With his twin 3-year-old sons gamboling about the podium as he spoke, state Insurance Commissioner Matt Denn this past weekend launched his effort to become Delaware’s next lieutenant governor.
Denn, 42, began his campaign with a traditional three-county swing, stopping at noon Saturday at the Old State House. With his shirtsleeves rolled up to his elbows in deference to the sweltering heat outside, Denn addressed a crowd of approximately 60 supporters and Democratic office holders and party officials, and said he would change the perception of what the lieutenant governor is all about.
“Some people have said, ‘Matt, have you read the Delaware Code? Are you aware the lieutenant governor is not responsible for the things you have talked about?’” he said. But, Denn added, in four years he had accomplished things that were not considered part of what an insurance commissioner was supposed to do.
These included expanding family health insurance to cover young adults, creating a website that allows consumers to compare some insurance rates and increasing the penalties for insurance companies that treat their clients unfairly.
“None of those things were my job,” Denn said. “But I did them.”
“As lieutenant governor,” he added, “I will be a force for change.”
If elected, Denn said he would work against special interest groups, particularly when it comes to protecting Delaware’s youth. It would be his goal that every child in Delaware is given the opportunity to advance as far as they want, he said.
Denn said he wants to improve public schools by encouraging highly qualified teachers to work in Delaware, particularly by guaranteeing school funding and controlling how school districts spend state funds.
The insurance commissioner also said he wanted to provide health insurance for children, enforce laws on environmental pollution and find ways to prevent child abuse and child neglect.
Fred Neil of Wild Meadows liked what he was hearing.
“He’s been very much for the people of Delaware, and he’s shown that as insurance commissioner,” Neil said. “We know from what he’s already done he’s been very proactive for the citizens of Delaware.”
Denn acknowledged there still are unknowns ahead. Although each party’s nominees for governor and lieutenant governor usually run as a team, they are elected on separate tickets, and he doesn’t yet know who will head the top of the slate – current Lt. Gov. John Carney or State Treasurer Jack Markell.
He also knows he’ll have a tough fight in the November general election when he goes up against Republican state Sen. Charlie Copeland, who, he said, will flood the state with negative campaign ads.
Denn said he plans to counter any negativity by running on his achievements as insurance commissioner.
“I have a record, a record that I will stand on proudly, of fighting to do what I promised to do,” he said.
