Delaware Elections Showcase Democratic Primary for Governor

In Dover, Delaware, the Democratic primary elections are underway, with the gubernatorial contest drawing significant attention. Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long, backed by Democrat John Carney and the party establishment, is aiming to secure victory over campaign finance scandal and clinch the governorship. She faces stiff competition from New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer and former state environmental secretary Collin O’Mara in the primary race.

Meyer has outpaced Hall-Long in fundraising, with a campaign balance seven times higher than hers. He has raised approximately $1 million this year, while Hall-Long reported raising about $582,000, with both candidates intensifying their efforts leading up to the primary. On the Republican side, House Minority Leader Michael Ramone is seen as the favored candidate in the three-way GOP primary for governor.

Meanwhile, with Carney unable to seek a third term as governor, he is vying for the Democratic nomination for mayor of Wilmington against former city treasurer Velda Jones-Potter. More than 24,000 Delawareans, primarily Democrats, have already cast their votes in the primary through absentee ballots or in-person early voting, indicating high early voter turnout.

In other key races, three-way Democratic primaries are taking place to fill the lieutenant governor position and Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester’s seat in the U.S. House as she runs for the Senate. Additionally, former state auditor Kathleen McGuiness is involved in a Democratic primary for a state House seat. Despite a past conviction on misdemeanor charges, McGuiness remains eligible for public office.

In a separate development, Attorney General Kathleen Jennings, also a Democrat, declined to prosecute Hall-Long for campaign finance violations. These violations, including unreported expenditures and questionable payments to Hall-Long and her husband, led to a forensic audit. Hall-Long has contested the findings, attributing the discrepancies to bookkeeping errors.