Delaware Democrats prepare for new Trump administration

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Democrats in Delaware are seeking answers and preparing for President-elect Donald Trump to take office for another four years. Meanwhile, Republicans are hopeful the former president will enact the promises he made during his campaign.

Emotions ranged from joy to shock at Return Day, held just days after last week’s election. It’s a centuries-old First State tradition where every election cycle, candidates and Delawareans of all political affiliations come together to bury an actual hatchet to show there are no hard feelings — even after a divisive election.

Sussex County Republican Committee Vice Chair Tom Molnar had a booth set on the fairgrounds last week, with a cardboard copy of Trump people took pictures with and a large red hat with Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan on it.

“This is the best week that we’ve had in a long time,” Molnar said. “Trump won, and we had a lot of Republicans win the election.”

Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris lost the popular vote and the Electoral College to Trump. Republicans gained control of the U.S. Senate; the House is still undecided to date, but Republicans are inching towards victory there as well.

Former Rep. Debbie Harrington, who unsuccessfully sought the lieutenant governor position in the Democratic primary earlier this year, said she thinks some people were uncomfortable electing a Black woman as president.

“When you talk about the differences in the two of them, it just didn’t cross my mind that he had the ability to win,” she said. “I just didn’t believe that.”

Millville resident Sherrena Williams said she’s worried the rights of Black people will erode under the next Trump administration.

“I personally grew up during segregation, and I’m starting to have flashbacks,” Williams said. “When we look at the television and he gave his [acceptance] speech, nobody looked like us on that stage.”

While Harris carried Delaware, turnout and Trump’s ability to broaden his appeal contributed to his overall win.

Delaware’s turnout was down from 68% four years ago, when President Joe Biden was running to 65% this year, state Department of Elections data shows. That’s similar to results nationally, where overall turnout was 65%, two points lower than in 2020.

Trump also increased his share of votes in the First State this election cycle, garnering 214,184 in 2024 compared with 200,184 in 2020.

Former Rep. Ruth Briggs King, a Republican who lost a bid for lieutenant governor against Democrat Kyle Evans Gay, said she saw more Black and Latino voters support her than in prior races.

“They like direct speech, not a lot of legalese, not a lot of political jargon,” she said. “They want that real and sincere conversation. And I think that must have resonated with them.”

Williams said the Democratic Party is not doing enough to represent the Black community.

Trump gained support from more Black voters, particularly men, this year than in 2020, according to data from AP VoteCast.

“The Democratic Party has to step up and be more proactive in supporting Black people,” Williams said. “They like us, but they’re not putting forth policy to show that. So that’s very important, and I think that is why Black men voted for the Republican Party. They see the Democratic Party as being friendly towards us as a people, but not friendly towards us with their policies.”

Delaware voters elected Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester to fill the seat of retiring Sen. Tom Carper, making her the state’s first woman and Black candidate elected to that chamber.