DNC Delaware Superdelegates
Mass. loss hurts Senate Democrats

By Off The Bus — The Huffington Post

John D. Daniello State Chairman
Delaware
Basic Bio
* Described by the DOVER POST as a “veteran political warrior” in May of 2005 when he was elected the State Chairman of the Delaware Democratic Party
* Has a reputation as a master political organizer “more comfortable delivering voters rather than speeches” (DOVER POST). It has been said that the Chairman never met a Republican he thinks should hold public office.
* The Chairman’s politics are grounded in the labor movement.
* A tough, loyal Democrat the Chairman knows from personal experience and is extremely sensitive to the dilemma of competing candidates committing fratricide to win a primary election only to have been so weakened they are defeated in November.
* “Old School” political “Boss”.
* Successful in his world because he “knows who his friends are, can count votes and delivers.” DELAWARE GRAPEVINE
* Successful because he brings into the Democratic tent and provides seats at the table to a lot of voices including women and minorities.
* Works closely with the unions and both watch each others backs.

Political interests and issues
* Don’t make no waves, don’t back no losers (The title of a book written years ago about Mayor Daley’s Cook County Democratic Machine)
* The interests of organized labor
* Big issue was embodied in HB 177 that would prevent major party candidates to be cross endorsed by third parties or be endorsed by third parties alone. The bill was defeated in June of last years and the Chairman took a hit. He has or will be trying again.
* Concern is the rise of the Working Families Party

Involvement in the Democratic Party
* Daniello has been involved in local and state politics since 1960 when he served as a New Castle County councilman, congressional candidate, cabinet secretary and New Castle County Democratic Chair.
* Has held offices that include New Castle County Democratic Chair
* New Castle County Councilman
* Cabinet Secretary
* Commissioner of the now defunct “Levy Court”
* The Chairman routinely appears in the press and is viewed generally as an astute, if dated, party boss.
* Is the public spokesperson for the Party.
* People would know Chairman Daniello because he has been involved in politics for almost 50 years at varying levels. He is a crusty, tough fighter who is always quotable. http://www.delawareonline.com, http://www.doverpost.com, http://www.delawaregrapevine.com

Pledged Status
* Resents the term “Superdelegate”.
* Will wait until after April Convention in Delaware before announcing who he will support http://www.delawareonline.com, http://www.doverpost.com, http://www.delawaregrapevine.com, http://www.delawarewatch.blogspot.com
* Is not pledged to any candidate. Has said that the unpledged delegates are also unpledged state officials from Delaware and that they will act in the interested of Delaware.

Family’s Involvement in Politics, the Democratic Party
* Daughter, Elizabeth Daniello Maron, also a party official, said her father is a “lifelong Democrat, born on Delaware Day.” (DOVER POST) Delaware Day is December 7th, the day Delaware became the first state to ratify the United States Constitution on 1787 as well as in 1932, a year in which Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected President of the United States.

Connections to Politicians, Leaders on State Level
* Along with other posts, early in his career, the Chairman served as a “Levy Court” commissioner, one of a three member panel that ran New Castle County. The Levy Court, had the power to levy taxes until it was superceded in 1966 election by a county executive and council.
* Unpopular with some Democrats who remember the fight he had with Samuel L. Shipley for the congressional nomination. Chairman Daniello won but was so weakened that he lost the congressional election to Pierre Dupont who went on to a twelve year career as Governor after a 3 terms as Congressman. It wasn’t until Thomas Carper won the congressional seat back for the Democrats. http://www.doverpost.com, http://www.delawaregrapevine.com

This profile was produced through HuffPost’s OffTheBus Superdelegate Investigation. All profiles will be donated to the Superdelegate Transparency Project. If you have information that should be added to this profile, please join the Superdelegate Transparency Project and update the profile there.

Rhett D. Ruggerio
National committeeman, Delaware state Democratic Party
Delaware
Basic Bio
* Ruggerio’s experience with legislative affairs, public strategies, government relations and state/municipal lobbying led him to start RRGR, LLC in 2005.
* Political career began in Wilmington, Delaware where he ran a successful campaign defeat the long-time incumbent and got James M. Baker elected to Mayor in 1999.
* Asked to serve as Executive Assistant to the Mayor. During his tenure with the City, Rhett worked directly with the Mayor, City Council Members and City Government Department Heads to direct key policy initiatives and affect change.
* Also served as the chief lobbyist for the City of Wilmington from 2000 to 2005, and successfully chaired the Mayor Baker’s Re-Election Campaign in 2004.
* Rhett was elected National Committeeman for the Delaware Democratic Party in 2005, which is a position he still holds today.
* Rhett was also appointed to Chair the Coordinated Campaign for the Delaware Democratic Party in 2006, where he worked on behalf of the Democratic Party, along with U.S. Senator Tom R. Carper, State Treasurer Jack Markell and Attorney General Beau Biden.
* Currently acting as a Senior Advisor to Mayor James M. Baker’s 2008 Re-Election Committee.
* In addition to current role, Rhett actively serves on many Boards and Committees. http://rrgrllc.com/Bio.html

Political interests and issues
* Member, Delaware Public Integrity Commission http://delawaregov.us/pic/index.cfm?ref-74284

Involvement in the Democratic Party
* Been quoted in The Washington Times: http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080305/NATION/958284099/1002

and quoted in The Wilmington News Journal Feb. 7 http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080207/NEWS/802070335/1006/NEWS

Pledged Status
* Via my phone interview with Mr. Ruggerio Friday March 14: “After Joe Biden got out of the race, I spoke with Sen. Clinton. I like her leadership qualities. She’s a tough woman and she’s on the right side of the issues.” “The DNC rules that you can endorse or not — it’s a matter of what you want to do.” “There’s no doubt we will go into a brokered convention,” he stated, emphatically. “Although I’ve declared my support for Sen. Clinton, that doesn’t mean I can’t change my mind, depending on the outcome over the next few months. I think a lot of people are Democrats first, and supporters of their candidates, second. We should support the nominee.”
* Is 37, born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware, and lives there now.
* Ran the mayor’s campaign (Mayor James Baker).
* Ruggerio was promoted to Exec Ass’t.
* In 2005 he started a lobbying firm.
* Will be a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention.

Involvement in the 2008 Election
* Publicly declared endorsement of Sen. Hillary Clinton, and serves as a member of Clinton’s Delaware Steering Committee.

Contributions to Candidate
* $1,000 to Biden For President, December 2007

Previous Campaign Work
* Wilmington, Delaware Mayor James Baker

Connections to Politicians, Leaders on State Level
* Wilmington mayor James Baker

Karen Valentine

Delaware

Political interests and issues
* Works for AFSCME Local Council 81
* Very active in workers rights
* Has written clearly/articulately about the needs of workers; social activism; ability to change one’s mind on choice of candidate as a superdelegate. http://council81.homestead.com/main.html
http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080226/NEWS/802260343

Involvement in the Democratic Party
* Democractic National Committeewoman since July 2004

Pledged Status
* January 2008 pledged support for Hillary Clinton

Involvement in the 2008 Election
* Delaware Steering Committee 1-23-08 http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=5427

Previous Campaign Work and Experience
* DNC member undeclared July 2004