BRIDGEVILLE – Democratic Senate candidate Polly Adams Mervine has gained the backing of the state’s largest employee union in her quest to win an Aug. 3 special election for the open 19th District Senate seat.
“Winning the support of our teachers is especially meaningful to me because I have been a teacher,” said Adams Mervine. “If I’m elected, I will do everything in my power to live up to the trust in me that’s being demonstrated by this endorsement.”
Adams Mervine served as a second grade teacher at North Laurel Elementary School and taught English overseas when her husband, Jay, was stationed in Japan with the Marine Corps.
Adams Mervine, a Democrat, is one of four hopefuls seeking the seat which opened last month after Senate President Pro Tem Thurman Adams died from pancreatic cancer. Sen. Adams was Adams Mervine’s father.
Candidates for the seat were screened by teachers from Cape Henlopen, Indian River, Milford, Woodbridge, and Sussex Tech school districts. In a letter to the more than 600 teachers who live in the district, Union President Diane Donohue, praised Adams Mervine’s knowledge of education issues facing the state.
“She was able to discuss details of issues, such as the recent salary cuts, our health and pension plans as well as vouchers and charter schools,” Donohue said in the letter to the union’s membership. “Issues that brought out the most passion from Polly Mervine were those recalled from her own teaching experience, such as class size … We believe that the thoughtfulness, preparation, and sincerity that Polly Adams Mervine brought to the interview as a candidate will mirror her approach to being a Senator.”
