Lewes mayor will not seek re-election, Marasco announces run
Lewes Mayor Andrew Williams has announced he will not seek re-election. Williams dropped the bombshell as the Feb. 10 council meeting was about to adjourn.
“There are some personal things in my life, both good and bad, and you have to sort of weigh those things because you’re signing up for a full three-year term. I’ve made the decision that I’m not up for it,” Williams said.
Williams said he would have more to say closer to the end of his term. Williams was elected in 2022, defeating incumbent Mayor Ted Becker.
Just hours after Williams’ announcement, Councilwoman Amy Marasco told the Cape Gazette she will file to run for mayor.
“I would not have run against [Williams]. I think he’s been a good mayor,” Marasco said. She said she plans to file the paperwork March 1, the first day of the filing period.
Marasco is serving her first term on city council. She previously served on the Lewes Planning Commission and chaired its environmental subcommittee and co-chaired the financial stewardship subcommittee with Councilman Joe Elder. Marasco has been a full-time Lewes resident since 2021.
She said she plans to run on her experience as the vice mayor and a school board member in a small town in Virginia, and her experience in starting businesses and a nonprofit.
Marasco said she her campaign will have a three-prong agenda: long-term financial stability, establishing a resiliency fund and improving community engagement.
“I want to try new things, new ways. I want to go to where people are, not expect them to come to us,” Marasco said. “I love public service.”
Deputy Mayor Khalil Saliba told the Cape Gazette that he is considering a run for mayor, but that it is not likely.
Councilman Tim Ritzert said he is also considering running.
Councilman Joe Elder said he is happy where he is and is not running.
Williams said he would not rule out running again in the future, but is taking a break so he “might have the energy to do that.”
Betsy Reamer, executive director of the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, worked closely with Williams to promote Lewes businesses.
“We had a good working relationship that began during COVID when we worked to keep locally owned businesses open,” Reamer said.
Williams and Reamer recorded a series of TV commercials for the “Love Lewes” campaign aimed at letting people know local merchants were open during and after the pandemic.
Jim Ford spent 12 years on city council and 10 years as mayor before he decided not to run again in 2014.
“The job was very demanding in time and commitment. I think it’s even more so now,” Ford said. “I was 61. I had grandkids. As I got closer to retirement, I wanted to finish out my job and focus on family. It was time to move on.”
He said he is looking forward to watching this year’s election from the sidelines.
“It’s all part of local politics. It’s more fun to watch than to participate,” Ford said.
The filing period for the May 10 municipal election will be March 1 through April 3.
