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The 2024 Wilmington mayoral election was held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, to elect the mayor of Wilmington, Delaware. Following Incumbent mayor Mike Purzycki's decision to not seek re-election, then-Governor John Carney and former Delaware treasurer and Wilmington treasurer Velda Jones-Potter ran for the Democratic nomination. On September 10, 2024, Carney defeated in the primary Jones-Potter by 743 votes. Carney ran unopposed in the general election, with his victory he became the first sitting governor ever to be elected a mayor.
In 2020, following a competitive primary incumbent Democratic Mike Purzycki won the democratic nomination. [1] He was uncontested in the general election winning re-election to a second term. [2]
Purzycki had considered running for another term. However, on October 3, 2023, Purzycki revealed that he would not be seeking a third term citing his age and a desire to spend time with his family. Incumbent Governor of Delaware John Carney, who was unable to seek re-election due to term limits, decided to enter the race. [3] [4] Velda Jones-Potter, former treasure of Wilmington and Delaware as a whole, also decided to enter the race. Jones-Potter had previously challenged Purzycki for the nomination in 2020. [4]
On August 9, Carney and Jones-Potter participated in a public forum debate. Issues included education, quality of life, and job creation. [5]
The primary was held on September 10, 2024. [6] Carney received 5,308 winning over 53 percent of the vote. He defeated Jones-Potter by 743 votes. [7]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | John Carney | 5,308 | 53.76% | |
Democratic | Velda Jones-Potter | 4,565 | 46.24% | |
Total votes | 9,873 | 100.00% |
Due to the Democratic party's dominance over both the state and Wilmington, the Republican Party did not run a candidate. [8] The News Journal 's Anitra Johnson noted that, with the exception of City Council seats, most candidates in Wilmington ran unopposed. [9]
The election was held on November 5, 2024, since no other candidates ran in the general election, Carney won the election unopposed. With his victory he became the first sitting governor to be elected to a mayor seat. [10]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | John Carney | 24,191 | 100.00% | |
Total votes | 24,191 | 100.00% |
On November 27, Carney announced he would be reappointing the incumbent chiefs of the fire and police departments. [12] Carney resigned from his position as Governor on January 7, 2025 to be sworn as mayor. [13] [14] Delaware Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long was sworn in as Governor to finish to final two weeks of Carney's term. [13]