GOP gubernatorial candidate Jerrold Price would bring police focus to Delaware office

Former New York City and Rehoboth police officer Jerrold Price wants to bring a fresh perspective as Delaware's next governor – one that’s outside the political arena of the First State but still aligns with the priorities of the Republican Party.

The Lewes resident said if elected, he would prioritize hiring more police officers to address crime issues across Delaware; hiring counselors to work with those struggling with addiction; and working with established entities to offer more affordable housing.

Price also emphasized a desire to bring more transparency to state government.

“I want to bring cameras into everything. I'm about saving lives and making the state better,” he told the Delaware Online/The News Journal editorial board on Friday, Aug. 30. “With these politicians, they are so worried about the next election or who is giving them money, and that's not right. You got to do what’s right for the people.”

Price is one of three Republican candidates running for Delaware governor in this year’s election. He will square off against state Rep. Mike Ramone and Bridgeville resident Bobby Williamson on Sept. 10 in the primary election.

Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer and former state environmental secretary Collin O’Mara are vying for the Democratic line for state governor.

As a largely Democratic state, Delaware’s most prominent elected offices, like Wilmington mayor and state governor, are typically decided in the primary election.

Of the three Republican candidates in the gubernatorial race, Ramone is the only candidate who has raised money for his run.

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By comparison, Price – who announced his run for governor in December – did not collect any donations this year, instead loaning his campaign a collective $13,106 to cover campaign-related expenses, according to the latest campaign finance reporting submitted to the Delaware Department of Elections.

Here are the takeaways on what a Price administration would look like if the former police officer is elected as Delaware governor:

Hire more police

Price said he would hire 100 officers “right off the bat” to ensure full capacity with the Delaware State Police due to retirements and “other reasons.”

He said he wants to “get it up a lot more” so that he can create a “neighborhood stabilization unit” that could dispatch a group of state police to any given community needing an additional police presence.

This would also translate into additional resources for dealing with people suffering from drug and alcohol addiction, Price said.

The Lewes resident said he wants to give people the opportunity to go to rehabilitation.

If you “catch them buying drugs,” Price said he doesn’t want to put them in jail, but instead offer rehab. If they “fail rehab” then they would go to jail, he said, if you “pass rehab” the person would get “six months of probation.”

Everyone should ‘release their taxes’

The former police officer also pledged to make Delaware government more transparent, starting first with ensuring that cameras are everywhere.

“I want to bring cameras into everything, especially the legislature,” Price said. “If it’s newsworthy, I’m going to put it out there. I’m going to put it out there no matter what.”

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The Delaware General Assembly already has cameras recording its legislative sessions and committee meetings, which can be replayed on the legislature’s website.

Price also said all elected officials should “release their taxes,” whether running for a local, county or state office.

Personal negotiations for affordability

As the First State’s governor, Price said he would personally negotiate with the state Department of Finance and owners of open land and farmland to build affordable housing units for first responders and veterans.

That would expand to other populations, too, he added. The expectation would be that everyone given access to this housing would be working, Price said.

He said he would take a similar approach to getting affordable pricing for nursing home care.

Price said he would sit down with the finance community and the heads of nursing homes and insurance companies to get close to a “better deal.”

“I can’t let people just lose everything,” he said. “We got to work out a better plan.”

Republican edge

Price was quick to stress that he is his “own person” and doesn’t necessarily follow “party leads.”

“I believe in the parties, but I have my own opinions on how to do things,” he said. “You’re working for the people, that’s the only thing that matters.”

But Price also took issue with his Republican opponent Mike Ramone not backing former President Donald Trump in his bid for reelection as president, as well as other actions Ramone has taken as state representative for the 21^st District.

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“He’s just catering to his individual community, but not in a good way,” Price said. “I mean, he’s buying votes with taxpayer money, as I see it. He doesn’t see it that way.”

Price took issue with Ramone supporting House Bill 110 approved during the latest General Assembly session that concluded June 30, which requires all health insurance plans cover abortion services.

The Lewes resident also stressed that only “two genders” would be recognized; he would never close small businesses like what happened in the pandemic; he wouldn’t mandate electric cars; and he’d support the aid-in-dying bill so long as he knows where the money is going.

“Let’s try to help people, but not everything has to be paid for by the government,” Price said.

Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at [email protected], or by calling or texting 302-598-5507. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Jerrold Price takes police focus in GOP run for Delaware governor