Republican State Committee of Delaware

Last updated
Republican State Committee of Delaware
Chairwoman Julianne Murray
Senate Leader Gerald Hocker
House Leader Mike Ramone
Headquarters501 Hawley St
Wilmington, Delaware 19805
Membership (2021)Increase2.svg210,180 [1]
Ideology Majority:
Conservatism
Factions:
Trumpism
Political position Right-wing
National affiliation Republican Party
Colors  Red
Delaware Senate
6 / 21
Delaware House of Representatives
15 / 41
Statewide Executive Offices
0 / 6
United States Senate
0 / 2
United States House of Representatives
0 / 1
County Councils
8 / 24
Election symbol
Republican Party Disc (alternate).svg
Website
delawaregop.com

The Republican State Committee of Delaware is the affiliate of the United States Republican Party in Delaware. It has five regional offices in Kent County, Western New Castle County, Central New Castle County, Northern New Castle County, and Sussex County. [2]

Contents

History of the party

Old logo Delaware GOP logo.png
Old logo

Beginning

The Republican State Committee of Delaware got its start in the mid-19th century, when the American Party (a group dedicated to prohibition of alcohol), People's Party, and former Whigs reformed under the Union Party. This party was dedicated to preserve the Union in the time of Abraham Lincoln's election. While Delaware did not secede from the Union, Delaware Democrats and other supporters often opposed Lincoln's policies. [3] The Republican Party struggled to gain control in the state from 1865 to 1898, with the Democratic Party maintaining control of both the federal and state level of government. However, changes in industry and the arrival of immigrants in key locations would soon spell the rise of the Republican Party in Delaware.

The RSC's first rise to prominence

With industry and business slowly overtaking agriculture in the state, the Republican Party in Delaware began to develop the support it needed to overthrow the long incumbent Democratic Party. However, the rise of the party was not complete without some controversial actions. As it was common in the era, the late 1800s was rife with voter corruption and illegal election techniques. One candidate, John Addicks, was infamous for attempting to buy a U.S. Senate seat by exploiting the rising party. Republicans in the state divided on the issue with Regular Republicans opposing Addicks while Union Republicans supported him. [3] Although Addicks didn't win election in 1899 or 1901, his corrupt tactics led to a vacation of the U.S. Senate seat for over ten years. [3] However, Addick's corruption proved to be only a small speed bump. With industry as a growing part of the Delaware economy, the Republican Party began to grow in popularity. With men such as Henry du Pont and T. Colemon du Pont (Both members of the famous industrial du Pont family) leading the way, the Republican Party quickly gained power in the state and various government positions.

Thomas du Pont: U.S. Senator and key figure to the rise of the Delaware Republican Party Thomas du Pont.jpg
Thomas du Pont: U.S. Senator and key figure to the rise of the Delaware Republican Party

By 1915, Republicans controlled the Delaware Senate by a margin of 12 to 5 and the House by 23 to 10. [3] Governors of the state remained Republican candidates from 1897 up until 1936. With the exception of ratifying the 19th Amendment on a state level (once the U.S. Constitution accepted it, then Delaware did as well), the Republican majority in both the federal and state level dominated legislation until the mid-1930s.

Trading time with the Democrats

Since World War II, the Republican Party of Delaware has had its time of prominence and powerlessness. Two Republicans, John J. Williams and J. Caleb Boggs, compromised two-thirds of the "Big Three" in Delaware politics. [3] Williams would end up serving in the U.S. Senate from 1946 to 1971 while Boggs won seven statewide elections consisting of governor, U.S. House of Representatives, and U.S. Senate from 1947 to 1973.

John J. Williams: U.S. Senator from Delaware (1947-1970) JohnJWilliams.jpg
John J. Williams: U.S. Senator from Delaware (1947–1970)

From 1949 to 2008, the Republican Party has held the governorship for 29 years compared to the 30 years held by Democrats. [3] Despite dominating the gubernatorial position from 1977 to 1993, all gubernatorial elections have been won by Democrats since 1993.

J. Caleb Boggs: Republican Governor, U.S. Senator, and U.S. Representative from Delaware BoggsCaleb.jpg
J. Caleb Boggs: Republican Governor, U.S. Senator, and U.S. Representative from Delaware

Party leadership

Current elected officials

Members of Congress

U.S. Senate

  • None

Both of Delaware's U.S. Senate seats have been held by Democrats since 2000. William Roth was the last Republican to represent Delaware in the U.S. Senate. First elected in 1970, Roth lost his bid for a sixth term in 2000 to Tom Carper who has held the seat since.

