Press Release – June 14, 2016
Delaware Senate Majority Caucus
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jesse Chadderdon (302) 744-4282 or (302) 743-0945;
Mat Marshall (302) 744-4180 or (302) 577-8897
Delaware Senate Majority Caucus
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jesse Chadderdon (302) 744-4282 or (302) 743-0945;
Mat Marshall (302) 744-4180 or (302) 577-8897
After 14 years of fighting for equality, justice and the middle class, Sen. Karen Peterson announces retirement
Addressing her colleagues from the Senate floor, Sen. Karen Peterson announced her retirement from the Delaware State Senate, effective at the end of her current term.
“These past 14 years have been the most challenging and rewarding years of my life, but it’s time to move on,” Peterson said. “The older you get the more you realize that life is short, and there are lots of other things I want to do in life while I’m still able to do them.”
Peterson, a Stanton Democrat, spent 28 years with the Department of Labor, retiring in 2001 as the Director of Industrial Affairs. She also spent eight years as New Castle County Council President before being elected to the Senate in 2002.
“I first started working at Legislative Hall 47 years ago – in 1969 – as a young attaché working alongside Nancy Cook and I quickly grew to love this place ,” Peterson recalled. “Over the next 28 years, I came to Dover on behalf of the Department of Labor to fight for the middle class and also as County Council President, to work on issues affecting county government. Legislative Hall has been like a second home to me for nearly 50 years. I will miss it, but I will especially miss the people who work here.”
Peterson’s announcement came with her wife, Vikki Bandy, by her side. Partners for 27 years, Peterson and Bandy were the first Delaware couple to have their civil union converted to a marriage after marriage equality became law on July 1, 2013.
“Vikki was by my side 14 years ago when I announced my candidacy for the 9th District Senate seat and I wanted her here today with me as I announce my retirement,” Peterson said.
Peterson has long been considered one of the most progressive members of the general assembly, consistently out front on social justice issues like equality, sentencing reform and raising the minimum wage. In each of the last two General Assemblies, she sponsored legislation that would repeal Delaware’s Death Penalty. The Delaware Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on its legality on Wednesday and are expected to issue an opinion on its constitutionality.
“For me, the fight to end the death penalty in Delaware has been representative of the way I always tried to legislate, by identifying gross structural inequalities and trying to eradicate them,” Peterson said.
Senate President Pro Tempore Patricia Blevins said Peterson will be deeply missed by her colleagues and the people of Delaware alike.
“Karen doesn’t just stand up for what was right, she fights for it,” Blevins said. “She is among the most articulate, passionate and well-prepared lawmakers that Dover has ever seen and as a result she has moved the needle on so many issues: expanding civil rights, increasing government transparency, and protecting children and families.”
During her legislative tenure, Peterson cultivated a reputation as one of the Senate’s most tenacious advocates for civil rights. Her tireless advocacy for gender parity and pay equity include public support of an Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and sponsorship of legislation, due for consideration today, which would add a comprehensive Equal Protection amendment to the Delaware Constitution. She was a leader in efforts to enact gender identity nondiscrimination protections, and made history when, during floor debate on legislation advancing marriage equality, she came out as the first open lesbian to serve in the state Senate.
Peterson has also used her public service to push for landmark criminal justice reform measures. She twice led the fight to repeal Delaware’s death penalty, and in July of 2015 introduced legislation – which passed the Senate and currently awaits a floor vote in the House – that would reform Delaware’s “three strikes policy” by granting judges greater discretion in their sentencing of habitual offenders, part of larger efforts to make the state’s corrections system more rehabilitative and reduce recidivism.
Beyond her social justice initiatives, Peterson has been active in the areas of:
All the while, Peterson has maintained a ceaseless focus on her Stanton district, including a strong constituent service record and leading a monumental effort to fund the relocation of families in Glenville, a 164-home community rendered uninhabitable by Tropical Storm Henri in 2003.
“I am grateful for the support and many kindnesses that so many have shown me over the past 14 years, and I am grateful to the people of the 9th Senate District for having elected me four times to serve as their senator,” Peterson said. “It has been an honor and a privilege.”
