Delaware

Delaware GOP, shut out again in statewide races, grapples for ways to regain relevance

Published

2 hours ago

November 8, 2024

Delaware GOP, shut out again in statewide races, grapples for ways to regain relevance

Party faithful short on specifics about how to rebound

So how does the Delaware GOP, which hasn’t had a governor since 1992 or a member of Congress since 2010, mount a rebound to even be seriously competitive in statewide races, let alone win them?

Party faithful who gathered Tuesday night at the Hilton near Newark offered various thoughts, but were short on specifics and tangible ways to grow their numbers. Still, they accepted their current diminished status and celebrated live reports that former President Donald Trump looked to be regaining the White House.

Colmery, a retired respiratory therapist who now sells real estate, stated the obvious. “You try to flip the Democrats and the independents,’’ she said.

But how the GOP could close the registration gap and attract candidates that appeal in large numbers to Democrats and non-affiliated voters, was a far thornier question for Colmery. Instead of offering concrete strategic tactics, she responded by criticizing Meyer and current Gov. John Carney, who will become mayor of Wilmington in January. Both are Democrats.

Colmery also cited the Democrats’ near-total control of Wilmington, where few Republicans even bother to seek office.

“Wilmington’s a big problem because that’s never going to change,’’ she said. “I mean, they just brought in Carney as their mayor. Are you kidding me?”

She said Wilmington’s families raise their children in the Democratic tradition. “That’s all they know,’’ she said. “And no one’s educating them on what’s actually going on in the world. They don’t know.”

However, Colmery’s inflammatory and unsubstantiated rhetoric about the residents in Delaware’s largest city is largely irrelevant statewide because Wilmington only has about 7% of the state’s population of roughly 1 million people.

Besides, Wilmington was overwhelmingly Democratic in the early 1990s, when Delaware had barely 700,000 residents and Republicans held several statewide posts and controlled the state House.

The reality is that far more of the 300,000 new residents over the last three decades have been Democrats, and they have increasingly voted for members of their own party.

Wilmington’s influence on elections was a theme repeated by several Republicans in the crowd Tuesday, including John Zeron, who owns a Newark chimney sweeping company.

Even though Sussex and Kent counties have higher poverty rates than New Castle County, and some towns in Sussex and Kent have higher poverty rates than Wilmington, Zeron echoed Colmery’s sentiments.

John Zeron (left), who runs a small chimney sweeping company, says the party needs to focus on attracting and helping people with businesses. (Cris Barrish/WHYY)

He said too many New Castle County and Wilmington-area residents receive benefits from government entitlement programs, so they don’t see the Republican party as a viable political home.

But for Republicans to gain legions of new voters statewide, Zeron said the party needs to focus on people like him.

“What Republicans need to do is really focus on the businessman,” Zeron said before immediately pivoting to a grievance about Democratic-led regulatory rules.

“I’m a business owner and I’ve only got three employees. I would like to have more employees. I would like to grow my business, but the cards are stacked against me.”

‘We don’t want open borders. We want our guns, our country.’

Josie Herninko wasn’t expecting wins Tuesday night, however.

“But I think maybe in a few years, if we keep at it with the grassroots movement, if the people really get out there and really work, we might have a chance, maybe in a couple of years,’’ said Herninko, a retiree.

But while Trump and his Make America Great Again movement won the nation’s popular vote as well as Pennsylvania and six other so-called swing states to regain the presidency, what message would Herninko use to attract voters to Republican red in blue Delaware?

“You gotta just go out there and let them know what your party stands for, what Republican means,’’ she said. “We’re a party of conservatives. We believe in the Constitution. We believe in the rights. We don’t want open borders. We want our guns, our country, that’s what we want.’’

Julianne Murray, the state’s GOP chairperson and a former unsuccessful candidate for governor and attorney general, acknowledged the steep hurdles her party must overcome to once again be a force in Delaware.

“We are the third party in this state,’’ she said, noting that the GOP’s 209,000 registered voters trail not only the Democrats’ 354,000, but also the 228,000 who are not affiliated with any party or belong to a minor party.

“Those numbers are just super tough to deal with,’’ Murray said. “So the pitch has to be, that I’ll be making, is that we are right on the policies.”

