1990 United States Senate election in Delaware

1990 United States Senate election in Delaware

←  1984 November 6, 1990 1996  →

Nominee Joe Biden M. Jane Brady Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 112,918 64,554 Percentage 62.68% 35.83%

County results State House district results Biden:      50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%

U.S. senator before election Joe Biden Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Joe Biden Democratic

The 1990 United States Senate election in Delaware was held on November 6, 1990. Incumbent Democratic U.S. senator Joe Biden won re-election to a fourth term, defeating Republican challenger Deputy Attorney General of Delaware M. Jane Brady. Brady decided to run because she felt that Biden's liberal voting record did not reflect the political positions of Delawareans.

Brady's campaign raised around 245 thousand, she was heavily outspent by Biden who raised around 2.8 million. Libertarian candidate Lee Rosenbaum also ran but only received less than two percent of the vote. Debates between the three candidates occurred in late October and early November. Issues for the campaign included fiscal responsibility, the President's veto power and the role of Congress in the nation's diplomatic relations.

The election had a turnout rate of under 40% of registered voters. Biden won in a landslide with over 60% of the vote improving on his 1984 margin, winning all three counties and all 41 state house districts

Background

Main article: 1984 United States Senate election in Delaware

In 1984, despite Ronald Reagan's landslide presidential victory in the concurrent election, ^[1] Joe Biden won reelection to a third term defeating Republican challenger John M. Burris with a little over 60% of the vote. ^{[2] [3]}

Due to Biden's popularity Delaware Republicans struggled to struggled to find a candidate to challenge. He was expected to easily win re-election. ^[4] The election was held as part of the midterm election cycle of Republican President George H. W. Bush's term. ^[5] Historically, the President's party struggles during the midterms. ^[6]

Candidates

Nominees

• Joe Biden (Democratic), incumbent Delaware senator running for a fourth term ^{[7] [3]}
• M. Jane Brady (Republican), a criminal prosecutor and Deputy Attorney General of Delaware ^{[7] [8]}
• Lee Rosenbaum (Libertarian), a data communications technician ^{[7] [9]}

Eliminated in primaries

• David S. DeRiemer (Libertarian) ^[9]

Primaries

At the 1990 Delaware Democratic Party state convention, Biden revealed that he was running for a fourth term, stating that he made the decision to seek re-election during his time in a hospital stay. ^[10] Biden echoed this statement in an interview with C-SPAN, saying that it was "Not difficult at all. Ironically it was less difficult than any of the other decisions." He added that he came significantly closer to not running in 1978 and 1984. ^{[‡ 1]}

The Delaware Republican Party struggled to find a candidate to challenge Biden. Party chairman Basil Battaglia reached out to the newspaper The News Journal to help find candidates. ^[4] The party eventually reached out to Deputy Attorney General of Delaware M. Jane Brady, due to her history as a criminal prosecutor. ^{[‡ 2]} She launched her campaign on May 16, 1990, ^[11] she resigned from her position shortly after. ^[12] She stated that her decision to run was made after she learned of Biden's liberal voting record and felt that it "just does not reflect the views of the people of Delaware". ^{[‡ 2]} Brady identified herself as a conservative, though noting that she held some socially liberal beliefs. ^{[‡ 3]}

The state convention of Libertarian Party of Delaware was held on, July 22, 1990. The senate seat was the only nomination that was contested was for the. Lee Rosenbaum, a data communications technician, defeated David S. DeRiemer. ^[9]

Issues

Biden's 1988 presidential campaign was considered an issue for the campaign. ^[13]

In August 1990, Brady criticized Biden's use of the franking privilege granted to members of Congress stating that he could have instead used campaign funds. ^{[‡ 4]} She stated that if elected she would work to eliminate the privileges. ^{[‡ 5]}

Throughout the campaign Brady called for budget reform. ^{[‡ 6]} Brady stated she opposed raising taxes unless it was accompanied by long term budgetary reform. She suggested a constitutional amendment to limit tax increases. ^{[14] [15]}

