In hopes of joining a national conservative trend in this year’s election cycle, Delaware Republicans are unifying behind one message. The goal is to chip away at the state Democratic Party’s tight grip on nearly every statewide elected office and the Legislature by capitalizing on minority unrest. But keeping a wide swath of candidates on message could prove difficult for GOP officials — even without the voter registration disparity between the First State’s two major parties. That’s why, as Delaware Public Media political reporter James Dawson reports, that tactic is something of a rarity at the state level.
[audio:http://www.wdde.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/24964-gopfeature.mp3|titles= Delaware Public Media political reporter James Dawson examines the Delaware GOP's unified election strategy.]
If there’s one thing you'll hear from Republicans this election season, it’s the need to end Democrats "one-party rule" in the First State.
The GOP as a whole is taking a stand against a Democratic supermajority in the Delaware.
Democrats have held the state House since 2008, when the party surged past long-held Republican stalwarts as part of President Obama’s first White House win.
A Republican hasn’t sat in the governor’s chair since Mike Castle in 1992 and they’ve been in the minority in the state Senate for more than 40 years.
It’s clearly a sore spot for a party that feels like it’s been marginalized, and hopes to regain influence in November.
They may get some help from another national wave that’s put the Democratic Party’s control over the US Senate in jeopardy.
“If we look at the national focus, it seems to be anti-incumbent, whichever party. Because the Democrats control both chambers in Delaware, that might help the Republicans,” said Sam Hoff, a political science professor at Delaware State University.
Hoff says unified campaign themes aren’t out of the ordinary at the national level, but there’s a reason why it might be more difficult in a more concentrated area.
“When you think of trying to have a common theme at the state level, you’re thinking three sublevels: the state level, the county, the local level. So it’ll be a challenge to see if the candidates, in fact, can adhere to that,” said Hoff.
So far, it’s sticking at the state level. Several GOP candidates running for state House, Senate and even Treasurer have embraced it.
The Republican’s weekly message has been the main driver of their one party rule message.
Judy Travis is looking to claim ousted Rep. Dennis E. Williams’ seat in northern New Castle County in a hotly contested race with Sean Matthews.
She hosted the weekly video in August.
“Tipping the scales toward balanced government is an important pursuit and if we’re to truly reestablish trust in our elected officials, it’s a pursuit that we must all take up together,” said Travis.
Travis mentioned one-party rule several times during the two minute video and she wasn’t the only one.
State legislature candidates Greg Coverdale, Richard Drayton and Robert Martin made appearances earlier this year as well.
All are seeking seats in the Wilmington area and Coverdale says state and local Democratic Party policies have resulted in high crime rates and poorly performing schools.
“We’ve been told time and time again by the Democrats that our voices are being heard; that our votes matter; that we’re part of the coalition for change in Delaware," Coverdale said. "The fact is that the only change we’ve seen has been for the worse. It’s clear that one party Democratic rule has produced unacceptable results, and the people of our city deserve better.”
It’s something that’s been brewing over the past two years. At times, Democrats have introduced similar legislation as Republicans, letting the GOP version languish in committee.
Most visibly, House Minority Whip Deborah Hudson (R-Fairthorne) drafted three campaign finance reform bills in March after the release of a report outlining campaign finance violations – mostly by currently elected Democrats.
Two weeks later, leadership in both chambers unveiled a package of six bills crafted with Gov. Jack Markell’s (D-Delaware) office, which were eventually passed.
Both sets of legislation were based off of recommendations in the report written by former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Norman Veasey.
Hoff says that, understandably, leaves the minority party feeling jilted.
“[John Daniello, state Democratic Party executive director] and the Democratic leaders have to understand that being the majority party certainly has advantages. It doesn’t guarantee things, but it also has a responsibility and an obligation and I think, perhaps, that’s part of what the message that the Republicans are trying to bring to this campaign is all about,” said Hoff.
Regardless of the message, Hoff predicts the GOP will claim some new seats, but they will fall short of taking hold of either chamber.
Democrats still have a deep voter registration advantage in the state.
They outnumber registered Republicans by 125,000, but Independent and third party registration is healthy in many districts.
That could swing toward either party, though Democrats have the most to lose in this midterm election.
Republican treasurer candidate Ken Simpler hopes it could propel him into office.
“There’s a lot of Democrats and Independents who have concurred with the view that we have become a very deeply one-sided state and maybe the amount of dialogue that we need in our public offices is not taking place because we are so one-sided and they’ve been encouraged by the fact that I want to be a state treasurer. I don’t think anyone is looking at me as someone who’s trying to run just to gain a political foothold,” said Simpler.
Currently, Tom Wagner stands as the only statewide elected Republican and he has a formidable challenger in Brenda Mayrack.
Wagner himself made a recent appearance in the GOP’s weekly message touting the importance of a balanced government and his role in doing just that.
Voters will determine just how effective that message is November 4th.