her own health issues in recent years, suffering a heart attack in 2007 and a mini-stroke last year, but said she has fully recovered.
Bolden said her decision to run has not been popular among some members of the district, which includes Wilmington's East Side and Northeast section.
"I've run a very positive campaign and have left the negativity to other people," Bolden said.
Plant said she doesn't begrudge Bolden's decision to run.
"Everybody has that right," Plant said. "There are no hard feelings."
The 2nd House District is an overwhelmingly Democratic area. No Republican has filed to run for the seat.
Reprinted with the permission of Adam Taylor ataylor@delawareonline.com.