DOVER — In a recent gathering at Dover’s One11 Bar on Blackwell Street, James Dodd, the mayoral candidate, rallied strong support from attendees. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, now representing Dover following last year’s redistricting, lent her support, adding credibility to the event.
A few months ago, Dover was buzzing with excitement during a fiercely contested Democratic mayoral primary.
At the conclusion, James Dodd, the former mayor, secured a comfortable victory over incumbent Carolyn Blackman and Ed Correa. Dodd garnered approximately 50 percent of the votes, a robust figure in a three-candidate contest. As the primary recedes into the past, Dodd and his enthusiastic supporters gathered at the One11 bar on Blackwell Street for a packed house fundraiser, setting their sights on the upcoming fall election.”
Dover, a predominantly Hispanic town is known for its competitive elections featuring rival Democratic factions. Dodd initially assumed office as mayor in 2003 but encountered challenges in 2018 when Correa successfully orchestrated a takeover of the Democratic municipal committee. Subsequently, Blackman defeated Dodd in the following year’s election, becoming the town’s first Black and first female mayor.
In this predominantly Democratic town, there were no Republican candidates in the running for Mayor. However, an independent candidate, Dennis Touhey, has entered the race.
For the Dover Board of Aldermen, there was no GOP challenger in Ward One. Two Democrats were running for the one, two-year seat. They are Claudia Toro and Jessica Cruz. Cruz is the incumbent. She received 148 votes to Toro’s 165 votes.
There were also three Democrats running in Ward Two.
They included incumbent Judith Rugg, Sergio Rodriguez, and Cindy Isaza. Rugg, the incumbent, received 98 votes. Rodriguez received 199 votes, while Isaza received 75 votes.
In Ward Three, no Republicans are running.
Incumbent Democrat Michael Scarneo is running for another term. He was challenged by John Londono in the Democratic primary. Scarneo was ahead with 178 votes to Londono’s 162.
In Ward Four, no Republicans are running.
The Democrats included incumbent Arturo Santana and Carlos Valencia, who ran against each other during the Primary.
Santana won with 178 votes to Valencia’s 79.