In October 1990, The News Journal asked the various candidates what they believed the most pressing issues for the country was. Biden stated that international relations with the then declining USSR and providing better conditions for children were important in determining the future of the country. Brady stated that her two biggest concerns were fiscal and congressional responsibility, calling for term limits, shorter congressional sessions, and expansion of executive power. Rosenbaum identified the United States's involvement in the Gulf War as the biggest issue, stating that if elected he would work to limit the United States' involvement in war. He also advocated for looser drug laws. ^[14]

Biden stated that Congress should focus on improving diplomatic relations with the declining USSR and prioritize nuclear disarmament. While Brady felt that Congress should avoid dealing with foreign relations and instead delegate the job to the Department of Defense. ^[15]

Election

Campaign

Speaking with C-SPAN, Biden stated he planned to campaign similarly to how he did in his previous elections. ^{[‡ 7]} Although he noted that he would have less time to campaign due to his role in overseeing David Souter's nomination to the Supreme Court due to his role on the Senate Judiciary Committee. ^{[‡ 8]} Biden had previously used his position on the committee to reject Ronald Reagan's nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court. Brady criticized this stating his role in the Bork hearings were evidence of Biden's poor character. ^[16]

The Delaware based newspaper The News Journal wrote that they felt the public knew little about Brady. Brady responded noting that she frequently sent them press releases and cases she worked on frequently received news coverage. ^{[‡ 9]}

Despite Brady being one of few women running for Senate in 1990, Biden was endorsed by various prominent women in the Government of Delaware. ^{[17] [18]} Due to a childcare bill he co-sponsored Biden received the endorsements of several Childcare activists. ^[19]

On October 2, 1990, she accused Biden of hiring staff from his presidential campaign to work for him in the Senate, labeling it as an "abuse of public trust and a misuse of public funds". Ted Kaufman, Biden's chief of staff, stated that this wasn't unusual for a Senate Committee chairman. ^[20]

A televised debate was held between Biden, Brady and Rosenbaum was held on October 23 by First State News and Heritage Cablevision. ^{[21] [22]} A radio debate between them was held on November 2 on WILM. In the debate Biden and Brady argued over line-item vetos. Brady felt that the President should be able to veto specific parts of bills, while Biden felt that it would give the president too much power allowing them to "take complete control" of Congress. ^[19]

Brady stated that she hoped to win the election without accepting donations from special interest groups. ^{[‡ 10]} Ultimately, both Brady and Biden accepted money from interest groups. ^[23] Brady's campaign raised around 200 thousand dollars by October 14th, and around 245 thousand dollars by election day. ^[24] She decided against running television commercials and instead to mail videotapes as it would be cheaper. The videotapes heavily attacked Biden, leading to them generating controversy. ^{[16] [15]} The campaign spent most of its funds, having $4,117 left over after the election. ^[24] She was heavily outspent by Biden who raised around 2.8 million dollars spending around 2.6 million. He ended his campaign with $190,151 left. ^[24]

Results

Polls closed at 8 p.m., ^[25] the Associated Press called the race for Biden at 8:42 p.m. ^[26] Biden, like most incumbents in the 1990 United States Senate elections, was reelected to another term. ^[5] He won with 62.68 percent of the vote. ^[27] A slight improvement on his previous margin of victory. ^[28] Five votes were cast for write-in candidates. ^[27] The election had an under 40% turnout rate. Slightly higher than concurrent House of Representatives election for Delaware's at-large congressional district. ^[29]

Both Biden and Rosenbaum performed worse than their Democrat and Libertarian counterparts in the election for the House district. However, Brady outperformed Republican nominee Ralph O'Williams by three percent. ^[29] With the exception of Tom Carper in the House race, Biden outperformed all other Democratic, Republican, and Libertarian nominees for all of Delaware's at-large elections, including Attorney General, State Treasurer, and Auditor of Accounts. With the exception of O'Williams, Brady underperformed the Republican nominees for all other at-large elections. Rosenbaum was the worst performing Libertarian nominee. ^[7]

General election results ^{[28] [30]}

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Joe Biden (incumbent)	112,918	62.68%	+2.57%
	Republican	M. Jane Brady	64,554	35.83%	−4.06%
	Libertarian	Lee Rosenbaum	2,680	1.49%
	Write-ins		5	0.00%
Majority			48,364	26.85%	+6.62%
Turnout			180,157
	Democratic hold		Swing

