Delaware

What to expect in Delaware's state primaries

Published

1 year ago

September 6, 2024

What to expect in Delaware's state primaries

Delaware’s most prominent elected official, President Joe Biden, may have upended the presidential race in July when he dropped his bid for a second term, but it’s the impending departures of two other prominent Democratic officeholders, Gov. John Carney and U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, that are having ripple effects throughout the ballot in Tuesday’s state primaries.

Carney will leave statewide office next year after two terms as governor, two terms as lieutenant governor and three terms as the state’s lone representative to the U.S. House. His departure has set off contested primaries for both the Democratic and Republican nominations.

The Democratic candidates are Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer and National Wildlife Federation CEO and former state Natural Resources Secretary Collin O’Mara. The Republican candidates are retired police officer Jerry Price, state House Minority Leader Michael Ramone and small business owner Bobby Williamson.

Hall-Long has Carney’s endorsement and is the only candidate in the race to have previously won statewide office. But the two-term lieutenant governor has had a difficult summer after a state-ordered forensic audit of her campaign finances revealed improprieties over an eight-year period.

Emails reviewed by the Associated Press also showed that members of the lieutenant governor’s staff engaged in campaign activity on her behalf during government work hours, which is prohibited by state law. Hall-Long has disputed the findings of the forensic audit, saying the issues identified in the report were the result of minor bookkeeping errors. Nonetheless, Meyer, her primary rival, has called for a federal investigation into the matter.

Carney is barred from running for a third term as governor but will still appear on some ballots in the state as a candidate for mayor of Wilmington, Delaware’s most populous city. His opponent in the Democratic primary is another former statewide officeholder, Velda Jones-Potter, who was appointed state treasurer in 2009 and served about two years before losing her bid for a full term.

Long-Hall is also term-limited as lieutenant governor, and four women have lined up to replace her. State Rep. Sherry Dorsey-Walker, state Sen. Kyle Evans-Gay and state party vice chair Debbie Harrington are running for the Democratic nomination. Former state Rep. Ruth Briggs King is unopposed for the Republican nomination.

Carper’s announcement in 2023 that he would not seek a fifth term created the state’s first open-seat U.S. Senate race since 2010, when U.S. Sen. Chris Coons was elected to the seat Biden had vacated to assume the vice presidency. Democratic U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester looks to replace Carper, as does Republican former Walmart executive Eric Hansen. Both are unopposed for their parties’ nominations and will not appear on Tuesday’s ballot.

With Blunt Rochester running to replace Carper in the U.S. Senate, both Democrats and Republicans will hold contested primaries to take over the seat she has held since 2017. Democratic state Sen. Sarah McBride is the best-known and best-funded candidate across both primary fields. She has the backing of Carper, Coons and Rochester, and had $1.7 million in the bank as of the end of June. Her only competitor from either party to disclose any funds raised was Republican Donyale Hall, who reported a campaign war chest of just shy of $7,500. If elected, McBride would become the first openly transgender member of Congress.

Although control of both the U.S. Senate and House may come down to just a small handful of competitive races, the seats in Delaware are expected to remain firmly in the Democratic column. Once a reliable bellwether in presidential races, Delaware has shifted heavily Democratic since the 1990s. Republicans have not won the governorship since 1988, a U.S. Senate seat since 1994 or the U.S. House seat since 2008.

About half of Delaware’s 21 state Senate seats and all 41 state House seats are up for election 2024, although only 12 districts will hold contested primaries on Tuesday. Democrats hold about two-to-one majorities in each chamber.

Here’s a look at what to expect on Tuesday:

Primary day

Delaware’s state primaries will be held Tuesday. Polls close at 8 p.m. ET.

What’s on the ballot

The Associated Press will provide vote results and declare winners in contested primaries for governor, lieutenant governor, U.S. House, state Senate, state House, insurance commissioner and mayor of Wilmington.

Who gets to vote

Delaware voters who are registered with a political party may only participate in that party’s primary. Democrats may not vote in the Republican primary or vice versa. Independent or unaffiliated voters may not participate in either primary.

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Related Topics:elections 2024 Featured gov. john carney

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Delaware

Can you legally ride e-bikes and scooters in Delaware

Published

9 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

Can you legally ride e-bikes and scooters in Delaware

Sure, cars and motorcycles are popular ways to get around. But if you can’t afford either one, an electric bike might save the day like Delaware’s own Superman.

Then again, is it legal to cruise around on an electric bike or electric scooter in Delaware?

Here’s a guide to help you stay out of trouble when traveling in the Small Wonder:

What are Delaware laws for riding electric bikes?

An electric bicycle may be ridden anywhere bicycles are allowed (unless posted otherwise), which includes streets, highways, roadways, shoulders and bicycle lanes.

Delaware prohibits anyone under the age of 16 from operating an electric bicycle, which features pedal assist only and tops off at 28 mph.