Addressing her colleagues from the Senate floor, Sen. Karen Peterson announced her retirement from the Delaware State Senate, effective at the end of her current term.
“These past 14 years have been the most challenging and rewarding years of my life, but it’s time to move on,” Peterson said. “The older you get the more you realize that life is short, and there are lots of other things I want to do in life while I’m still able to do them.”
Peterson, a Stanton Democrat, spent 28 years with the Department of Labor, retiring in 2001 as the Director of Industrial Affairs. She also spent eight years as New Castle County Council President before being elected to the Senate in 2002.
“I first started working at Legislative Hall 47 years ago – in 1969 – as a young attaché working alongside Nancy Cook and I quickly grew to love this place ,” Peterson recalled. “Over the next 28 years, I came to Dover on behalf of the Department of Labor to fight for the middle class and also as County Council President, to work on issues affecting county government. Legislative Hall has been like a second home to me for nearly 50 years. I will miss it, but I will especially miss the people who work here.”
Peterson’s announcement came with her wife, Vikki Bandy, by her side. Partners for 27 years, Peterson and Bandy were the first Delaware couple to have their civil union converted to a marriage after marriage equality became law on July 1, 2013.
“Vikki was by my side 14 years ago when I announced my candidacy for the 9th District Senate seat and I wanted her here today with me as I announce my retirement,” Peterson said.
Peterson has long been considered one of the most progressive members of the general assembly, consistently out front on social justice issues like equality, sentencing reform and raising the minimum wage. In each of the last two General Assemblies, she sponsored legislation that would repeal Delaware’s Death Penalty. The Delaware Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on its legality on Wednesday and are expected to issue an opinion on its constitutionality.
“For me, the fight to end the death penalty in Delaware has been representative of the way I always tried to legislate, by identifying gross structural inequalities and trying to eradicate them,” Peterson said.
Senate President Pro Tempore Patricia Blevins said Peterson will be deeply missed by her colleagues and the people of Delaware alike.
“Karen doesn’t just stand up for what was right, she fights for it,” Blevins said. “She is among the most articulate, passionate and well-prepared lawmakers that Dover has ever seen and as a result she has moved the needle on so many issues: expanding civil rights, increasing government transparency, and protecting children and families.”
During her legislative tenure, Peterson cultivated a reputation as one of the Senate’s most tenacious advocates for civil rights. Her tireless advocacy for gender parity and pay equity include public support of an Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and sponsorship of legislation, due for consideration today, which would add a comprehensive Equal Protection amendment to the Delaware Constitution. She was a leader in efforts to enact gender identity nondiscrimination protections, and made history when, during floor debate on legislation advancing marriage equality, she came out as the first open lesbian to serve in the state Senate.
Peterson has also used her public service to push for landmark criminal justice reform measures. She twice led the fight to repeal Delaware’s death penalty, and in July of 2015 introduced legislation – which passed the Senate and currently awaits a floor vote in the House – that would reform Delaware’s “three strikes policy” by granting judges greater discretion in their sentencing of habitual offenders, part of larger efforts to make the state’s corrections system more rehabilitative and reduce recidivism.
Beyond her social justice initiatives, Peterson has been active in the areas of:
All the while, Peterson has maintained a ceaseless focus on her Stanton district, including a strong constituent service record and leading a monumental effort to fund the relocation of families in Glenville, a 164-home community rendered uninhabitable by Tropical Storm Henri in 2003.
“I am grateful for the support and many kindnesses that so many have shown me over the past 14 years, and I am grateful to the people of the 9th Senate District for having elected me four times to serve as their senator,” Peterson said. “It has been an honor and a privilege.”
“These past 14 years have been the most challenging and rewarding years of my life, but it’s time to move on,” Peterson said. “The older you get the more you realize that life is short, and there are lots of other things I want to do in life while I’m still able to do them.”
Peterson, a Stanton Democrat, spent 28 years with the Department of Labor, retiring in 2001 as the Director of Industrial Affairs. She also spent eight years as New Castle County Council President before being elected to the Senate in 2002.