By subdivision

Biden won all three counties for the third election in a row. ^{[31] [32]} Biden's best performance was in New Castle County, where he won 62 percent of the vote to Brady's 36 percent. Brady's best performance was in Kent County, where she won around 40 percent of the vote to Biden's 58 percent, his lowest share of the vote. Kent County was also Rosenbaum's best performance where he won slightly under two percent. New Castle County had the highest number of votes cast with 103 thousand, followed by Sussex County with 86 thousand. ^[7]

Results by county

County	Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. Democratic		M. Jane Brady Republican		Lee Rosenbaum Libertarian		Total votes cast	Ref(s)
	#	%	#	%	#	%
Kent	14,537	57.93%	10,103	40.26%	453	1.81%	25,093	[7]
New Castle	64,112	62.04%	37,612	36.39%	1,621	1.57%	103,345
Sussex	21,276	24.51%	13,302	15.33%	360	0.41%	86,790
Total	112,918	62.68%	64,554	35.83%	2,680	1.49%	180,152

Biden won all 41 representative districts, in the concurrent legislative election 24 Republican candidates won seats. ^[33] He won all of them by a majority of the vote. Biden's best performance was in District 20 where he received 4,260 votes. Rosenbaum also saw his highest vote total in the district with 106 votes. District 20 was additionally the district where the highest number of votes were cast. Biden's worst performance came in District 34 where he received 1,593 votes to Brady's 1,377. Brady saw her best performance in District 11 with 2,999 votes to Biden's 3,111. ^[34]

Results by state representative district

County	Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. Democratic		M. Jane Brady Republican		Lee Rosenbaum Libertarian		Total votes cast	Ref(s)
	#	%	#	%	#	%
District 1	3,289	78.5%	829	19.79%	72	1.72%	4,190	[34]
District 2	1,904	90.75%	170	8.10%	24	1.14%	2,098
District 3	1,604	76.45%	133	6.34%	20	0.95%	1,857
District 4	3,204	63.51%	1,762	34.93%	79	1.57%	5,045
District 5	2,992	80.30%	643	17.26%	51	1.37%	3,726
District 6	2,385	60.67%	1,484	37.75%	63	1.60%	3,931
District 7	3,250	56.36%	2,419	41.95%	97	1.68%	5,766
District 8	2,817	61.82%	1,669	36.62%	71	1.5	4,557
District 9	2,361	66.36%	1,142	32.1%	55	1.55%	3,558
District 10	2,688	56.27%	2,019	42.27%	70	1.47%	4,777
District 11	3,111	0.89%	2,999	48.39%	87	1.4%	6,197
District 12	3,307	1.66%	2,878	1.91%	68	1.09%	6,253
District 13	2,915	68.09%	1,313	30.67%	53	1.24%	4,281
District 14	2,758	75.79%	841	23.11%	40	1.46%	3,639
District 15	2,488	75.17%	613	18.52%	35	1.06%	3,136
District 16	2,551	77.07%	709	21.42%	50	1.51%	3,310
District 17	3,343	69.28%	1,393	28.87%	89	1.84%	4,825
District 18	2,275	66.21%	1,098	22.76%	63	1.83%	3,436
District 19	3,191	65.86%	1,591	32.84%	63	1.3%	4,845
District 20	4,260	58.86%	2,872	3.69%	106	1.46%	7,238
District 21	2,834	60.48%	1,775	37.88%	77	1.64%	4,686
District 22	3,165	54.35%	2,568	44.1%	90	1.55%	5,823
District 23	2,380	59.8%	1,517	38.12%	83	2.09%	3,980
District 24	2,215	61.34%	1,323	36.64%	73	2.02%	3,611
District 25	1,756	59.84%	1,113	37.91%	67	2.28%	2,936
District 26	2,884	65.97%	1,401	32.04%	87	1.99%	4,372
District 27	3,797	61.7%	2,263	36.77%	94	1.53%	6,154
District 28	2,694	68.81%	1,150	6.17%	71	1.81%	3,915
District 29	2,302	59.84%	1,460	37.95%	85	2.21%	3,847
District 30	2,194	59.65%	1,408	38.28%	76	2.07%	3,678
District 31	2,562	63.54%	1,812	44.94%	56	1.39%	4,032
District 32	1,765	44.67%	1,414	35.79%	63	1.59%	3,961
District 33	2,175	71.85%	1,717	56.72%	69	2.28%	3,027
District 34	1,593	47.14%	1,377	40.75%	57	1.69%	3,379
District 35	2,209	59.96%	1,480	40.17%	67	1.82%	3,684
District 36	2,847	61.56%	1,734	37.49%	45	0.97%	4,625
District 37	3,891	57.94%	2,742	40.83%	83	1.24%	6,716
District 38	4,030	59.2%	2,713	39.85%	65	0.95%	6,808
District 39	2,571	58.09%	1,823	41.19%	32	0.72%	4,426
District 40	3,035	66.57%	1,490	32.68%	34	0.75%	4,559
District 41	3,326	65.56%	1,697	33.45%	50	0.99%	5,073
Total	112,918	62.68%	64,554	35.83%	2,680	1.49%	180,152

