The 2014 elections may have just been completed.
But for a number of politicians it’s onto 2016.
This week Ken Simpler became the first non-incumbent Republican to win statewide office in Delaware capturing the state Treasurer job by a 10 point margin over Sean Barney.
And, there’s already talk that he will make a run for the governorship two years from now.
Bob Byrd, the Dover lobbyist who represents Artesian and Dover Downs among other clients, told the Wilmington News Journal that he would be extremely surprised if Simpler did not run for governor.
Republicans have had a hard time capturing statewide office.
But Simpler did get a boost from one time governor and congressman Mike Castle who introduced him around the state.
Matt Denn
NEWARK, Del. (AP) - First, Matt Denn was insurance commissioner. Then he became lieutenant governor. Now, he's Delaware's attorney general.
Denn, currently the Democratic lieutenant governor, won election to a third statewide office Tuesday, expanding a political resume that already had him seen by many political observers as a potential gubernatorial candidate in 2016.
But a shot at a fourth potential statewide office will have to wait. For now, Denn is focusing on tackling the violent crime that has plagued Delaware, particularly its largest city, Wilmington, in recent years.
Denn's strategy for reducing violent crime includes increasing visible police patrols in high-crime areas and focusing on prosecuting gun crimes and crimes involving drug dealers. He also plans to work to ensure that violent criminals are not released while awaiting trial.
Democratic Supermajority Broken
Republicans have broken the super majority Democrats possessed in the Delaware state Senate.
With longtime Senator Robert Venables loss this week it brings the count down to 12 to 9.
Bryan Richardson the publisher of community newspapers in western Sussex won by around 700 votes or a 7 percent margin.
Meanwhile, in the Delaware House of Representatives Democrat John Atkins who represented the Millsboro area for over a decade lost to Republican rich Collins.
The GOP was able to pick up two seats in the House but still fell short of depriving Democrats of a supermajority in that body.
Two Vote Different in Kent County
If you don’t think your vote can count.
Think again.
In Kent County only two votes separate the candidates for Recorder out of nearly 40-thousand ballots cast.
Repbulican LaMar Gunn took the lead with 19,247 votes to Democrat Betty Lou McKenna with 19,245.
That’s just a two vote difference.
The Wilmington News Journal reports that it’s the tightest race anyone can recall.
The closeness of the race has triggered the automatic recount of absentee ballots as required by state law when there is a difference of one-half of 1 percent.
