Eric Levin
Elections and appointments
Personal
Contact
Eric Levin (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Delaware State Senate to represent District 5. He lost in the Democratic primary on September 15, 2020.
Levin completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Levin's professional experience includes being a small business owner. He earned a bachelor's degree from The University of Delaware in 1996 and a Master's degree from The London School of Economics in 1999.[1]
Levin has been affiliated with the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce.[1]
Elections
2020
See also: Delaware State Senate elections, 2020
General election
Democratic primary election
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Catherine Cloutier advanced from the Republican primary for Delaware State Senate District 5.
Endorsements
To view Levin's endorsements in the 2020 election, please click here.
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Eric Levin completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Levin's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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My name is Eric Levin and I grew up in North Wilmington. I attended Brandywine School District schools and graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1992. Later, I received my BA in Political Science from the University of Delaware and my Master's Degree in European Studies from the London School of Economics.
Professionally, I have worked for former Delaware Governor and now current U.S. Senator Tom Carper. Also, I taught American Government at both the collegiate and high school levels.
In 2014, I bravely became a small business owner. I am proud to be a co-owner of Tutoring Club. Through my business, I am able to help kids on a daily basis. Also, Tutoring Club works with non-profits like Delaware Futures. I am proud to be a small business owner and job creator.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family (I am a proud uncle of 8 lovely nieces and nephews), following sports - especially the Philadelphia 76ers, and watching movies.
- I am a lifelong resident of Brandywine Hundred and the 5th District. I understand the concerns and needs of local residents. I want to serve my friends and neighbors.
- I want to help the community get through all the challenges posed to it by Covid-19.
- As your State Senator, I will work tirelessly to represent you in Dover. I want to represent everyone in the community. Even those people who do not vote for me.
I am passionate about providing excellent constituent services to the residents of the 5th Senate District. Also, I am concerned about the following public policies - business and economic development; education; infrastructure; healthcare and mental healthcare; public safety; gun reform; workers' rights; income inequality; paid leave; the environment; drug addiction; civil rights; and criminal justice reform.
Finally, I want to be part of the discussion on police reforms. While I support necessary reforms in law enforcement, I am against defunding the police.
I look up to my mom Charlotte Levin. My father died when I was 10. My mom had to reinvent herself and become both the matriarch and patriarch of my family. I am very proud of her. She is very generous with her time and is willing to listen to anyone who has problems. Complete strangers open up to her about their problems. It's really amazing to me. I am proud to call Charlotte Levin my mom, friend, and mentor.
When I used to teach political science, I always showed Mr. Smith Goes to Washington to my classes. America could use more servants like Jefferson Smith, an idealistic fictional U.S. Senator played by Jimmy Stewart.
I believe that a successful State Senator must be one that is willing to listen to the opinions of others. I am open minded and I do not know all the answers to problems. Also, an elected official must be empathetic to succeed.
I have a strong heart. I am willing to listen to the opinions of others. I never make the same mistake twice. I have a tireless commitment to serve my community. I do not give up. Most importantly, I am empathetic and committed to bringing civility back to the General Assembly.
The core responsibilities for someone elected to this office include representing constituents regarding problems, attending civic association meetings, holding regular information meetings for constituents, and introducing and voting on legislation.
I want people to know that I am authentic. I do not lie. Residents of the 5th will come to see me as a moderate legislator who was never driven by ideology. I am a uniter rather than a divider.
I remember being exposed to the Holocaust in 1982 when I watched a television movie called the Wall. I was about 8 or 9. It upset me a lot and I had nightmares for years. As a Jewish American, the Holocaust has been formative in my development as a person. I have met so many survivors over the years in the Wilmington community. Also, I lost a large portion of my family in Eastern Europe.
My first job was working at McDonald's on Concord Pike. I worked there for a year. I truly loved working there. I must admit, I love fast food. We had the most diverse working team at McDonald's. It was a great life experience for me, a 15-year-old middle class suburban high school kid.
