The following is
a press release sent by Lincoln Willis earlier today. I know Lincoln
and his family. They are great people who have been key members of the
Smyrna-Middletown area for decades. Lincoln just finished a year in the
Leadership Delaware program as well. He is the kind of person that
Republicans have been hoping would step up to the plate.
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Lincoln Willis is tossing his hat into the ring in a bid to succeed
State Rep. Pam Thornburg, who recently announced she will not seek
re-election to her 29th District seat.
The executive manager of Lincoln Willis Chevrolet, Willis said he
grew up in his family’s central Delaware automobile businesses, which
began as a single Chevy dealership in 1951 and has now grown to three
locations. A cum laude graduate of Dartmouth College, Mr.
Willis earned his bachelor’s degree in Government and later graduated
from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William &
Mary.
“As a small businessman who meets a payroll every week, I know how
to create jobs and make the tough, common sense decisions our state
needs,” Willis said.
Willis, 34, has a strong commitment to community service and is
involved in the leadership of several non-profit organizations
including: Atlas Service Corps, which facilitates international
non-profit fellowships; Ducks Unlimited; and the Children’s Advocacy
Center of Delaware, a group dedicated to helping child victims of
sexual and physical abuse.
“I’m running for office for three reasons: to rein-in state
spending; foster job creation; and improve the quality of the education
our children receive,” Willis said. “From a per capita standpoint, we
have one of the most expensive state governments and public education
systems in the country, but the results are mediocre at best. I know
we can do better. I know we must do better.”
Willis, a Republican, said he realizes an open seat is a tempting
target and that he is excited to see who his opponent will be in
November. “I believe I’m the best candidate not only for my party, but
most importantly for the people of western Kent County.”
Willis said he is wasting no time and plans to file his campaign committee with the Department of Elections tomorrow.
Mr. Willis and his wife, Laura, reside in Clayton.