WDEL | by Mark Fowser
A candidate for statewide office has more on her mind than just rounding up votes.
Kathleen Davies is dealing with the ramifications of a supposedly confidential personnel report that was released to the media and published just weeks before the election.
The release has prompted calls for a state investigation, while Davies tries to keep focused on her campaign to replace retiring State Auditor Tom Wagner – with whom she worked for several years.
Appearing on The Rick Jensen Show on WDEL Wednesday, Davies said “I realized that while this has been a very unpleasant experience, I’m not the only state employee that’s gone through something like this.”
Davies refuted key points in the published report, including allegations that she facilitated a hostile work environment.
“Some people have said I’m naive, that I’m naive because I wanted the workers to work,” Davies said. “I didn’t allow them to do politics during state hours.”
Two lawmakers, Representative John Kowalko (D- Newark South) and Representative Kim Williams (D- Newport), have asked Attorney General Matt Denn to open an investigation into the release of the report, which was commissioned by Wagner.
Kowalko joined Davies on The Rick Jensen Show.
“I say that there’s a certain sacred sanctity to confidential reports, but especially when they involved personnel actions that are in the midst of an adjudication proceeding,” Kowalko said.
Davies is one of three Democrats running for State Auditor in the September 6th primary. Former State Representative Dennis E. Williams and Rehoboth Beach Commissioner Kathy McGuiness are also seeking the party nomination.
“I’m not afraid to stand up against special interests, and do the job,” Davies said.