I always loved the Great Gatsby. I read it both in high school and in college. I got more out of the book while in college. Gatsby's story is so fascinating. He is willing to do so much to meet his long lost love Daisy Buchanan. He buys a house and throws parties in Long Island. Unfortunately, in the end, things do not work out for Gatsby.
Recently, I watched the screen adaption of Philip Roth's "The Plot Against America" on HBO. I related to the fictional character of Herman Levin. He is virtuous and ethical.
Can't Stop That Feeling by Justin Timberlake.
For many years, I did not know what I wanted to do with my life. This period included part of my 20s and most of my 30s. Everything changed for me in 2013, when I decided to become my own boss and start a small business.
Each State Senator has at least double the number of constituents served as a State Representative. Also, the bicameral legislative system better models the example of congress than the unicameral system.
To be successful, I believe that it is very important for state legislators to have a variety of previous experiences. That would include previous experiences in government, politics, and in business. Also, life experiences are essential to making an effective and empathetic legislator.
For a variety of reasons, the single greatest challenge to Delaware has been Covid-19. Our hospitals and healthcare workers are working hard to keep in check the pandemic. I am so proud of our healthcare providers. Every day, they put their lives on the line for the residents of Delaware.
Delaware's businesses are being disrupted by Covid-19. Many small businesses have been forced to close due to a lack of cash reserves and a loss of income. As a small business owner, I am fully aware of this problem. I supported the passage of the federal relief package which is called the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act. If Delaware's businesses close, the state will face significant budgetary challenges in the near future.
Delaware must do its part to help the state's healthcare system, residents, and small businesses. Here's are a list of things that Delaware's government can do immediately -
1. Make sure that Covid-19 testing is available and free to all Delawareans throughout the state. People need to know that they have access to testing.
2. Increase the number of Covid-19 contact tracers employed by the state.
3. Delaware needs to introduce additional loan programs to cover industries that do not fit into the hospitality sector.
4. Use some of $1.25 billion received in federal aid to replenish the Delaware Unemployment Compensation Fund before it runs out of money.
Finally, I wanted to send out a message to my fellow Delawareans. You must do your part to stem the spread of Covid-19. Continue to wear face masks in public places and practice social distancing.
I believe that the governor and the state legislature must work together as separate and equal branches of government. That is why we have a checks and balances system in Delaware's government. If I am elected, I look forward to working with Governor Carney. However, my primary responsibility is to represent the residents of the 5th State Senate District down in Dover.
Of course. I believe it's beneficial to build relationships with other legislators on both sides of the aisle. It is always good to learn from people who come from various backgrounds and have different life experiences.
One concern I hear from voters is that they never know who their representatives are. Who can blame them as the legislative redistricting process occurs every 10 years following the completion of the national census.
I am concerned about the redistricting process and gerrymandering. I am opposed to a system that benefits only one group, the incumbents. Voters should be the ones to choose their representatives rather than officials choosing their voters. Otherwise, we cannot claim to have a true participatory democracy.
Over 20 states currently utilize some form of non-partisan or bi-partisan redistricting. Why not Delaware? The responsibility for redistricting must be taken out of the hands of our state legislature. An independent non-partisan commission must be responsible for legislative redistricting. I would like to serve on the Delaware State Senate's Banking, Business & Insurance Committee, Elections, Government & Community Affairs Committee, and Education Committee.
In time, I would be interested in joining the leadership of the Democratic Party. However, that is not a primary goal of mine. My primary goal is to represent the residents of the 5th State Senate District in Dover.
I would model myself after Senator Harris McDowell. He has been committed to public service for over 40 years.
No. I am fully focused on running for State Senator in the 5th District. That is what I am concerned about.
Every day, I make personal campaign calls to residents in the 5th Senate District. Many times, they will open up to me about their personal problems. I know that it is important to listen to them. Recently, I have talked to Covid-19 and cancer survivors. I found their stories heartwarming. I want to fight for these people in Dover.
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.
See also
External links
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on August 19, 2020
Leadership
Majority Leader:Bryan Townsend
Minority Leader:Gerald Hocker
Senators
Democratic Party (15)
Republican Party (6)
