• The Working Families Party has endorsed former Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O’Mara for state governor.
• The political party also announced endorsements of seven other state House of Representatives candidates.
• The party will host a kickoff event announcing the endorsements on Saturday, May 4.

Former Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary and Democratic candidate for governor Collin O’Mara has been endorsed by the state Working Families Party. 

This is the first endorsement O’Mara has received in the race for Delaware’s governor, and the Working Families Party’s slate of endorsements is the first among political parties in the state.

Current candidate filings have O’Mara pitted against Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long and New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer in the Democratic Primary in September. Two Republicans are also vying for the seat – Jerrold Price, who filed his candidacy in December 2023, and Delaware GOP chair Julianne Murray, who announced last week she plans to run for governor.

Karl Stromberg, political director for the Delaware Working Families Party, said party “champions” in the legislature is why the state has seen “immense progress” on things like a $15 minimum wage, paid family and medical leave and moving to clean energy. 

“However, due to resistance from our current governor and state House (of Representatives) leadership, progress on issues like free school meals for all, true police reform, and community workforce agreements has been stalled or non-existent,” Stromberg said in a news release announcing the endorsements. “We believe that these leaders the WFP was proud to endorse will move us forward on all of these critical issues that working class people in Delaware want progress on.”

Former DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara is first Democrat to file for gubernatorial primary

The Working Families Party also announced a slate of endorsements for the General Assembly.

O’Mara excited to ‘join forces’ with Working Families Party

O’Mara, CEO of the nonprofit National Wildlife Federation, served as DNREC secretary from 2009 to 2014 under then-Gov. Jack Markell. 

His gubernatorial campaign has pledged to utilize federal funding to create “family-sustaining jobs” and focus on improving Delaware’s economy, education, environment and equitable access to housing, healthcare and public safety. O’Mara said he’d also focus on job creation that helps the state achieve 100% clean energy and net-zero emissions. 

“As Democrats, it’s on us to enact durable solutions that support Delaware’s working families — from strengthening our public schools, creating well-paying jobs, and eliminating child hunger to ensuring healthcare, housing, and childcare are more affordable, leading on climate change, and protecting fundamental rights,” O’Mara said in the release. “I am excited to be joining forces with the Working Families Party to fight for new bold policies that will expand opportunity for all Delawareans.”

Party endorses 7 candidates for the state House

The Working Families Party will host a kickoff event to celebrate the party’s first round of endorsements for the 2024 election on Saturday, May 4. 

MORE: What Delaware General Assembly seats are up for election?

The endorsements include:

• Branden Fletcher Dominguez, an affordable housing advocate, for state House District 3. He has yet to file his candidacy with the state Department of Elections, while Wilmington resident Josue O. Ortega has filed to run on the Democratic line. 
• Odessa resident Terrell A. Williams for state House District 9. Williams, a Democrat, is challenging Republican incumbent state Rep. Kevin Hensley for the seat.
• Kamela Smith for state House District 15. Smith, a Democrat, is challenging incumbent House Speaker Valerie Longhurst. 
• Frank Burns for state House District 21. Burns, a Democrat, is looking to flip the seat currently held by House Minority Leader Mike Ramone. Michael Smith, a former legislative aide and substitute teacher, also seeks the Democratic nomination.
• Monica Beard for state House District 22. Beard, a Democrat and policy coordinator for the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence, is looking to flip the seat held by Republican state Rep. Mike Smith. 
• Eric Morrison for state House District 27. Morrison, who is the incumbent, is being challenged by Democrat Margie López Waite. Morrison has yet to file for candidacy.
• Monica Shockley Porter for state House District 29. Shockley Porter, a Democrat, is challenging Democratic incumbent state Rep. Bill Bush for the seat.

Over the last two election cycles, the party has endorsed 12 state legislative candidates, winning seven of those races. 

In 2020, the party endorsed Marie Pinkney for state Senate and she defeated Senate Pro Tempore David McBride. In 2022, the party endorsed DeShanna Neal for state House of Representatives, and Neal defeated House Majority Whip Larry Mitchell.

Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries.

The governor will face a fellow Democrat, former state treasurer and current city Treasurer Velda Jones-Potter, in the September primary. Jones-Potter previously campaigned for mayor in 2020, only to lose to Purzycki in a vitriolic three-way race. Jones-Potter did not respond to a request for comment.

Carney, 67, has served two terms as governor, but is term-limited. Last fall, he told WHYY News he was “strongly considering” running for mayor. In a news release, he touted his experience as governor as the reason he is best suited for the job. He said top priorities would include public education and affordable housing.

“During my seven years as governor, we’ve invested more in the city of Wilmington than any administration that came before us,” he said. “Our state can be successful only if our city is successful. It’s as simple as that.”

An Israel-Hamas war protester interrupted the event, but attendees sang over the woman’s words and she was ejected from the event.

There are currently no Republican candidates running.

Jones-Potter became the first African American in Delaware history to hold statewide office when Gov. Jack Markell appointed her as state treasurer in 2009. Her campaign touts her efforts in that office during the Great Recession and highlights her national recognition for financial education and empowerment initiatives launched during her tenure.

Her campaign says she plans to focus on issues such as increasing homeownership, youth violence protection and early childhood through 12th grade education.