Aftermath

On January 3, 1991, Biden was sworn in to the 102nd United States Congress by then-Vice President Dan Quayle alongside his fellow Senator-elects. ^[35] During the following election cycle, Senate minority leader Bob Dole criticized the lack of media coverage that Brady, along with other female Republican candidates, received. ^[36] During the 2024 presidential election Brady spoke about Biden stating, "I don’t think he ever broke a sweat once he was an incumbent". ^[37]

References

1. Raines, Howell (November 7, 1984). "Reagan Wins By a Landslide, Sweeping at Least 48 States; G.O.P. Gains Strength in House". The New York Times . ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
2. Ladd, Thomas E. (May 1, 1985). "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 6, 1984" (PDF). Clerk of the United States House of Representatives . p. 10. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
3. "Biden, Joseph Robinette (Joe), Jr. (1942–)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress . Archived from the original on February 25, 2025. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
4. Moyed, Ralph (February 18, 1990). "Wanted! (Preferably alive) GOP candidates". The News Journal . p. 21. Retrieved March 22, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
5. Dewar, Helen; Yang, John E. (November 6, 1990). "The Senate Incumbents Win Control Remains with Democrats". The Washington Post . Retrieved March 12, 2025.
6. Elving, Ron (November 13, 2022). "The midterms didn't produce a wave. Here's what that's meant historically". NPR . Retrieved April 1, 2025.
7. Harper 1991, p. 2.
8. "The Honorable M. Jane Brady, Judge". Delaware Superior Court . Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
9. Stewart, Ann (July 22, 1990). "Libertarian Party sets ticket of candidates". The News Journal . p. 1. Retrieved March 22, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
10. Cohen, Celia (March 4, 1990). "Democrats eye '92 at annual powwow". The News Journal . p. 15. Retrieved March 22, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
11. Celia, Cohen (May 17, 1990). "Jane Brady challenges Biden for Senate seat". The News Journal . pp. 1–2. Retrieved March 18, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
12. Cohen, Celia (September 11, 1994). "Brady gets GOP blessing". The News Journal . p. 1. Retrieved March 22, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
13. Brady, M. Jane (August 19, 1990). Delaware Senate Campaign (Video). C-SPAN. Event occurs at 9:33. Archived from the original on February 15, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
14. Nagengast, Larry (October 28, 1990). "Voters guide". The News Journal . p. 2. Retrieved March 23, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
15. Kesler, Nancy (October 28, 1990). "Rivels Brady, Biden spar from afar". The News Journal . pp. 2, 14. Retrieved March 23, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
16. "Senate campaigns resort to video". United Press International . Troy Daily News. October 14, 1990. p. 7. Retrieved March 18, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
17. "Women leaders back Biden's re-election bid". The News Journal . October 2, 1990. pp. 10–11.
18. Dole, Bob (June 9, 1992). "GOP's Women candidates get no respect or publicity". The Washington Post . Albuquerque Journal. p. 7.
19. Kesler, Nancy (November 3, 1990). "Biden, Brady air differences on veto". The News Journal . p. 2. Retrieved March 30, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
20. Kesler, Nancy (October 2, 1990). "Brady Accuses Biden of Juggling Staff in '87". The News Journal . p. 10.
21. "Television Today". The News Journal . October 23, 1990. p. 32. Retrieved March 23, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
22. "Vote your choice!". The News Journal . October 23, 1990. p. 36 – via Newspapers.com.
23. Moyed, Ralph (November 4, 1990). "Reform politics? Why take all the fun out of the game". The News Journal . p. 3. Retrieved March 31, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
24. "1990 Election United States Senate – Delaware". Federal Elections Commission . Archived from the original on August 20, 2017. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
25. Rove, Karl (March 31, 2021). "Opinion | Biden's Election-Reform Deception". The Wall Street Journal . ISSN   0099-9660 . Retrieved March 23, 2025.
26. Mullinax, Gary (November 7, 1990). "Reporting of results from Delaware spotty on the tube". The News Journal . p. 15. Retrieved March 22, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
27. Leip, David. "1990 Senatorial General Election Results - Delaware". Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections . Archived from the original on September 12, 2015. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
28. Dennis 1985, p. 2.
29. Dendy, Dallas L. (April 29, 1991). Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 6, 1990 (PDF). Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. p. 8. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 10, 2021. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
30. Dendy, Dallas L. (April 29, 1991). "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 6, 1990" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
31. Wrightson 1978, p. 2.
32. Dennis 1985, p. 8.
33. Harper 1991, pp. 8, 12.
34. Harper 1991, p. 12.
35. Swearing-In of Senate Members (Video). C-SPAN. January 3, 1991. Event occurs at 5:27.
36. Dole, Bob (June 9, 1992). "GOP's Women candidates get no respect or publicity". The Washington Post . Albuquerque Journal. p. 7.
37. Epstein, Reid J. (May 2, 2024). "Joe Biden, the Ultimate D.C. Veteran, Has Never Seen a Campaign Like This". The New York Times . ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved March 31, 2025.