She said progressive Democrats are exerting far too much pull on the ruling party but as of now, “people aren’t suffering enough [from their governance]. So I’m going to continue to say, ‘Look, the Republican party is alive.’ People have to do some soul searching and kind of figure it out. We also have to put a concerted effort into bringing the unaffiliated back in.”

McCann, a retired general in the Delaware Army National Guard, said the march will be a long one, and noted that from 1969 to 1970, his party held all statewide elective seats.

“So it took 50 years for us to lose it. I’m betting it’s gonna take us 25 to get this back,’’ McCann said. “You don’t get it all back in one day. It’s a building process. It’s one person at a time.”

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Delaware

Delaware political candidates agree to move on after divisive election cycle

Published

9 hours ago

November 8, 2024

Press Room

Delaware political candidates agree to move on after divisive election cycle

Former President Donald Trump is again the president-elect after beating Vice President Kamala Harris. Tom Molnar is the vice-chair of the Sussex County Republican Party. He said many people at Return Day are very excited about the result of the presidential race.

“Everybody’s happy today,” he said. “Haven’t seen that in a long time. People are happy about the outcome of the election.”

Delaware Democrats continued to dominate all nine statewide offices, including governor, lieutenant governor and insurance commissioner. There were historic victories for state Sen. Sarah McBride, who will become the first openly transgender person to serve in U.S. Congress and U.S. Senator-elect Lisa Blunt Rochester, Delaware’s first woman and Black candidate elected to that chamber.

Democrats increased their margin by one in the state House, 27-14, picking up Minority Leader Mike Ramone’s seat, who left it to run for governor. Election results remained stagnant in the state Senate, where Democrats kept a 15-6 advantage.

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Delaware

Delaware State To Add A D1 Women’s Wrestling Program – FloWrestling

Published

17 hours ago

November 7, 2024

Press Room

Delaware State To Add A D1 Women’s Wrestling Program – FloWrestling

Below is a press release from Delaware State about adding a Division I wrestling program. in the fall of 2025. Delaware State Hornets will be the fifth program to offer D1 women’s wrestling.

DOVER — HBCU Wrestling and Delaware State University (DSU) are proud to announce the historic launch of the first-ever Division I women’s wrestling program at an HBCU, a major milestone made possible by a generous $1.25 million gift from HBCU Wrestling. This initiative represents more than just an expansion in athletics; it is a commitment to equitable opportunities, reflecting both institutions’ dedication to creating pathways where student-athletes can thrive.

“The partnership with HBCU Wrestling gives our women student-athletes a platform to compete, grow, and inspire others. We are excited for this new chapter and the impact it will have for years to come,” said Dr. Alecia Shields-Gadson, Director of Athletics.

The Delaware State University athletics department will immediately begin the search for a head coach. The first season for the women’s wrestling program is set to begin in the Fall 2025.

Founded in 2021, HBCU Wrestling has made it its mission to bring wrestling back to HBCUs, giving young athletes the chance to excel in sports while being empowered as leaders. This movement began with a $2.7 million gift to Morgan State University, leading to the revitalization of its wrestling program. With the launch of DSU’s women’s team, HBCU Wrestling continues its mission to increase representation and opportunity in collegiate sports.

Restoring Tradition, Advancing Equity

Delaware State University’s history in wrestling spans decades, and it was the last HBCU to offer a Division I wrestling program before it was discontinued in 2009 due to financial challenges. The closure of DSU’s program mirrored a broader trend, as many universities—both HBCUs and others—faced similar pressures that led to the elimination of wrestling programs nationwide. Now, with HBCU Wrestling’s strategic support, DSU is not only reviving its program but doing so in a way that aligns with Title IX standards and promotes gender equity. This new program opens the doors for DSU to develop a sustainable, competitive team where young women athletes can reach their full potential.

“This announcement is not only about wrestling; it’s about expanding access to life-changing opportunities,” said Jahi Jones, Executive Director of HBCU Wrestling. “At HBCU Wrestling, we’ve built a foundation that now allows young women to succeed, thrive, and lead while still being in an environment where they feel seen, valued, and loved. This program aligns with the incredible growth of women’s wrestling nationwide, and I look forward to a strong, lasting partnership with Delaware State University that will inspire and empower future generations.”