U.S. House of Representatives

  • None

Delaware's lone congressional district has been held by Democrats since 2010. The last Republican to represent Delaware in the House of Representatives was Mike Castle. First elected in 1992, Castle opted not to run for re-election in 2010, instead unsuccessfully running for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. Glen Urquhart ran as the Republican nominee for the House seat in the 2010 election and was subsequently defeated by Democratic challenger John Carney.

Statewide offices

Delaware has not elected any GOP candidates to statewide office since 2014, when Tom Wagner was re-elected as state auditor and Ken Simpler was elected as state treasurer. In 2018, Wagner opted not to seek re-election to an eight term. In 2018 elections James Spadola ran as the Republican nominee for auditor and was subsequently defeated by Democratic challenger Kathy McGuiness while Simpler was defeated in his bid for a second term as treasurer by Democratic challenger Colleen Davis.

State legislative leaders

State Assembly

State senators

In 2017, Republicans controlled ten State Senate seats. [4] State Senators must be citizens of the United States and have resided in Delaware for three years. Candidates must also have been a resident of their respective district for at least one year preceding their election. The age requirement to run for this elected seat is 27 years old. In 2016 young millennial and civil attorney, Anthony Delcollo defeated long time 26-year incumbent, President Pro-Tempore Patrica Blevins (D) by 206 votes and thinning the partisan margin in the Senate.

In 2018, Minority Whip Senator Greg Lavelle (R) lost his reelection bid to Senator Laura V. Sturgeon by a margin of 53% to 47%, widening the gap between Democrats and Republicans by an additional seat. Presently, Republicans have 9 seats in the Delaware State Senate to the Democrats' 12 seats.

Senator F. Gary Simpson, the Senate GOP's minority leader, retired before the 2018 elections. His seat was filled by Senator David Wilson.

State representatives

As of 2019, Republicans controlled 15 of the 41 State Assembly seats. [5] Any candidate running for the House of Representatives must have lived in Delaware for three years and be a U.S. Citizen. The candidate must also live in the district at least one year prior to running for office and be at least 24 years of age.

List of Chairs

Notable Delaware Republicans

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pete du Pont</span> American politician (1935–2021)

Pierre Samuel "Pete" du Pont IV was an American attorney, businessman, and politician who served as the 68th governor of Delaware from 1977 to 1985. A member of the Republican Party, he was the United States representative for Delaware's at-large congressional district from 1971 to 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Carper</span> American politician (born 1947)

Thomas Richard Carper is an American politician and former military officer serving as the senior United States senator from Delaware, having held the seat since 2001. A member of the Democratic Party, Carper served in the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 1993 and was the 71st governor of Delaware from 1993 to 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Castle</span> American politician (born 1939)

Michael Newbold Castle is an American lawyer and politician who served as the 69th Governor of Delaware from 1985 to 1992 and as the U.S. representative from Delaware's at-large congressional district from 1993 to 2011. He is a member of the Republican Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1972 United States Senate elections</span>

The 1972 United States Senate elections were held on November 7, with the 33 seats of Class 2 contested in regular elections. They coincided with the landslide re-election of Republican President Richard Nixon. Despite Nixon's landslide victory, Democrats increased their majority by two seats. The Democrats picked up open seats in Kentucky and South Dakota, and defeated four incumbent senators: Gordon Allott of Colorado, J. Caleb Boggs of Delaware, Jack Miller of Iowa, and Margaret Chase Smith of Maine. The Republicans picked up open seats in New Mexico, North Carolina, and Oklahoma, and defeated one incumbent, William B. Spong Jr. of Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">L. Heisler Ball</span> American politician (1861–1933)

Lewis Heisler Ball was an American physician and politician from Mill Creek Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Republican Party and served as U.S. Representative from Delaware and two terms as U.S. Senator from Delaware. He was known by his middle name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. Frank Allee</span> American politician

James Frank Allee was an American merchant and politician from Dover, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Republican Party who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as U.S. Senator from Delaware. He was known by his middle name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William T. Watson</span> American politician

William Tharp Watson was an American banker and politician from Milford, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware.