“I first started working at Legislative Hall 47 years ago – in 1969 – as a young attaché working alongside Nancy Cook and I quickly grew to love this place ,” Peterson recalled. “Over the next 28 years, I came to Dover on behalf of the Department of Labor to fight for the middle class and also as County Council President, to work on issues affecting county government. Legislative Hall has been like a second home to me for nearly 50 years. I will miss it, but I will especially miss the people who work here.”
Peterson’s announcement came with her wife, Vikki Bandy, by her side. Partners for 27 years, Peterson and Bandy were the first Delaware couple to have their civil union converted to a marriage after marriage equality became law on July 1, 2013.
“Vikki was by my side 14 years ago when I announced my candidacy for the 9th District Senate seat and I wanted her here today with me as I announce my retirement,” Peterson said.
Peterson has long been considered one of the most progressive members of the general assembly, consistently out front on social justice issues like equality, sentencing reform and raising the minimum wage. In each of the last two General Assemblies, she sponsored legislation that would repeal Delaware’s Death Penalty. The Delaware Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on its legality on Wednesday and are expected to issue an opinion on its constitutionality.
“For me, the fight to end the death penalty in Delaware has been representative of the way I always tried to legislate, by identifying gross structural inequalities and trying to eradicate them,” Peterson said.
Senate President Pro Tempore Patricia Blevins said Peterson will be deeply missed by her colleagues and the people of Delaware alike.
“Karen doesn’t just stand up for what was right, she fights for it,” Blevins said. “She is among the most articulate, passionate and well-prepared lawmakers that Dover has ever seen and as a result she has moved the needle on so many issues: expanding civil rights, increasing government transparency, and protecting children and families.”
During her legislative tenure, Peterson cultivated a reputation as one of the Senate’s most tenacious advocates for civil rights. Her tireless advocacy for gender parity and pay equity include public support of an Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and sponsorship of legislation, due for consideration today, which would add a comprehensive Equal Protection amendment to the Delaware Constitution. She was a leader in efforts to enact gender identity nondiscrimination protections, and made history when, during floor debate on legislation advancing marriage equality, she came out as the first open lesbian to serve in the state Senate.
Peterson has also used her public service to push for landmark criminal justice reform measures. She twice led the fight to repeal Delaware’s death penalty, and in July of 2015 introduced legislation – which passed the Senate and currently awaits a floor vote in the House – that would reform Delaware’s “three strikes policy” by granting judges greater discretion in their sentencing of habitual offenders, part of larger efforts to make the state’s corrections system more rehabilitative and reduce recidivism.
Beyond her social justice initiatives, Peterson has been active in the areas of:
- Child protection, where she sponsored the Child Victims Act in 2007 and the Beau Biden Child Protection Act in 2016, both among the strongest laws of their kind in the nation
- Animal cruelty, where she passed legislation protecting dogs retrieved from criminal fighting rings, allowing first responders to use force to rescue animals from hot cars, and placing dogfighting under the state’s organized crime statutes
- Open government, where her leadership and deft parliamentary maneuvering led to the passage of a landmark 2009 bill that opened up the vast majority of the General Assembly’s meetings and proceedings to the Freedom of Information Act
All the while, Peterson has maintained a ceaseless focus on her Stanton district, including a strong constituent service record and leading a monumental effort to fund the relocation of families in Glenville, a 164-home community rendered uninhabitable by Tropical Storm Henri in 2003.
“I am grateful for the support and many kindnesses that so many have shown me over the past 14 years, and I am grateful to the people of the 9th Senate District for having elected me four times to serve as their senator,” Peterson said. “It has been an honor and a privilege.”
Addressing her colleagues from the Senate floor, Sen. Karen Peterson announced her retirement from the Delaware State Senate, effective at the end of her current term.
“These past 14 years have been the most challenging and rewarding years of my life, but it’s time to move on,” Peterson said. “The older you get the more you realize that life is short, and there are lots of other things I want to do in life while I’m still able to do them.”
