Delaware State Senate District 12 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Delaware, 2022

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On the ballot:  • U.S. House • State executive offices • State Senate • State House • Special state legislative

This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Delaware State Senate District 12 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

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• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Delaware State Senate District 12

Incumbent Nicole Poore defeated Bill Alexander in the general election for Delaware State Senate District 12 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Nicole Poore (D)	62.1	10,226
		Bill Alexander (R)	37.9	6,228

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 16,454
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

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Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Bill Alexander (R)

We need true public servants in office, and NOT politicians who bow to special interest groups. Everyone should be served equally, regardless of political affiliation, zip code, chosen lifestyle, or any other demographics. That's what a true leader does, and that's what I vow to do for ALL people.

Our Constitutional rights should never be at risk of being taken away. Whether it's our 1st Amendment rights, 2nd Amendment rights, 4th Amendment rights, etc., they are the bedrock of a free society.

I will be an ambassador to the people I vow to serve, not an ambassador to any political or other group.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Bill Alexander (R)

Constitutional rights, educational excellence, and public safety. All three are equally important.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Bill Alexander (R)

Ronald Reagan. I am a true Reagan Republican desiring to reinvigorate that style of leadership and honor.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Bill Alexander (R)

The book "Killer Angels," which yielded the film "Gettysburg."

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Bill Alexander (R)

Honesty, consistency and transparency.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Bill Alexander (R)

Honesty, consistency and transparency. I also finish whatever I start, and I listen before making big decisions.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Bill Alexander (R)

Serve the PEOPLE by having their backs, regardless of party affiliation. That's what REAL leaders do, and that's what is missing in our General Assembly today.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Bill Alexander (R)

A better life for all.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Bill Alexander (R)

First American on the Moon in 1969. I was 7 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Bill Alexander (R)

I worked as a dishwasher/porter at a local restaurant, starting at age 14. I worked the job through high school until I enlisted in the Army.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Bill Alexander (R)

"The Norton Anthology of English Literature." I know it's mostly a textbook, but it's a collection of such great literary works. I still have mine since my undergrad days in college, and I still read it-- especially my favorites: Coleridge, Keats and Tennyson. As far as one-author, one-title books, my favorite is "All Quiet on the Western Front." However, topping all lists is the Holy Bible, which contains words by which I seek to live.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Bill Alexander (R)

"The Sign" by Ace of Base, since we put out a video with that song as the backdrop, after our campaign team emplaced tons of signs throughout our senate district. That song stuck in my head for days thereafter!

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Bill Alexander (R)

I am my own hardest critic. Whatever I do never seems "good enough" in my mind, and I am always striving for better.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Bill Alexander (R)

Our Constitution has delineated Articles 1, 2 and 3 to maintain the checks and balances between the branches of government. I feel that that governor (as head of the executive branch) should have a good rapport with the General Assembly (legislative branch), but not one that puts undo pressure on the legislature to pass laws that are NOT the will of the people..

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Bill Alexander (R)

We need to significantly improve our public education system, and ensure that our kids receive an excellent education, regardless of zip code. To do this, our elected officials need to LISTEN to K-12 educators and K-12 administrators. They have the answers, but have not been given the respect of their experiences by our elected officials over the past several years. I strongly desire to give them a voice, and act upon their experiential input. Once we empower their advice, there is no doubt that Delaware's education system will skyrocket.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Bill Alexander (R)

I believe the current bicameral General Assembly in Delaware (with the House of Representatives and the House of Senate) would work more efficiently than if we changed it to a unicameral system with only one chamber. The overlapping work of state reps and state senators is a better system for responding to constituent issues (potholes, traffic concerns, land usage, etc.); and, having a two-chamber majority required for bill passage also ensures that laws are better analyzed before enacted. The unicameral system may be more simplistic, thus streamlining legislation, but it could potentially result in a lack of representation of the people across the board, as well as create a slower response to constituent issues. Above all, the due process that we see when both houses seek to pass legislation would be impaired.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Bill Alexander (R)

No.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Bill Alexander (R)

100 percent, yes. The substance of the bill needs to be the emphasis when it comes to enacting a law, and not the bill's sponsor and his/her related political party. With regard to constituent issues, legislators need to work with each other across party lines to ensure the infrastructure serves the population adequately. Politics, per se, should have no bearing upon helping constituents with issues.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Bill Alexander (R)

First off, redistricting should only take place when necessary due to population shifts. When it is necessary, it should require a 2/3 majority vote if any legislators are added; or, a simple majority vote if no new legislators are added to the redistricting plan.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Bill Alexander (R)

I will serve on any committee where my talents are best suited. From my experience, I feel I would contribute greatly to the following committees-- Corrections & Public Safety, Education, Judiciary, Labor, Rules & Ethics, and Veterans Affairs. I would also be honored to serve on the Bond Bill and/or Joint Finance Committees.

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

Bill Alexander (R)

I have never sought public office in the past.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Bill Alexander (R)

Ronald Reagan

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Bill Alexander (R)

No. And, I believe in term limits as well.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Bill Alexander (R)

Well, being of the "Three Stooges" era of humor, there are so many great jokes. Here's one:

Air used to be free at the gas station, now it's $1.50. You know why? Inflation.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Bill Alexander (R)

The will of the people necessitates standing behind what is right. In some cases, compromise is not an option. In some cases, compromise is necessary.

See also

More about these elections:

• Delaware State Senate elections, 2022

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