But viewpoints vary about whether voter attitudes and anti-incumbency sentiments will result in big changes in state government.
Republicans will try to regain control of the Delaware House of Representatives, where they are outnumbered by Democrats 24-17. The GOP also will try to retain R. Thomas Wagner Jr. as state auditor. Democrats will attempt to maintain control of the state House and Senate as well as the state Treasurer’s office.
Wagner’s opponent for state auditor, Richard Korn, won a Democratic primary on September 14. Days later he ventured into what could be considered enemy territory, as the only Democratic candidate to take part in a forum sponsored by the First State Patriots, an advocacy group that supports conservative ideals.
"Actually, I was very encouraged,” Korn said. "People were three and four deep waiting to say ‘Thank you’ to me for coming and talking.”
Korn says his message of accountability and transparency is one that plays well with all voters, including members of the tea party movement. Accountability and transparency "have nothing to do with partisanship or the party label. It has to do with the people, and the kinds of people we put our trust and confidence in as elected officials.”
Democratic candidate for State Treasurer Richard Korn believes candidates in 2010 need to understand voter discontent.
State Senate President Pro Tem Anthony DeLuca (D-Newark) isn’t certain the primary results shift the political landscape tremendously. “I am sure some of the candidates are now looking at the fact that they’re having opponents other than the ones they imagined they would be campaigning against. I’m not sure that it changes your philosophy as a candidate at all.”
Senator DeLuca does believe the results can serve as a reminder to those in leadership of where their primary responsibility lies. “The fact that you get elected by your peers in the leadership, it just gets you added responsibility. You still have your constituency you have to work for. And you should.”
Retiring House Minority Leader Richard Cathcart (R-Middletown) believed his party could regain the State House majority before last week’s primary. He still believes that, even though he feels the ticket would have been stronger with Mike Castle at the top as the GOP’s nominee for U.S. Senate rather than Christine O’Donnell. “We believe we have a strong campaign strategy for our challengers as well as our incumbents,” Cathcart said.” It’s our intent to stick with that plan, and certainly implement that plan, and I think we’ll be very successful at the end of the day.”
House Minority Leader Richard Cathcart (R - Middletown) discusses voter discotent in 2010 possibly reversing the “backlash” that cost the GOP the DE House in 2008
Cathcart announced earlier this year that he would not seek re-election, but he remains House Minority Leader until November. He suggests the House Republican candidates are better positioned to connect with tea party supporters.
“Our message is very similar to the ones that won the primary," said Cathcart. “(That) is that we need to stop buying our way out of revenue shortfalls and debt by increasing taxes, and I think Republicans in the House of Representatives have been pretty consistent in that message."
“Conflict and change are vital components of our political process," said Minority Whip Daniel Short (R-Seaford) in a statement. "The recent primary election results emphasized that Republicans will not settle for politics as usual... I think the discontent that motivated voters will resonate with all citizens and win support for our Republican House candidates in November.”
