Delaware Democratic Party

Delaware Democratic Party
Chairperson Erik Raser-Schramm
Headquarters New Castle, DE
Ideology Modern liberalism
Third Way
National affiliation Democratic Party
Colors Blue
Seats in the Upper House
11 / 21
Seats in the Lower House
25 / 41
Website
www.deldems.org

The Delaware Democratic Party is the affiliate of the Democratic Party in the state of Delaware, headquartered in unincorporated New Castle County.

Erik Raser-Schramm is the state Chair. The Delaware Democratic Party is one of the two biggest parties in the state of Delaware (the other being the Republican Party) and has existed since the Jacksonian Democrats broke away from the Federalists in 1825. Besides their most prominent current political figure, former Vice President Joe Biden, the party occupies all federal seats for the state in Congress and currently has majority control over the state legislative and executive branch.

History of the party

Party creation

As the first state of the United States, Delaware was at the forefront of the creation in U.S. political parties. The origins of the Delaware Democratic Party can be traced back to the original anti-federalist party. While key difference divide this part from the Democratic Party today, key issues involving government involvement and ideologies such as Jeffersonian and Jacksonian can be linked to modern day ideals of the Delaware Democratic party.[1] Yet, despite being one of the first states with true parties, the spiritual predecessor of the Democratic party struggled to support its agenda in the state. It wasn't until the splitting of parties into federalists and Jacksonians that the Democratic party got its first true start. With only one bad loss in 1855 to the American Party, the Democratic Party dominated politics up until the end of Reconstruction in the United States.[1] Most fascinating of all, was how the party maintained its popularity during the Civil War. Despite being a northern state, Delaware Democrats opposed the abolition of slavery and named themselves "the white man's party" as they fought the Republican congress during Reconstruction.[1] With 36 years of election dominance, the Democrats eventually fell out of power due to one major factor, the growth of industry in the state.

An era of weakness

Following the ousting of the Democrats in both the federal and state sector, the Republican party remained the dominate party throughout the early 1900s and up until World War II. Even when John Addicks attempted to illegally purchase the Republican seat in the U.S. Senate, the Democrats were unable to capitalize. To emphasize just how far the party had fallen, the seat that Addicks attempted to take lay vacant for four consecutive terms with the Democrats unable to take it despite the clear corrupt actions of the Republican candidate Addicks.[1] From 1897 to 1936, Delaware Democrats were irrelevant in politics with Republicans either dominating the state senate and house of Representatives or the Democrats completely absent from federal politics. With the power of industry overriding agriculture, the Democratic Party was not be able to regain an equal footing in the state until Franklin D. Roosevelt came into office.

Trading time with the Republicans

Following its period of weakness, the Democratic Party of Delaware began to regain an equal foothold with its Republican Rival following World War II. While evidence Republican domination could be still be see in the form of J. Caleb Boggs and John J. Williams, the third member of this "Big Three" was a Democrat named Elbert Carvel. Carvel served two terms as the governor of the state and helped keep his party relevant even when they did not control the state.[1] Despite what occurred in the past, The Democrats of the late 1970s to 2000 held an equal footing in the state, neither party gaining serious ground on the other. Democrats would end up holding the Governor position in the state for 30 years in comparison to their counterparts possession of the position for 29.[1] Even after the Republicans had held the office of the Governor more than 20 years, the Democrats simply took it back and continue to occupy it to this day.

Recent glory

In the past few years, the Democratic Party has risen to become the most popular party in the state of Delaware. The party has control at the state level over the Executive branch and the Legislative branch.

Platform

The Delaware Democratic Party basis of its platform on the policy of inclusiveness and using this policy to help strengthen and assist the citizens it is tasked to govern.[2]

