Marcus Henry wins nomination for executive
Supporters cheer for Marcus Henry at election headquarters at the Delaware City Fire Hall on September 10, 2024
Gee Johnson/Special to Delaware News Journal
Many primary elections in Delaware have been full of surprises and upsets – and this year was no exception.
Tuesday’s primary saw several first-time and long-standing candidates clinch victories in state and county-level elections and a few surprises along the way.
From current Gov. John Carney’s projected triumph in Wilmington’s mayoral election to a major upset in Wilmington’s 5th District, here are key takeaways from Tuesday’s primaries.
Matt Meyer: We beat insider interests
Matt Meyer told supporters that “a small group had chosen their next governor” but his primary victory – and the votes of thousands of Delawareans – upset the plans of a few, Tuesday, Sept.10, 2024.
First-time candidate wins primary, ousts Longhurst
The Democratic primary race in House District 15 in the Bear area saw first-time candidate Kamela “Kam” T. Smith upsetting current state Speaker of the House Valerie Longhurst.
Her first political campaign, Smith built her platform on advocating for universal access to quality and affordable mental health care; increased accountability, equity and transparency within state government; and further funding for students, teachers and schools across the First State.
In an interview with Delaware Online/The News Journal, Smith reflected on her win, saying that her victory “proves that something new is possible.”
“It feels really good,” Smith said. “I want to take some time to feel it.”
Having represented Bear for nearly two decades, Longhurst ran her campaign highlighting her legislative career, including advocating for increased access to quality mental health care resources, gun safety measures and women’s equality.
More: New Castle County state representative primary results: Speaker of the House upset
Longhurst could not be reached for comment.
According to election results, Smith won with 53.3% of the vote, while Longhurst finished with 46.7%.
Meyer and Ramone clinch nominations
New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer secured the Democratic ticket for Delaware governor during Tuesday’s primary election, capturing about 47% of all votes cast to Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long’s 36.6% and former state environmental secretary Collin O’Mara’s 16.4%.
Meyer’s win is an upset to Delaware’s political establishment – one that hasn’t been seen since the 2008 Democratic Primary between then-Lt. Gov. John Carney and former state Treasurer Jack Markell. Markell put up a fight, funneling millions of dollars into his campaign, ultimately beating Carney in the primary election by 1,737 votes.
Like Markell, Meyer was not a party favorite.
House Minority Leader Mike Ramone, who has represented the Pike Creek area since 2008, handily won the Republican nomination for governor, garnering 72.3% of all votes cast in Delaware’s Republican Primary election.
Ramone beat Republican challengers Jerrold Price, who captured 16.3% of Republican votes, and Bobby Williamson, who garnered 11.4% of GOP votes.
Meyer and Ramone will now face off in the general election Nov. 5.
An in-depth look: Matt Meyer clinches Democratic primary for governor, will face Mike Ramone in November
Republican challenger wants recount in close Eastern Sussex race
While incumbent Republican state House Rep. Bryan Shupe has a narrow lead in the race for the 36th District seat, challenger Patrick Smith said Tuesday night he will request a recount.
Shupe was ahead of Smith by 11 votes in the Republican Primary for the southern Delaware seat, covering Milford, Lincoln, Ellendale, Cedar Neck, Broadkill Beach, Slaughter Beach, and parts of Milton.
Shupe was first elected to the House seat in 2018 after serving as a Milford councilmember and the city’s mayor.
The winner will face Democrat Rony Baltazar-Lopez in the general election.
Carney projected winner in mayoral race
Delaware Gov. John Carney snagged the Democratic nomination for Wilmington mayor beating former city Treasurer Velda Jones-Potter by 743 votes, according to Delaware’s unofficial primary election results.
Carney is seen by some in the Wilmington community, including challenger Jones-Potter, as a continuation of Mayor Mike Purzycki’s administration.
Jones-Potter told Spotlight Delaware in an interview earlier this year that a Carney administration would carry the “same vision” that Purzycki touted four years ago, alluding to both politicians being friendly with the biggest developers in the state.
In an interview with Delaware Online/The News Journal on Aug. 23, Carney dismissed that comparison, saying Purzycki “comes from more of a business background. I’m kind of a career public servant.”
“Mike Purzycki and I are very different,” Carney said. “And with respect to where the focus has to be – frankly, you have to do it all. Because if you don’t, you’re going to be in trouble.”
With no Republican or Independent party challenger in the November general election, Carney’s success Tuesday makes him the projected winner of Wilmington’s mayoral race.
Henry defeats Hartley-Nagle
In the bid for the Democratic nomination for New Castle County Executive, Marcus Henry won a majority of the vote over fellow Democratic candidate and former New Castle County Council President Karen Hartley-Nagle.
Since announcing his candidacy, Henry built his platform on housing affordability, job creation and business development and strengthen public safety.
Henry told Delaware Online he was “overwhelmed with gratitude” to both his campaign team and supporters.
“It’s this historical moment for New Castle County and the state of Delaware,” Henry said. “I’m so honored to be the first African American County Executive, but more importantly, I’m taking this office to help everyone, whether you voted for me or not. I want to do right by the people in New Castle County. I really appreciate and cherish this opportunity.”
In turn, Hartley-Nagle’s campaign advocated for advancing public safety efforts, affordable housing and community development and improving the overall quality of life in Delaware.
According to the results, while Hartley-Nagle secured nearly 40% of the vote, Henry won over 60% of the vote.
Willauer besting Fields for 5th District council seat
In a close race for the open 5th District seat in Wilmington’s City Council, challenger Christian Willauer ousted incumbent Bregetta A. Fields.
Willauer previously served as the director of the Wilmington Land Bank, having resigned from the position in July 2018, less than two years after stepping into the role.
According to her campaign website, Willauer prioritized access to affordable housing; reform for fines and fees; and improvements to city streets, sidewalks and public parks.
Fields built her platform on “continuing positive development,” including further community and economic improvement.
Willauer and Fields previously went head to head in the 2020 primary election, with Fields narrowly winning and later defeating Independent candidate Alexander Hackett in the general election.
According to the results, Willauer won by over 51% of the vote, while Fields received nearly 48.5% of the vote.
Citywide change: Wilmington voters shake up city council makeup after primary
Dominguez withdraws; Ortega wins by forfeit
New Castle County’s District 3 state representative primary saw Democratic candidate Josue O. Ortega winning by default, following fellow Democratic candidate Branden Fletcher Dominquez’s decision to withdraw from the race just days prior.
Following an investigation from the Delaware Department of Justice amid concerns regarding the validity of his listed address to the state Department of Elections, Fletcher Dominquez announced that he was dropping out of the race on Sept. 5.
Because no other Democratic candidate ran for this position this year, District 3 was not included in the primary election, leading to Ortega’s win.
Having decade-long experience in both the City of Wilmington and New Castle County, Ortega has built his platform advocating for access to affordable housing, improving the statewide education system and enhancing public safety initiatives, according to his campaign website.
Aside from Ortega, there is no other opponent listed for the general election this November.
Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries [email protected]. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries.
Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. Reach her at [email protected].
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Publish date : 2024-09-11 21:49:00
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