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Delaware GOP lines up behind primary winners

Delaware Public Media

The Delaware GOP is embracing the winner of its U.S. Senate primary candidate, even though she was not the party’s endorsed candidate.

 

Lauren Witzke defeated the party backed choice for Senate, Jim Demartino, getting 57 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s GOP primary.  Her victory brought immediate scrutiny of previous social media messages expressing support for the QAnon conspiracy theory 

But Delaware GOP chairwoman Jane Brady told Delaware Public Media Tuesday night she has “no concern” about throwing the party’s support behind Witzke.

"She's run a good campaign, she's been very aggressive, she seemed very clear on where she stands on the issue," Brady said.

Brady says she spoke with Witzke after she won the primary, and unlike Scott Walker two years ago in the U.S. House race, the GOP will not separate from her.

Brady believes Witzke has what it takes to win the seat for Republicans.

"She's shown great energy, she's very bright, and she's worked very hard. And she's earned the support of the party," said Brady "I think that she has the approach of taking the issues straight to Chris Coons. She has made it clear that she supports the president's policies and Chris Coons does not."

Coons easily won his Democraic primary Tuesday, defeating Jessica Scarane with 71 percent of the vote as he seeks another term in the Senate. 

Julianne Murray outlasted five others in Tuesday’s Republican gubernatorial primary.

But Brady doesn’t think that crowded race is a negative heading into the general election against incumbent Governor John Carney.

Jane Brady argues the volume of candidates helped keep the focus on issues.

"I don't think it was splintered, because there were six, and not two where it got personal, everybody talked about the issues," said Brady "So I didn't see it get very personal. And you know every one of those candidates was running with the idea that they were going to oppose John Carney."

Gov. Carney won his primary with ease Tuesday, pulling in 85 percent of the vote.

Carney faced criticism from all of the GOP primary candidates over his handling of the COVID pandemic, but Brady expects Murray to highlight such as education, jobs, public safety, and supporting law enforcement during the lead up to November’s general election.

Joe brings over 20 years of experience in news and radio to Delaware Public Media and the All Things Considered host position. He joined DPM in November 2019 as a reporter and fill-in ATC host after six years as a reporter and anchor at commercial radio stations in New Castle and Sussex Counties.
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