On the evening of September 10 (Tuesday), the results of the Delaware primaries were announced, with both parties selecting their candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, federal congressmen, and state legislators to compete in the November 5 election. The competition in this election was fierce, with some candidates separated by less than ten votes.
The most “expensive” competition was undoubtedly the Democratic primary for the Delaware governorship, where Matt Meyer, the Chief Executive of New Castle County, secured victory with 46.98% of the votes, defeating Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long (36.62%), both of whom invested substantial campaign funds. According to the Associated Press, Meyer spent approximately $2.1 million, with around $1.2 million used for the final three weeks before the Tuesday primary. Hall-Long spent $1.18 million, with $182,000 spent in the same three weeks. The other candidate, Collin O’Mara, Chief Executive of the National Wildlife Federation and former state Secretary of Natural Resources, received only 16.4% of the votes.
Meyer will now compete against Republican and State House Minority Leader Michael Ramone for the governorship. Ramone easily won the Republican primary with 72.29% of the votes. The other two Republican candidates for governor, retired police officer Jerrold Price received 16.34% of the votes, and small business owner Bobby Williamson received 11.37% of the votes.
Delaware State Senator Sarah McBride comfortably won the Democratic primary for Federal Congress with an 79.85% vote share. The other candidates, businessman Earl Coope (16.22%) and Elias Weir (3.93%), were behind McBride.
State retired police officer and construction company owner John Whalen III won the Republican primary for Federal Congress with 55.79% of the votes, while businessman Donyale Hall received 44.21% of the votes.
State Senator Kyle Evans Gay won the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Delaware with 48.2% of the votes, defeating State Representative Sherry Dorsey-Walker (36.81%) and State Democratic Vice Chair Debbie Harrington (14.99%). Gay will compete against Ruth Briggs Kin, a former State Representative, for the Lieutenant Governor position on November 5.
Additionally, the incumbent Governor John Carney won the Democratic primary for the mayor of Wilmington with 53.76% of the votes, defeating his party opponent, former City Finance Director Velda Jones-Potter (46.24%). As no Republicans competed for the mayor of Wilmington, Carney effectively secured the position.
Federal Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester, Republican Eric Hansen, and Independent Michael Katz will compete for the Senatorial seat on November 5.