In 2017, Potter and his wife, Velda Jones-Potter, were at risk of losing their home to a sheriff's sale as a result of "ongoing litigation stemming from home repairs."[4] A Delaware Superior Court judge rejected all of the couple's complaints after finding them liable for failing to pay a construction contractor over $60,000 and criticized their "kitchen sink" tactics in the litigation.[5][6] The Delaware Supreme Court rejected two appeals by the couple, and upheld a judgement of $116,000, plus interest, against them in 2018.[7]
In 2018, the Delaware Superior Court rejected an attempt by the Potters to force the City of Wilmington's Licenses and Inspections Department to hold the contractor liable for code violations. The judge ruled that the couple cannot use the city to obtain compensation for losing their earlier legal disputes and criticized their use of the courts as spiteful.[8] The Potters' appeal to the Delaware Supreme Court was rejected in 2019.[9]
Shortly before losing his bid for reelection in the Democratic primary, Potter used his position on the floor of the Delaware House of Representatives to criticize the Superior Court judges who had ruled against him.[10][2]
Electoral history
In 2006, Potter challenged incumbent Democrat Harris McDowell III for the Senate District 1 seat in a four-way primary election. He lost, coming in second with 31.6% of the vote.[11]
In 2012, Potter won the three-way Democratic primary with 2,546 votes (63.9%) to replace Dennis P. Williams, who was running for mayor of Wilmington.[12] He was elected unopposed in the general election with 9,321 votes.[13]
In 2014, Potter was unopposed in the general election, winning 4,691 votes.[14]
In 2016, Potter was unopposed in the general election, winning 8,901 votes.[15]
In 2018, Potter lost the Democratic primary to Nnamdi Chukwuocha, who won 2,306 votes (59.6%) against Potter.[16]
^ abJedra, Christina (September 6, 2018). "Chukwuocha ousts Potter from Delaware House". The News Journal. Potter used his position on the House floor to name and shame judges who decided against him.
^Parra, Esteban; Jedra, Christina (August 16, 2017). "Political duo's Wilmington home faces sheriff's sale". The News Journal. A well-known political duo may lose their Wilmington house at next month's sheriff's sale following nearly five years of litigation over a home-improvement contract that a judge referred to as 'tortured history.' ... The defendants' tactics were compared to a 'kitchen sink' approach by Superior Court Judge Abigail M. LeGrow who last month denied—in great detail—an appeal by the Potters.
^Jedra, Christina (April 16, 2018). "Wilmington not obligated to join Potters' housing battle, judge says". The News Journal. Judge Charles Butler said on Monday it is Wilmington's prerogative whether or not to enforce code violations and that he would not order the administration to get involved. 'Y'all fought your fight with SC&A... the litigation didn't turn out well,' Butler said. 'So now you want to use the city's L&I enforcement authority to get what you didn't get in your arbitration action." ... The judge suggested the money the Potters spent on a lawyer would be better spent just fixing the work they allege is defective. 'These people are all cutting off their nose to spite their face,' Butler said.
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