PRIMARY '08: Atkins wins Democratic race in 41st District, 1095-938

John Atkins will make a run at his old 41st District seat, with an 8-point win over Barbara Lifflander. Atkins took 53.9 percent of the vote (1095), with Lifflander garnering 46.1 percent (938). Atkins will face incumbent Greg Hastings in the general election.

Lifflander took three of the nine districts in the 41st: districts 8-9, which comprise the Long Neck/Pot-Nets area, and district 2, located just south of Millsboro.

Lifflander, who said she does not plan to run for office again, was discouraged by the results.

"It's still a popularity contest down here; people are not taking the issues seriously," she said.

"John did nothing in the two terms he was up there. I'm deeply saddened for the people of Sussex. ... I was on the Board of Advisors for the Center for Inland Bays, went to DNREC meetings, [etc.]. John was never at those meetings. What you see is what you get. He's so slick - everyone considers him their best friend, but you don't vote for your best friend unless he's done his homework, which John hasn't."

This will be Lifflander's third consecutive loss to Atkins. The previous two times, Atkins was the GOP incumbent and Lifflander the Democratic challenger.

"It's disappointing people could be so easily fooled. But people change - maybe he'll grow up," Lifflander said.