The primary race for the 2022 midterm elections is almost here. Delaware is among the last states to hold its primary on Sept. 13. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
Here’s what to watch for in the upcoming election:
The most competitive race is … for state auditor
The auditor’s race is the only statewide primary, and it’s also the most interesting.
Incumbent Kathy McGuiness is squaring off against lawyer and accountant Lydia York. McGuiness is the first statewide elected official to be charged with crimes and found guilty. She has denied any wrongdoing and has told voters she’s the victim of an unfair, political prosecution.
In a rare move, the Delaware Democratic Party isn’t supporting the incumbent McGuiness. It’s backing York, who has raised significantly more money than the auditor in a short period of time.
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Things could get complicated (and weird) if McGuiness wins reelection. Gov. John Carney said he would not consider removing McGuiness until she is sentenced, which has not happened. It’s unclear what the governor will do if Delaware Democrats vote to keep McGuinness in office.
How will longtime, incumbent lawmakers do?
Though every General Assembly lawmaker is up for reelection this year, not everyone has a primary challenger.
There are eight primary races involving incumbents, many of whom have been in office for more than a decade. A majority of these races involve Democrats. One of the more high-profile Democratic primaries will likely be the district of Rep. Larry Mitchell, the House majority whip, who is being challenged by progressive DeShanna Neal.
Another race to watch involves Sen. Colin Bonini, a conservative Dover Republican who has been in office for nearly 30 years. He is facing two Republican challengers, Eric Buckson and Kim Petters.
Two Wilmington lawmakers, Reps. Stephanie T. Bolden and Nnamdi Chukwuocha, have primary opponents, who entered the race this summer. These races can be seen as a response to these lawmakers’ records on issues like renter’s rights and abortion access.
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Chukwuocha, representing District 1, is facing Shané Darby, currently a Wilmington city councilwoman. Bolden, who has represented District 2 for more than a decade, is being challenged by James Taylor, a state employee.
For many of these incumbents, this is the first time they’ve been challenged in years – if ever.
In 2020, four of seven incumbent Democratic lawmakers lost their primary races to underdog challengers, which shocked many in Legislative Hall. It was clear at the time that voters were looking for younger, more diverse and more progressive candidates.
This included then-Senate President Pro Tempore David McBride, who had been in the General Assembly for four decades. He lost to now-Sen. Marie Pinkney.
If incumbents lose this year, it could send a message in Dover, particularly to Democrats, that times are a-changin’.
Will election reform boost voter turnout?
This election features significant changes to the ways Delawareans can cast their ballots.
The General Assembly, this session, passed legislation that allows registered voters to mail in their ballots after requesting them from the Department of Elections. It was a significant win for Democrats, who for years have tried to pass similar election reforms.
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Republicans previously blocked an attempt to change the Delaware Constitution to widen absentee voting.
The General Assembly also voted to allow for same-day voter registration, which means residents can register to vote on election day.
But how much will these new laws boost voter turnout? We’ll find out on Tuesday.
Contact Meredith Newman at mnewman@gannett.com.
