NEWARK, Del. (AP) - Delaware Democrat Chris Coons has been re-elected to the U.S. Senate, beating back a challenge from Republican businessman Kevin Wade by a vote of 55 percent to 42 percent.
This year's Senate race in Delaware was a foregone conclusion for many political observers and did not figure into the national battle between Democrats and Republicans for control of the Senate.
Wade faced huge disadvantages in fundraising and voter registration numbers against Coons, who served as chief executive of the largest county in heavily Democratic Delaware before he was elected to the Senate.
Meanwhile, congressman John Carney beat his Republican challenger Rose Izzo by a margin of 59 percent to 36 percent.
GOP Wins Treasurer's Race
In the race for state treasurer Republican Ken Simpler became the first non-incumbent Republican to win statewide office.
He beat out Democrat Sean Barney by a vote of 53 percent to 43 percent.
He said last night that he looks forward to doing his job.
During the campaign, Simpler highlighted his experience that would make him the qualified candidate to oversee Delaware's $1.8 billion cash portfolio.
Simpler is a chief financial officer for a Delaware-based hotel management company.
Incumbent Chip Flowers dropped out of the Democratic primary after allegations of misconduct by his staff.
Rich Collins Defeats Incumbent
In what was a rematch of two years ago, Rich Collins defeated incumbent Democrat John Atkins for Delaware's District 41 in the state House of Representatives.
The Republican picked up 52 percent of the vote to Atkins 47.8 percent.
District 41 represents Millsboro, Dagsboro, Frankford and Selbyville in Sussex County.
