The Results Are In

By Tyler Micik

Delaware’s general election results are in! Matt Meyer (D) won the Governor’s race, beating Mike Ramone (R). Kyle Evans Gay (D) secured the Lt. Governor’s seat, defeating Ruth Briggs King (R). In the federal races Lisa Blunt Rochester (D) will succeed Tom Carper as Delaware's next U.S. Senator and Sarah McBride (D) will serve as our next lone representative in the U.S. House of Representatives.
 
There were several key seats in the Delaware General Assembly up for grabs. The results of those races are:

• SD6: Sen. Russ Huxtable (D) defeated Kim Hoey Stevenson (R)
• HD9: Rep. Kevin Hensley (R) defeated Terrell Williams (D)
• HD13: Rep. DeShanna Neal (D) defeated Danny Rappa (R)
• HD20: Rep. Stell Parker Selby (D) defeated Nikki Miller (R)
• HD22: Rep. Mike Smith (R) defeated Monica Beard (D)
• HD36: Rep. Bryan Shupe (R) defeated Rony Baltazar-Lopez (D)

 
The results in districts with open seats are:

• RD10 (Matthew’s seat): Melanie Ross Levine (D) defeated Brent Burdge (R)
• RD14 (Schwartzkopf's seat): Claire Snyder-Hall (D) defeated Mike Simpler (R)
• RD21 (Ramone’s seat): Frank Burns (D) defeated Brenda Mennella (R) – This seat was formerly Republican and is a pickup for House Democrats

 
So, what do these results mean? The Delaware State Senate will largely look the same next year aside from the departure of Senators McBride and Gay. A special election will have to be held to fill their seats. If those two districts elect a Democrat, the balance of power in the Senate will remain 15 to 6 in favor of the Democrats. In the House, all the incumbents won their races, but the Democrats picked up one seat with Frank Burns’ win over Brenda Mennella in the 21st district, bringing their total to 27 and thereby increasing their decision-making power. 
 
In the weeks leading up to the 153rd General Assembly convening on January 14, House leadership positions will be announced and committee assignments will take place—giving us a better understanding of what’s in store for next year. Similarly, we’ll know who Matt Meyer appoints to serve on his cabinet. These decisions, like the elections, will influence the future of our state. We will keep you updated as things move forward, and we look forward to working with all those elected to advocate for Delaware’s business community.   

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