Sussex County Councilman Mark Schaeffer running for re-election

SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. – Sussex County Councilman Mark Schaeffer is running for re-election to represent the 3rd District.

Elected to County Council back in 2020, Schaeffer previously served as mayor of both Little Creek and Smyrna. Since assuming office, he tells us he’s never stopped helping the people he was elected to represent. In fact, he says most of what he does as a councilman is actually working directly with his constituents to improve their lives.

“I honestly deal with people on day to day basis on mundane issues,” Councilman Schaeffer explained. “Helping them, believe it or not, with car insurance, electric bills, building handicap ramps for our veterans who are disabled and can’t afford to build a ramp. That’s the majority of what I do.”

Councilman Schaeffer tells WMDT News that, if re-elected, he intends to continue his work on tightening up zoning ordinances with a focus on prioritizing funding for first responders.

“I am going to continue my work on tightening up the zoning ordinances to prevent sprawl into our ag-lands,” Councilman Schaeffer said. “And continue my fight to adequately fund our fire and EMS departments.”

Development has been at the heart of debate across the county when it comes to the council’s decision making. This is something that other candidates have expressed concerns over, specifically a past development proposal, Coral Lakes, which clear cut an entire forest. That project was approved by the council despite environmental concerns that were stressed by some advocacy groups; however, following our interview, Councilman Schaeffer wanted to emphasize that he voted against that project, not once, but twice.

When it comes to his time on council, along with land use, fighting for public safety funding, limiting government spending, and protecting property rights, Schaeffer tells us that he always prioritizes the needs of his constituents first.

“They know one thing, they’ll get a return phone call from me, and they will get help no matter what their issue,” Councilman Schaeffer emphasized. “No matter what their station of life is, they can always call me.”

Councilman Schaeffer is currently running unopposed on the Republican side. There are two candidates running in the Democratic primary for the seat, Jane Gruenebaum and Dana Paskins.

Delaware’s 2024 Primary Election is Tuesday, September 10, 2024.