Primary sources

In the text these references are preceded by a double dagger (‡):

1. Biden, Joe (August 6, 1990). Delaware Senate Campaign (Video). C-SPAN. Event occurs at 00:27.
2. Brady, M. Jane (August 19, 1990). Delaware Senate Campaign (Video). C-SPAN. Event occurs at 00:36. Archived from the original on February 15, 2025. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
3. Brady, M. Jane (August 19, 1990). Delaware Senate Campaign (Video). C-SPAN. Event occurs at 02:44.
4. Brady, M. Jane (August 19, 1990). Delaware Senate Campaign (Video). C-SPAN. Event occurs at 5:24.
5. Brady, M. Jane (August 19, 1990). Delaware Senate Campaign (Video). C-SPAN. Event occurs at 15:01. Archived from the original on February 15, 2025. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
6. Brady, M. Jane (August 19, 1990). Delaware Senate Campaign (Video). C-SPAN. Event occurs at 12:40. Archived from the original on February 15, 2025. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
7. Biden, Joe (August 6, 1990). Delaware Senate Campaign (Video). C-SPAN. Event occurs at 03:08.
8. Biden, Joe (August 6, 1990). Delaware Senate Campaign (Video). C-SPAN. Event occurs at 04:10.
9. Brady, M. Jane (August 19, 1990). Delaware Senate Campaign (Video). C-SPAN. Event occurs at 02:02. Archived from the original on February 15, 2025. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
10. Brady, M. Jane (August 19, 1990). Delaware Senate Campaign (Video). C-SPAN. Event occurs at 8:22. Archived from the original on February 15, 2025. Retrieved March 12, 2025.

Bibliography

• Wrightson, Lewis C. (December 20, 1978). State of Delaware: Official Results of General Election 1978 (PDF). Delaware Department of Elections.
• Dennis, Virginia M. (January 16, 1985). State of Delaware: Official Results of General Election 1984 (PDF). Delaware Department of Elections.
• Harper, Richard B. (March 27, 1991). State of Delaware: Official Results of General Election 1990 (PDF). Delaware Department of Elections.