First State Republicans voted in new leadership over the weekend.
Former Delaware Attorney General and Superior Court Judge Jane Brady is the new chair of Delaware’s Republican Party.
Brady was tapped as party chair at the state party’s annual convention Saturday and former State Rep. Deborah Hudson was selected vice chair, giving the party it’s first all-female leadership team.
Brady beat Chuck Boyce 211 votes to 96. Hudson defeated Paul Johnston 205 to 82 to win the vice-chair’s seat.
Brady says she’s ready to serve.
“I think I have a lot of energy and ideas to bring. I think that we have reason to be optimistic; there’s some really great, energized people out there, who very much care about values that are important to me.” said Brady.
Brady says her goal is to bring some political balance back to state government.
Republicans hold no statewide offices following the 2016 election, and face a significant voter registration disadvantage. Nearly half of Delaware’s registered voters are Democrats. Less than 30 percent are Republicans.
She says the party must do better at getting it’s message out.
"You know we really are relatively invisible in the media in Delaware. I intend to issue Op-Ed’s to press releases - to hold community events - to be heard,”
said Brady.
Brady adds that she believes her experience running for office can help turn the tide.
"I know what it takes to win. I ran in a State that thought the Democrats were going to take that race, at least two of the three times I ran they were certain of it and they didn’t, because I just worked harder and I made strategic and practical choices that were effective,” Brady said.
Brady was the first woman to serve as Delaware Attorney General when she was elected in 1994. She stepped down in 2005 after three terms to serve on the Superior Court.
Brady also points to the personal relationships she's built statewide, having lived and worked in all three counties. She believes she can build peoples’ trust and confidence in the GOP and lead the party to better election results in 2020.
Brady replaces Mike Harrington as state party chair. Harrington decided to not seek another term due to personal commitments.
