Delaware Democrats delivered their expected 2012 Election Day sweep in decisive fashion. Democrats took each race for statewide and federal office with at least 60 percent of the vote.
Excerpts from Governor Markell's Election night acceptance speech
Excerpts from Governor Markell's Election night acceptance speech
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Gov. Jack Markell produced the widest margin of victory. He defeated Republican Jeff Cragg by 40 points, 69 percent to 29 percent. But Markell told supporters at The Queen Theatre in Wilmington that the lopsided win does not mean locking out the other side from the process of governing.
"One of my messages to my fellow Democrats tonight is we’re having a good night in Delaware, but the point is that we represent all the people. We represent Democrats. We represent Republicans and everybody else. And its our job to put their interests first. It’s not about party," said Markell.
And Markell added that for him the work of a second term begins immediately.
"Tonight we celebrate, but tomorrow morning the work begins anew. Tomorrow we turn the page. We put the partisan battles behind us and we work together,” said Markell.
WDDE's Election night interview with Senator Tom Carper
WDDE's Election night interview with Senator Tom Carper
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In the U.S. Senate race, incumbent Democrat Sen. Tom Carper easily turned aside Republican Kevin Wade and Independent Alex Pires to win a third term with 66 percent. Wade had 26 percent. Pires, who questioned Carper’s health and service in Vietnam among a variety of attacks, managed less than 4 percent.
“The person who perpetrated these kind of attacks wound up with less than 5 percent of the vote," Carper told WDDE when asked about the often negative tone of the campaign. "He spent a ton of money and doesn’t have much to show for it. I think that might be a message to send to future candidates Democrat or Republican or Independent. That doesn’t work in Delaware."
Like Markell, Carper sounded a call for bipartisanship, saying the country could learn from a post-election Delaware tradition.
"Part of our magic here is Return Day," said Carper. "Two days from now , we'll all gather together [in Georgetown], Democrats and Republicans, winners and losers, bury the hatchet and say now that the election is over let's work together for the good of our state. We need a Return Day for the country."
John Carney received 64 percent support from voters to defeat Tom Kovach and return to the U.S House for a second term.
WDDE's Election night interview with Congressman John Carney
WDDE's Election night interview with Congressman John Carney
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“I tried to engage the voters, find out what their vision and aspiration is for the country and also communicate what I’d like to do on behalf of Delawareans – and I think that works," said Carney.
Now, Carney will try again to engage fellow members of the Republican controlled House and try to do what he says voters ask him to do - find away to get an often gridlocked Congress moving.
“The number one thing they say to me is why can’t you guys in Congress put the politics aside and just get something done, just do what you have to do for the country," said Carney.
Delaware voters also re-elected Lt. Governor Matt Denn and Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart by comfortable margins over 20 points.
Down the ballot, Democrats maintained their 13-8 majority in the State Senate as Nicole Poore ousted incumbent Republican Dori Connor in the 12th district, but Republican Greg Lavelle, the former House Minority Leader defeated incumbent Michael Katz in the 4th District. In other notable races, Democrat Andy Staton lost to Republican Ernie Lopez in the new 6th Senate District while Brian Pettyjohn went from write-in candidate to State Senator from the 19th District by defeating Democrat Jane Hovington.
Democrats also add a seat in the State House thanks in part to wins by Kim Williams in the 19th District and Trey Paradee in the 29th.
And Delaware played its part – albeit small – in re-electing President Barack Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden.
The Obama-Biden ticket won the First State and its 3 electoral votes by defeating Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan 59 to 40 percent.
The presidential race fueled strong turnout in Delaware despite a lack of highly contested statewide races. Turnout was 65 percent, well ahead the 49 percent that voted in the 2010 midterm election, but slightly off the 68 percent that came out for the last presidential race in 2008.