Peterson, a Stanton Democrat, spent 28 years with the Department of Labor, retiring in 2001 as the Director of Industrial Affairs. She also spent eight years as New Castle County Council President before being elected to the Senate in 2002.
“I first started working at Legislative Hall 47 years ago – in 1969 – as a young attaché working alongside Nancy Cook and I quickly grew to love this place ,” Peterson recalled. “Over the next 28 years, I came to Dover on behalf of the Department of Labor to fight for the middle class and also as County Council President, to work on issues affecting county government. Legislative Hall has been like a second home to me for nearly 50 years. I will miss it, but I will especially miss the people who work here.”
Peterson’s announcement came with her wife, Vikki Bandy, by her side. Partners for 27 years, Peterson and Bandy were the first Delaware couple to have their civil union converted to a marriage after marriage equality became law on July 1, 2013.
“Vikki was by my side 14 years ago when I announced my candidacy for the 9th District Senate seat and I wanted her here today with me as I announce my retirement,” Peterson said.
Peterson has long been considered one of the most progressive members of the general assembly, consistently out front on social justice issues like equality, sentencing reform and raising the minimum wage. In each of the last two General Assemblies, she sponsored legislation that would repeal Delaware’s Death Penalty. The Delaware Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on its legality on Wednesday and are expected to issue an opinion on its constitutionality.
“For me, the fight to end the death penalty in Delaware has been representative of the way I always tried to legislate, by identifying gross structural inequalities and trying to eradicate them,” Peterson said.
Senate President Pro Tempore Patricia Blevins said Peterson will be deeply missed by her colleagues and the people of Delaware alike.
“Karen doesn’t just stand up for what was right, she fights for it,” Blevins said. “She is among the most articulate, passionate and well-prepared lawmakers that Dover has ever seen and as a result she has moved the needle on so many issues: expanding civil rights, increasing government transparency, and protecting children and families.”
During her legislative tenure, Peterson cultivated a reputation as one of the Senate’s most tenacious advocates for civil rights. Her tireless advocacy for gender parity and pay equity include public support of an Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and sponsorship of legislation, due for consideration today, which would add a comprehensive Equal Protection amendment to the Delaware Constitution. She was a leader in efforts to enact gender identity nondiscrimination protections, and made history when, during floor debate on legislation advancing marriage equality, she came out as the first open lesbian to serve in the state Senate.
Peterson has also used her public service to push for landmark criminal justice reform measures. She twice led the fight to repeal Delaware’s death penalty, and in July of 2015 introduced legislation – which passed the Senate and currently awaits a floor vote in the House – that would reform Delaware’s “three strikes policy” by granting judges greater discretion in their sentencing of habitual offenders, part of larger efforts to make the state’s corrections system more rehabilitative and reduce recidivism.
Beyond her social justice initiatives, Peterson has been active in the areas of:
- Child protection, where she sponsored the Child Victims Act in 2007 and the Beau Biden Child Protection Act in 2016, both among the strongest laws of their kind in the nation
- Animal cruelty, where she passed legislation protecting dogs retrieved from criminal fighting rings, allowing first responders to use force to rescue animals from hot cars, and placing dogfighting under the state’s organized crime statutes
- Open government, where her leadership and deft parliamentary maneuvering led to the passage of a landmark 2009 bill that opened up the vast majority of the General Assembly’s meetings and proceedings to the Freedom of Information Act
All the while, Peterson has maintained a ceaseless focus on her Stanton district, including a strong constituent service record and leading a monumental effort to fund the relocation of families in Glenville, a 164-home community rendered uninhabitable by Tropical Storm Henri in 2003.
“I am grateful for the support and many kindnesses that so many have shown me over the past 14 years, and I am grateful to the people of the 9th Senate District for having elected me four times to serve as their senator,” Peterson said. “It has been an honor and a privilege.”
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Press Contacts
Scott Goss
Communications Director
(302) 744-4180
[email protected]
Dylan McDowell
Communications Assistant
(302) 744-4282
[email protected]
Scott Goss
Communications Director
(302) 744-4180
[email protected]
Dylan McDowell
Communications Assistant
(302) 744-4282
[email protected]