Delaware Democrats in the election next week are expected to retain control of every statewide and as well as their majority in the General Assembly.
There likely won’t be too many surprises on Nov. 8, when Delawareans cast their vote in the midterm elections. The limited polling in Delaware shows that Democrats have significant leads, due to support from women and voters in New Castle County, the most populated county in the state.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT VOTING IN DELAWAREHow to vote early in Delaware’s U.S. House, General Assembly and attorney general race
Still, below are some of the races to keep an eye on:
U.S. Representative
Lisa Blunt Rochester is once again expected to win reelection as Delaware’s sole U.S. representative. She faces off against Republican Lee Murphy, who has previously run against Blunt Rochester.
A University of Delaware Center for Political Communication poll recently found that 50% of registered voters said they will vote for Blunt Rochester, while Murphy garnered 33% of support. Murphy is showing strong support in Sussex County.
In the last two elections, Blunt Rochester has won by double-digit margins.
2022 MIDTERMS:3 takeaways from the Blunt Rochester-Murphy U.S House debate
Attorney General
Kathy Jennings is also expected to win reelection next Tuesday.
She faces off against Republican challenger Julianne Murray, who notably recently won the state Supreme Court ruling for vote by mail.
The UD poll found that Jennings leads Murray by a margin of 13 points, 53% to 40%. Despite this significant lead, the poll found that Murray is leading in Sussex County, which is the most conservative area in Delaware.
General Assembly
Every lawmaker in the General Assembly is up for reelection this year due to redistricting. Often in the midterms the party that doesn’t occupy the White House sees momentum, locally and nationally, and is able to win key races.
While Republicans are poised to likely take control of the U.S. House of Representatives, and maybe even the U.S. Sentate, it’s highly unlikely the party will make any significant dent in The First State.
“With Delaware such a blue state, there may be some insulation for a lot of these races,” said Paul Brewer, a University of Delaware political science professor.
For the House, incumbent Republicans Reps. Kevin Hensley and Mike Ramone represent the Odessa area and Pike Creek respectively. They are among the few Republicans to represent areas of New Castle County. In both districts, Democrats exceed Republicans in registered voters – yet there are a sizable number of voters not registered to either party.
Both are also facing progressive Democratic candidates, who have been endorsed by the Delaware Working Families Party.
Hensley, who has been in office since 2014, is being challenged by Terrell Williams, a veteran and public defender. Ramone, who was first elected to the House in 2008, is facing off against Frank Burns, a climate activist and bio-tech entrepreneur.
In 2020, Ramone had the narrowest victory among the House elections, winning by about 5 points.
EARLY VOTINGSussex County leads Delaware in early voting, beating New Castle and Kent combined
For the Senate, District 7, which includes Pike Creek and Lancaster Pike/Newport Gap Pike, could be a close race. The seat has flipped-flopped in recent years, with a Republican unseating the then Senate president pro tempore in 2016 to then lose to now Sen. Spiros Mantzavinos in 2020.
Mantzavinos won the 2020 election by less than 3-points. Campaign filings show Mantzavinos has significantly out fundraised his opponent. He now faces Republican M. Sherm Porter, a veteran and business owner.
Republican Ernie López retired this year from hisSenate District 6 seat. Rep. Steve Smyk, who represents the Milton area in the House, is running to take his Senate seat. He faces Democratic Russ Huxtable, who has a background in affordable housing.
In this district, which also includes coastal towns like Lewes, Dewey Beach and Rehoboth, registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by a little more than 3,000 people. Yet voters not affiliated with either party make up about 25% of voters in the area.
Key races in neighboring states
Pennsylvania
The commonwealth likely has one of the most consequential elections with its U.S. Senate race. The outcome could determine the balance of power in the U.S. Senate, ultimately affecting issues like abortion rights and the economy, among others.
Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman faces Republican nominee Mehmet Oz. Though Fetterman has led most of the polls, the race has tightened in recent weeks.
For the governor’s race, Democratic candidate Josh Shapiro, the state attorney general, faces Doug Mastriano, who has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump. The far-right Republican has supported the former president’s lies that the election was stolen.
WHO WILL CONTROL CONGRESS?Graphics show key races to watch.
Maryland
Bestselling author Wes Moore is seen as the favorite to clinch the gubernatorial election in Maryland. He would become the state’s first Black governor if elected.
He faces Dan Cox, an ultra conservative who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump. Cox has also promoted the former president’s lies about the election. During the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, Cox tweeted that Vice President Mike Pence was a “traitor.”
Cox has been a right-wing member of the Maryland House of Delegate. Current Gov. Larry Hogan, who is a centrist, has called Cox mentally unstable.
U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen is also seeking reelection for his second term for his Senate seat. He faces Republican candidate Chris Chaffee.