The Delaware Democratic Party (DelDems) is the affiliate of the Democratic Party in the U.S. state of Delaware. It is headquartered in New Castle County and chaired by Erik Raser-Schramm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1972 United States Senate election in Delaware</span>

The 1972 United States Senate election in Delaware was held November 7, 1972. Incumbent Republican Senator J. Caleb Boggs ran for a third term in the United States Senate. Boggs faced off against Democrat Joe Biden, a New Castle County Councilman. Though Boggs was expected to easily win a third term, Biden narrowly defeated the incumbent on election day, even while fellow Democrat George McGovern lost Delaware by 20.4% in the concurrent presidential election. Biden's victory margin of 3,162 votes made this the closest U.S. Senate election of the year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2000 United States Senate election in Delaware</span>

The 2000 United States Senate election in Delaware was held on November 7, 2000, in conjunction with the 2000 U.S. presidential election, other elections to the United States Senate in other states, as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives, and various state and local elections. Incumbent Republican U.S. senator William Roth ran for re-election to a sixth term, but he was defeated by outgoing Democratic governor Tom Carper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. Edward Addicks</span> American political candidate

John Edward Charles O'Sullivan Addicks was an American industrialist and capitalist who used his wealth from financing and building gas works to wage four unsuccessful campaigns for a United States Senate seat in Delaware. His struggle with Henry A. du Pont for control of the state government led to Delaware having both of its Senate seats vacant for a time and was one of the factors that led to election reform and the Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1913.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Delaware elections</span>

Elections were held in Delaware on Tuesday, November 2, 2010. Primary elections were held on September 14, 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Michigan Senate election</span>

Elections for the Michigan Senate was held on Tuesday, November 4, 2014, with partisan primary elections to select the party's nominees held on August 5. All 38 seats in the Michigan Senate were contested, and those elected will serve in the 98th and 99th Michigan Legislatures. This was the first election for the Michigan Senate contested under the constituency boundaries drawn in consequence of the 2010 U.S. Census. The election resulted in the Republicans expanding their majority to 27 seats over the Democrats 11 seats.

A general election was held in the U.S. state of Minnesota on November 4, 2014. All of Minnesota's executive officers were up for election as well as all the seats in the Minnesota House of Representatives, several state judicial seats, a United States Senate seat, all of Minnesota's eight seats in the United States House of Representatives, and several seats for local offices. A primary election was held on August 12, 2014, to nominate major political party candidates for partisan offices and candidates for nonpartisan offices.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Delaware gubernatorial election</span>

The 2016 Delaware gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2016, to elect the governor of Delaware, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 United States Senate election in Delaware</span>

The 2018 United States Senate election in Delaware took place on November 6, 2018, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Delaware, concurrently with other elections to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives, and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States Senate election in Delaware</span>

The 2020 United States Senate election in Delaware was held on November 3, 2020, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Delaware, concurrently with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives, and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 United States House of Representatives election in Delaware</span>

The 2018 United States House of Representatives election in Delaware was held on November 6, 2018, to elect the U.S. representative from Delaware's at-large congressional district, who will represent the state of Delaware in the 116th United States Congress. The election coincided with the election of a U.S. Senator from Delaware and other federal and state offices. Democratic Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester, the incumbent, won re-election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Delaware's 10th state senate district special election</span>

On February 25, 2017, voters in the 10th district of the Delaware Senate voted in a special election to fill the seat left vacant by Democrat Bethany Hall-Long, the previous incumbent, who had resigned at the beginning of the year after having been elected lieutenant governor the preceding November. Democrat Stephanie Hansen, an environmental lawyer from Middletown who had in the past served a term as New Castle County Council President, won with 58.1 percent of the vote, defeating Republican opponent John Marino, who finished with 40.8 percent. Libertarian John Lanzendorfer, the only other candidate in the race, claimed the other 1.1 percent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Delaware gubernatorial election</span>

The 2024 Delaware gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 2024, to elect the governor of the U.S. state of Delaware, concurrently with the 2024 U.S. presidential election, as well as elections to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives, and various state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic governor John Carney is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third term in office. Primary elections took place on September 10, 2024, in which Democratic New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer and Republican state representative Mike Ramone won their parties' nominations.

References

  1. ↑ Winger, Richard. "March 2021 Ballot Access News Print Edition". Ballot Access News. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Delaware GOP - Regional Headquarters". www.delawaregop.com. Archived from the original on 2013-05-14.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Boyer, William and Edward C. Ratledge. Delaware Politics and Government. Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. 2009.
  4. ↑ "Delaware State Senate Home". Archived from the original on November 12, 2015. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Delaware House of Representatives". Archived from the original on December 22, 2011. Retrieved November 15, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Obituary for Ebe H. Chandler". The Daily Times. 1946-04-20. p. 7. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  7. ↑ "CLAIR JOHN KILLORAN". The New York Times. 1975-10-31. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  8. ↑ "Ellwood Leach obituary". The Morning News. 1975-05-27. p. 9. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  9. ↑ Bittle, Matt (2019-03-27). "Delaware GOP chairman not seeking 2nd term as party chief". Bay to Bay News. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
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