Politics of Delaware
Encyclopedia
Due to the state's small size (45th of 50 by population in 2006), the politics of Delaware
tend to be less convoluted and controversial than those in neighboring states. Nonetheless, Delaware's political status quo reflects the state's long history of political clout dating from the earliest days of the United States, some of which remains today.
(in the north) as well as a few of the more progressive beach towns (in the south) serve as exceptions to this general trend. Politicians of both major parties tend to vote consistently in favor of big business
, a very important sector of Delaware's economy.
Matters of perennial statewide debate tend to include taxation (which runs relatively low compared to other northeastern states); the needs and demands of Delaware's massive business community; education (Delaware's educational spending per student remains low); increasing stress on the environment; urban development and sprawl; the needs of an increasingly diverse population; large income disparities between wealthy and disadvantaged areas; and a perceived disconnect between the rural central and southern areas of the state and Wilmington and the urbanized corridor in the north, home to the bulk of the state's population.
changed between 2000 and 2008. Delaware's Primary is held "on the first Tuesday in February in the calendar year of a presidential election." In 2000, Delaware was the sole state to have a primary on February 1, while in 2004 it was one of five states with primaries on February 3. In the 2008 primaries, Delaware shared February 5 with 23 other states on "Super Tuesday (2008)", the largest group of simultaneous primary races in the history of the United States. Being alone and early in conducting a Primary is considered to increase the influence of a state disproportionately in determining who the contestants will be in the general presidential election
. Thus, the trend for Delaware's influence would seem to be downward in the face of a growing field of simultaneous primaries. However, a countervailing factor is the small margin of victory that recent elections have been determined by, which suggests that a candidate ignores small states such as Delaware at their potential peril.
Currently, Delaware's senators in the United States Senate
are Chris Coons and Thomas R. Carper
, both Democrats
. Delaware's sole representative in the United States House of Representatives
is John Carney
, a Democrat.
Delaware's Attorney General
is Beau Biden
, Vice President Biden's son. He is serving his first term after a close election in 2006, following a much-criticized campaign. Such elections are unusual for Delaware, where elections are seldom very competitive and often seem to be all but decided months in advance.
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
tend to be less convoluted and controversial than those in neighboring states. Nonetheless, Delaware's political status quo reflects the state's long history of political clout dating from the earliest days of the United States, some of which remains today.
Major Issues
Delaware residents as a group tend to vote toward the conservative side of moderate on fiscal and economic issues, and are more moderate on social issues. Social liberalism is generally concentrated in the northern part of the state, and conservatism is more prevalent in the less heavily populated central and southern regions. Some of the wealthiest neighborhoods around WilmingtonWilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley...
(in the north) as well as a few of the more progressive beach towns (in the south) serve as exceptions to this general trend. Politicians of both major parties tend to vote consistently in favor of big business
Big Business
Big business is a term used to describe large corporations, in either an individual or collective sense. The term first came into use in a symbolic sense subsequent to the American Civil War, particularly after 1880, in connection with the combination movement that began in American business at...
, a very important sector of Delaware's economy.
Matters of perennial statewide debate tend to include taxation (which runs relatively low compared to other northeastern states); the needs and demands of Delaware's massive business community; education (Delaware's educational spending per student remains low); increasing stress on the environment; urban development and sprawl; the needs of an increasingly diverse population; large income disparities between wealthy and disadvantaged areas; and a perceived disconnect between the rural central and southern areas of the state and Wilmington and the urbanized corridor in the north, home to the bulk of the state's population.
Holders of National Office
Delaware's situation with respect to the Presidential Primary ElectionUnited States presidential primary
The series of presidential primary elections and caucuses is one of the first steps in the process of electing the President of the United States of America. The primary elections are run by state and local governments, while caucuses are private events run by the political parties...
changed between 2000 and 2008. Delaware's Primary is held "on the first Tuesday in February in the calendar year of a presidential election." In 2000, Delaware was the sole state to have a primary on February 1, while in 2004 it was one of five states with primaries on February 3. In the 2008 primaries, Delaware shared February 5 with 23 other states on "Super Tuesday (2008)", the largest group of simultaneous primary races in the history of the United States. Being alone and early in conducting a Primary is considered to increase the influence of a state disproportionately in determining who the contestants will be in the general presidential election
United States presidential election
Elections for President and Vice President of the United States are indirect elections in which voters cast ballots for a slate of electors of the U.S. Electoral College, who in turn directly elect the President and Vice President...
. Thus, the trend for Delaware's influence would seem to be downward in the face of a growing field of simultaneous primaries. However, a countervailing factor is the small margin of victory that recent elections have been determined by, which suggests that a candidate ignores small states such as Delaware at their potential peril.
Currently, Delaware's senators in the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
are Chris Coons and Thomas R. Carper
Thomas R. Carper
Thomas Richard "Tom" Carper is the senior United States Senator from Delaware and a member of the Democratic Party. He was previously the 71st Governor of Delaware and a United States Representative....
, both Democrats
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. Delaware's sole representative in the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
is John Carney
John C. Carney, Jr.
John Charles Carney, Jr. is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Democratic Party. He was the 24th Lieutenant Governor of Delaware from 2001 to 2009...
, a Democrat.
Holders of Statewide Office
The current governor of Delaware is Jack Markell, a Democrat, and the former Treasurer of the state. Governor Markell is the first Jewish person to be elected governor of Delaware. Markell entered office in 2009, and is currently serving his first term.Delaware's Attorney General
Delaware Attorney General
The Attorney General of Delaware is a constitutional officer of the U.S. state of Delaware, and is the chief law officer and the head of the State Department of Justice.-Description of the office:...
is Beau Biden
Beau Biden
Joseph Robinette "Beau" Biden III is an American lawyer, Army JAG officer, and politician from Wilmington, Delaware. He serves as the Attorney General of Delaware and a Major in the Delaware Army National Guard...
, Vice President Biden's son. He is serving his first term after a close election in 2006, following a much-criticized campaign. Such elections are unusual for Delaware, where elections are seldom very competitive and often seem to be all but decided months in advance.