Difference between electric scooter, triped and moped explained

A motorized skateboard or scooter is any vehicle with two wheels on the ground, handlebars and a hand-controlled throttle or brake, designed to be stood or sat upon by the operator, according to Delaware law.

While mopeds and tripeds are similar in design and size, mopeds have two wheels and tripeds have three wheels.

Where can you legally ride motorized vehicles?

Delaware law states that motorized skateboards or scooters can be used on public streets or highways as long as they are in the neutral position or the powertrain function is disengaged. However, in Newark, you can be fined $100 for riding motorized scooters on streets and sidewalks.

Mopeds and tripeds are prohibited on interstates and operating railroads, according to the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles.

Do you need insurance for a triped or moped?

No motor vehicle insurance is required for operating a moped or triped, according to the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles.

What rules are there for riding a scooter?

Delaware state law states that a person cannot operate a motorized skateboard or scooter while under the influence of alcohol or any drug.

Are there license and registration requirements for electric bikes?

If you want to operate scooters, they must be tagged and registered by the Division of Motor Vehicles, and the operator must have a valid driver’s license.

The Delaware DMV states that a basic driver’s license is required to travel with a moped or triped on public roadways.

The state of Delaware does not have any licensing or registration requirements for electric bikes.

Who can legally ride an electric scooter?

The minimum age to operate a scooter is 16. No person under 12 can operate a scooter unless they are under adult supervision or a parent or legal guardian.

Is there a law for wearing a helmet on a motorized scooter or skateboard?

To operate a motorized skateboard or scooter, bicycle-type helmets are required for those under 16, according to Delaware State law.

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters

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Delaware

Delaware County Council chooses new leadership

Published

21 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Delaware County Council chooses new leadership

Monday also coincided with the swearing-in ceremony of Womack, Controller Louis Rosenthal, District Attorney Tanner Rouse, Sheriff Siddiq Kamara and first-term Councilmember Joanne Phillips.

“I remain inspired by what the voters told me during this election,” Phillips said in the press release. “They told me to keep working hard, use my common sense, keep moving the county forward, implement changes as efficiently and effectively as we can, use our resources wisely, and take care of our people.”

First-term Delaware County Councilmember Joanne Phillips gets sworn in at the induction ceremony on Jan. 5, 2026. (Courtesy of Delaware County Communications and Public Affairs Department)

Among its first orders of business, County Council voted to reappoint Barbara O’Malley as executive director for a two-year term to oversee the day-to-day operations of government departments.

County Council’s first official meeting is Wednesday.

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Delaware

Katt Williams & more big comedians to see in, near Delaware 2026

Published

1 day ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Katt Williams & more big comedians to see in, near Delaware 2026

Are you already in need of a laugh (or two) in 2026?

There are several comedians performing in Delaware area this year who might be able to get the job done. But it’ll cost you a couple of coins.

Here are some big (and smaller) comedians who are currently confirmed for touring in and near the First State, from now through the summer.

Some of the most notable Black comedians performed on HBO’s raw “Def Comedy Jam” in the 1990s, including Dave Chapelle, Bernie Mac and Thea Vidale. That’s the same unfiltered Vidale who also starred as the mama of WWE star Shelton Benjamin for a brief wrestling storyline. Vidale also played the mom of R&B singer Brandy on the ’90s sitcom “Thea,” which made the veteran comic the first Black female comedian to have a sitcom named after them on a national network, according to The Grand’s website. Vidale will headline a night of laughs at an event presented by Keenan Copening’s Bar None Entertainment. The event includes DJ-K and The Reverend Bob Levy.

Studio 1 of The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8:30 p.m. Jan. 10. Tickets are $50. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call (302) 652-5577.

Delaware State Fair alum Jeff Dunham is coming to the arena of the Philadelphia 76ers with his new “AI” tour, which doesn’t stand for “Allen Iverson,” sadly. The rock-star ventriloquist and his puppet gang, who have 4.76 million YouTube subscribers, will tickle patrons with the “Artificial Intelligence” tour, a subject we can’t avoid these days.

Xfinity Mobile Arena (3601 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) at 7 p.m. Jan. 15. Tickets start at $92. Visit jeffdunham.com.

With 9 million fans on Instagram, Desi Banks will march a small army of his soldiers into a battlefield of silliness where he’ll wage war against boredom this spring. Although people love his internet skits, Banks is a veteran performer who also can work a stage, which he’s shared with big names including Martin Lawrence and Mike Epps.

Punch Line Philly (33 E. Laurel St., Philadelphia) at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Jan. 16; 7 and 9:15 p.m., Jan. 17; 7 p.m. Jan. 18. For tickets or more info, visit punchlinephilly.com or call (215) 606-6555.

The new year equals a fresh start to hear new jokes. Next on deck is comedian Mike Cannon, who can overshare with the best of them. Cannon has a sharp-witted style of comedy that can turn on-the-spot crowd observations into three minutes of material. Among his long list of credits, the podcast troublemaker starred in the film “Timing” on Amazon Prime, and he’s appeared on Barstool Sports’ “Friday Night Pints.”

