John Atkins (Delaware)

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John Atkins
Image of John Atkins
Prior offices
Delaware House of Representatives District 41

Personal
Profession
Owner, Blue Hen Disposal

John C. Atkins is a former Democratic member of the Delaware House of Representatives, representing District 41 from 2009 to 2015. He switched parties, from Republican to Democrat, in 2008.

Biography

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Atkins is the owner of Blue Hen Disposal.[1]

Committee assignments

2013-2014

At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Atkins served on the following committees:

Delaware committee assignments, 2013
Agriculture, Chair
Gaming & Parimutuels
Manufactured Housing
Natural Resources
Telecommunication Internet & Technology, Vice Chair
Veterans Affairs

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Atkins served on these committees:

2009-2010

In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Atkins served on these committees:

Issues

Atkins' sponsored legislation includes:

  • HB 107 - "requires that any rental payments or rental increases shall be paid in equal, pro rata, amounts extended equally over a calendar year. Any requirement of a lump sum payment for rent shall be forbidden, unless the tenant requests such payment, and the owner/landlord agrees to such lump sum payment."
  • HB 215 - "The State of Delaware spent more than 9 million dollars in FY2008 publishing legal notices in newspapers throughout the State. This Act will use the internet as a means to modernize the notice requirements for procurement bids, agency meetings, and public hearings. This Act will require State agencies to electronically publish notice of all procurement contracts subject to the bid requirements of Chapter 69 of Title 29 by January 1, 2010."
  • HB 258 - "increases, from $34.50 to $65.00, the filing fee assessed by the Superior Court in connection with an application for a license to carry a concealed deadly weapon."

For details and a full listing of sponsored bills, see the House site.

Resignation from safety committee

After making derogatory statements about a policeman, State Rep. John Atkins resigned from the Delaware House of Representatives' public safety committee in late March 2012.[2]

After he was pulled over for speeding, Atkins complained about the traffic officer in a strongly worded email to state police. According to reports, the email blasted the policeman and hinted that the representative could seek revenge in the legislature. Atkins has said that media have misconstrued his email, but did not specify how. Because of resulting media outcry, Atkins resigned his position on the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.[2]

Atkins had recently come under scrutiny over tire-burning on his father-in-law's property. A former state trooper confronted Atkins at the scene, and wound up punching Atkins. The ex-trooper says Atkins has covered up his complicity in the tire-burning. Atkins says he was not involved the illegal activity, and his father-in-law plead guilty. The state Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control reviewed the incident and decided not to charge Rep. Atkins.[3]

Elections

2014

See also: Delaware House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for the Delaware House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on September 9, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was July 8, 2014. Incumbent John C. Atkins was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Richard G. Collins was unopposed in the Republican primary. Atkins was defeated by Collins in the general election.[4][5][6]

Delaware House of Representatives, District 41, General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngRichard G. Collins 52.2% 3,189
     Democratic John C. Atkins Incumbent 47.8% 2,919
Total Votes 6,108

2012

See also: Delaware House of Representatives elections, 2012

Atkins ran in the 2012 election for Delaware House of Representatives District 41. Atkins ran unopposed in the Democratic primary on September 11, 2012 and defeated Richard Collins in the general election on November 6, 2012.[7]

Delaware House of Representatives, District 41, General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngJohn Atkins Incumbent 50.4% 4,421
     Republican Richard Collins 49.6% 4,352
Total Votes 8,773

2010

See also: Delaware House of Representatives elections, 2010

On November 2, 2010, Atkins won re-election in the 41st District. He defeated Gregory A. Hastings in the general election.[8]

Delaware House of Representatives, District 41
2010 General election results
Candidates Votes Percent
Green check mark transparent.png John Atkins (D) 4,865 55.3%
Gregory A. Hastings (R) 3,926 44.7%

2008

See also: Delaware House of Representatives elections, 2008

On November 4, 2008, Atkins won election to the Delaware House of Representatives from Delaware's 41st District, defeating Gregory Hastings (R). Atkins received 5,665 votes in the election while Hastings received 5,025 votes.[9] Atkins raised $85,559 for his campaign; Hastings raised $76,346.[10]

Delaware House of Representatives, District 41
Candidates Votes Percent
Green check mark transparent.png John Atkins (D) 5,665 53.0%
Gregory Hastings (R) 5,025 47.0%

Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


John Atkins campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2012Delaware State House, District 41Won $27,996 N/A**
2010Delaware State House, District 41Won $10,767 N/A**
2008Delaware State House, District 41Won $85,559 N/A**
Grand total$124,322 N/A**
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Delaware

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states.  To contribute to the list of Delaware scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.











2014

In 2014, the Delaware General Assembly was in session from January 14 through July 1.

Legislators are scored on votes which relate to family issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.


2013

Recent news

This section links to a Google news search for the term John + Atkins + Delaware + House

See also

External links

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by
-
Delaware House District 41
2008–2015
Succeeded by
Richard Collins (R)


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