In 2015, Barbieri resigned from his office to take an appointed $144,213 position as director of the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health.[2] The job position was not advertised, and Barbieri and the Democratic Party of Delaware were criticized for cronyism.[3] A special election was held to fill Barbieri's seat, which was won by David Bentz.[4] In July 2017, Barbieri resigned from his director position after a patient at one of the treatment centers he oversaw died of neglect. Barbieri was also under scrutiny due to child sexual abuse allegations against a worker at an outpatient treatment facility he owned at the time of the abuse.[5]
In 2008, Barbieri challenged Spence to a rematch and won the general election with 4,164 votes (52.0%) against Spence, who also qualified and received votes as the Working Families Party nominee.[8]
In 2010, Spence challenged Barbieri to regain his seat, setting up a third contest, which Barbieri won in the general election with 3,115 votes (53.0%) against Spence, who again qualified for the Working Families Party.[9]
In 2012, Barbieri was unopposed for the general election, winning 7,501 votes.[10]
^Offredo, Jon (July 13, 2015). "Newark Rep. Mike Barbieri resigns for state job". The News Journal. Barbieri's new job with the state will come with a salary budgeted at $144,213. State health secretary Rita Landgraf said Monday afternoon that the position, an appointment, was not advertised and does not need to be... 'Once again we see the cronyism of the Democratic majority in state government is hard at work again,' said John Fluharty, Republican party executive director.
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