The Queen (500 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. Jan. 29. Tickets are $32. Visit thequeenwilmington.com or call (302) 400-7020.

Seven wild comics will hit one stage, with Mike Epps leading the way, during the return of the “We Them One’s” comedy tour at The Liacouras Center, home of the Temple Owls. The lineup features Epps, DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller, Chico Bean, Mojo Brookzz, Tony Roberts, Jayski and Fab Monroe.

Liacouras Center (1776 N. Broad St., Philadelphia) at 8 p.m., Feb. 20. Tickets are $85-$311+. Visit liacourascenter.com or call (215) 204-2400.

Maybe you saw Affion Crockett in a friendly roast battle against Kevin Hart, or in Netflix’s “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.” Either way, one of the next places you can catch Crockett is headlining four shows at Punch Line Philly.

Punch Line Philly (33 E. Laurel St., Philadelphia) at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Feb. 20; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Feb. 21. For tickets or more info, visit punchlinephilly.com or call (215) 606-6555.

It was only late last year when comedian and actor Patton Oswalt came to Wilmington. Now he’s headed back to Delmarva, this time playing Ocean City.The longtime entertainer has a résumé in TV and film that’s longer than the “Star Wars” title sequence with TV and movie credits that include “The King of Queens,” “Parks and Recreation” and last year’s “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.”

Ocean City Performing Arts Center (4001 Coastal Highway, Convention Center, Ocean City) at 7 p.m. March 5. Tickets are $61.90 to $185.50. Visit ocmdfilmfestival.com.

Comedian Ryan Davis ended 2025 on a high note, opening for well-respected comic Ali Siddiq. Davis is best known for his viral videos on social media, where he spent years ranting about pop culture or whatever else was on his mind. Some of his notable credits include appearances on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “All Def Comedy.”

Punch Line Philly (33 E. Laurel St., Philadelphia) at 7 and 9:15 p.m. March 20; 7 and 9:15 p.m. March 21. For tickets or more info, visit punchlinephilly.com or call (215) 606-6555.

Going to a Garrison Keillor performance can feel like you’re at a concert, poetry session and a comedy show in one event. The storyteller, who is a native of Minnesota, will be joined with special guest Rich Dworsky for an evening of double trouble.

The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. March 28. Tickets are $66-$86. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call (302) 652-5577.

Tracy Locke and more: ‘April Fools Festival,’ Milton

No matter the forecast, comedian Tracy Locke is bringing you spring comedy showers in Milton, so bring a poncho. The headliner will be joined with Dave Evans and host Keith Purnell.

Milton Theatre (110 Union St., Milton) at 7:30 p.m. April 25. Tickets are $15.76-$22.35. Visit miltontheatre.com or call (302) 684-3038

Don’t think David Sedaris stands around telling jokes all day. Because he’s versatile enough to sit down and write humor, which he’s proved through multiple New York Times bestsellers. This includes Sedaris’ writings in “Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls” (comical essays about personal events that range from a colonoscopy to his dad wearing a shirt and underwear during dinner). Sedaris reminds his fans that the same thing that can make you cry also can make you laugh.

The Playhouse on Rodney Square (1007 N. Market St, Wilmington) at 7 p.m. April 12. Tickets are $55-$92. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call (302). 888-0200.

There might not be a comedian today who’s more likeable than Katt Williams, depending on whom you ask. Williams, who has headlined arenas for years, caught fire on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast in 2024 with an episode that cracked over 91 million views. He’s seen a surge of popularity over the last two years that saw more podcast appearances like Joe Rogan’s pod, which racked up 25 million views alone.

Liacouras Center (1776 N. Broad St., Philadelphia) at 8 p.m. April 24. Tickets are $92-$353+. Visit liacourascenter.com or call (215) 204-2400.

Aries Spears, Wilmington

The biggest comedian who’s been announced for Delaware in 2026 is Aries Spears, who has been in the game for over three decades, and he’s still cracking people up. From his eight seasons on the sketch series “MADtv” to being a regular guest on the popular YouTube channel Vlad TV, Spears has shown his versatile ability to be funny with a script and in candid conversation. While Spears isn’t just an impressionist comic, he’s got a knack for mimicking entertainers like DMX, Jay-Z, Denzel Washington and Shaquille O’Neal.

The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. May 1. Tickets are $55-$99. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call thegrandwilmington.org.

Pennsylvania native Shane Gillis is gonna be on an emotional high when he headlines The Linc, home of the Philadelphia Eagles, this summer, joined by special guests. Gillis is one of the hottest names in comedy and showed people when he appeared in Bud Light’s 2025 Super Bowl ad with Peyton Manning and Post Malone, an experience that was capped off with The Birds winning the Super Bowl.

The Linc (One Lincoln Financial Field Way, Philadelphia) at 8 p.m. July 17. Tickets are $30-$171+. Visit lincolnfinancialfield.com.

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