A New Era for HBCU Athletics

DSU President Tony Allen highlighted the significance of this partnership.

“Delaware State University is proud to take this historic step in advancing opportunities for women in sports,” said Tony Allen, President of DSU. “We’re also thankful for our partnership with HBCU Wrestling, which will give our student-athletes the tools and environment they need to grow and succeed. This program will be a cornerstone of our commitment to fostering growth, diversity, and excellence in athletics.”

Toccara Montgomery, the first Black woman to win a World Championship medal for the United States and to represent the U.S. in Olympic wrestling, shared her thoughts on the program “Seeing Delaware State launch the first-ever Division 1 women’s wrestling team at an HBCU is a powerful moment that feels like the realization of a dream. When I held a camp at DSU not long ago, I saw firsthand the excitement and potential in the athletic staff and community. This new program is more than just an opportunity—it’s a historic step forward that will inspire young women of color to chase their passions and know they belong at the highest levels of sport.”

As DSU’s women’s wrestling program begins, HBCU Wrestling remains focused on building a legacy of inclusion, competitive excellence, and community impact for years to come.

About Historically Black Colleges and Universities Wrestling Initiative:

Historically Black Colleges and Universities Wrestling Initiative (HBCUW) seeks to establish and restore wrestling to America’s historically black colleges and universities and expand access to opportunities created by wrestling for the black community so as to advance social justice and produce black wrestlers and leaders who have the potential to change the trajectory of their families, community, and country. Through the establishment and restoration of wrestling programs at HBCUs, we aim to expand access to the invaluable life skills, networking opportunities, and career pathways that the sport offers.

About Delaware State University:

Delaware State University was founded in 1891 and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Its main location is in Dover, yet DSU offers courses throughout the state of Delaware. Learn more at www.desu.edu

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Delaware

Pennsylvania judge strikes down permits for new Delaware port terminal

Published

1 day ago

November 7, 2024

Press Room

Pennsylvania judge strikes down permits for new Delaware port terminal

From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Let us know!

Delaware’s port expansion plans are at risk after a Pennsylvania judge sided with Philly ports in lawsuit.

When the state of Delaware announced in May it would spend nearly $200 million to build the $635 million Edgemoor container terminal at the Port of Wilmington, it said the investment could create nearly 6,000 new jobs. But a recent court decision invalidating key permits could jeopardize the entire project. The state is partnering with private port operator Enstructure on the new facility.

U.S. District Judge Mark Kearney of the Western District of Pennsylvania ruled that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers “arbitrarily and capriciously departed from its own procedures” in issuing the permits and ordered a closer, more in depth review of the project.

The Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (Philaport) and ports affiliated with Holt Logistics Corp., whose affiliates operate terminals in Philadelphia and South Jersey, sued the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after it had approved Delaware expansion plans. They argued that the new Edgemoor port would divert shipping to Delaware from Philadelphia.

Holt Logistics CEO Leo Holt said Delaware wants to take advantage of the main channel deepening channel it once tried to thwart after it was completed with no cost to the First State.

“I think it’s actually a lot of effrontery to come up with a plan and sort of thumb your nose at the [non] federal sponsor, which was the state of Pennsylvania,” he said. “Delaware actually went to court to stop the [main] channel deepening.”

A spokesperson for outgoing Gov. John Carney said he’s disappointed by the court ruling.

“Quite frankly, we’re frustrated with the impediments that have been put in place by our competitors in Philadelphia,” Director of Communications Emily Hershman said. “While the state of Delaware was not involved in this case, we know the teams are already working quickly to get the permits back on track and move this important project forward.”

The Diamond State Port Corporation, the entity that manages the port for the state, held a special board meeting last week to discuss the judge’s ruling. However, most of the meeting was held in executive session, outside of public view.

Board Chair and Delaware Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock said during open session he was still confident of the plan.

“This project has a huge amount of support in the state of Delaware,” he said. “We are not going to be intimidated by people from out of state who are acting in their own self interest.”

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