  • Families: The Delaware Democratic Party believes that there are many types of families in the world and that all of them should be supported. No matter what a family looks like, the party believe that diverse families make up the backbone of American society. With policies supporting social security, women's choice, reduction of poverty, and improved health care, the Democratic party of Delaware hopes to strength family units that make up society.[2]
  • Education: For the Delaware Democratic Party, all children are entitled to a good public education and enrollment to college if they choose to pursue it. The party seeks to make education affordable for everyone, improve the system damaged by No Child Left Behind, and expanding education opportunities.[2]
  • Environment: As a members of the United States, the Delaware Democratic Party supports the use of clean energy and promotes the usage of green methods to improve the environment. Options such as offering incentives to those who utilize green methods, supporting energy transition from fossil fuels to alternative fuels, and increasing public transportation are just some of the things that the Delaware Democrats support.[2]
  • Economy: In pursuing economic interests, the Delaware Democrats believe the most vital aspect is strong leadership. Democrats for this state support increased leadership for their state in the federal realm, account leaders in their state, and developing ways for incorporating new technology and ideologies in their government and economic system.[2]
  • Organized labor: In support of those employed in Delaware, the party seeks to enact policies such as a living wages, enforce fair collective bargaining agreements, and require employers to provide insurance for their employees.[2]
  • Safety and emergency preparedness: The Democratic Party of Delaware believes that one of the main responsibilities of government is protecting its citizens. The party pledges to serve its citizens in office by focusing on crime prevention, allocating resources to prevent disasters and speed up recovery, and make sure that the state is prepared to deal with emergencies and prevent social injustices.[2]
  • Military and veteran services: As one of the vital cogs of America, the Delaware Democrats support programs and opportunities that assist those who serve or have served in the military. The party believes in keeping the Dover airbase open, ensure adequate funds for veterans, and supporting the families of those who fight on behalf of the United States.[2]
  • Civil rights: The party's stance on civil rights is a position in support of diversity and against all forms of discrimination. The Democratic Party of Delaware wants equality in the workplace, larger penalties for hate crimes, and relationship recognition regardless of orientation.[2]

Elected officials

Federal executive

Former Vice President and former Delaware Senator Joe Biden
Governor of Delaware John Carney

In the 2008 U.S. Presidential election, Senator Joe Biden was elected Vice President of the United States alongside Illinois Senator Barack Obama, who was elected President of the United States. Biden is the first Delawarean to run on a presidential ticket, and the first Delawarean to be elected and hold the office. Biden assumed the Vice Presidency on January 20, 2009 and served until January 20, 2017.

  • Vice President of the United States: Joe Biden

Statewide officers

Executive branch

Since 2017, Democrats control four of the six statewide elected offices.

State Senate

In 2017, Democrats control 11 of the statewide elected offices.[3] State Senators must be citizens of the United State and have resided in Delaware for three years. Candidates must also have been a resident of their respective district for at least one year preceding their election. The age requirement to run for this elected seat is 27 years old.

  • 1st Senate District: Harris McDowell III
  • 2nd Senate District: Margaret Henry
  • 3rd Senate District: Robert Marshall'
  • 8th Senate District: David Sokola
  • 9th Senate District: Karen Peterson
  • 10th Senate District: Stephanie Hansen
  • 11th Senate District: Bryan Townsend
  • 12th Senate District: 'Nicole Poore'
  • 13th Senate District: David McBride
  • 14th Senate District: Bruce Enis
  • 17th Senate District: Brian Bushweller

Current makeup of Delaware State Senate

District Name Party First Elected Residence Seat up
1 Harris McDowell III Dem 1976 North Wilmington 2014
2 Margaret Henry Dem 1994 East Wilmington 2012
3 Robert Marshall Dem 1978 West Wilmington 2012
4 Michael Katz Dem 2008 Centerville 2012
5 Catherine Cloutier Rep 2000 Heatherbrooke 2014
6 Liane Sorenson Rep 1995 Hockessin 2012
7 Anthony Delcollo Rep 2016 Elsmere 2018
8 Bryan Townsend Dem 2012 Newark 2014
9 Karen Peterson Dem 2002 Stanton 2014
10 Stephanie Hansen Dem 2017 Middletown 2018
11 Anthony J. DeLuca Dem 1998 Varlano 2012
12 Dorinda Connor Rep 1997 Penn Acres 2014
13 David McBride Dem 1980 Hawk's Nest 2014
14 Bruce Ennis Dem 2007 Clayton 2014
15 David Lawson Rep 2010 2014
16 Colin R. J. Bonini Rep 1994 South Dover 2012
17 Brian Bushweller Dem 2008 North Dover 2012
18 F. Gary Simpson Rep 1999 Milford 2012
19 Joseph W. Booth Rep 2009 Georgetown 2014
20 George Bunting, Jr. Dem 1996 Bethany Beach 2014
21 Robert Venables, Sr. Dem 1988 Laurel 2012

State House of Representatives

In 2011, Democrats control 26 of the 41 statewide elected offices.[4] Any candidate running for the House of Representatives must have lived in Delaware for three years and be a U.S. citizen. The candidate must also live in the district at least one year prior to running for office and be at least 24 years of age.

  • 1st Representative District: Dennis Williams
  • 2nd Representative District: Stephanie Bolden
  • 3rd Representative District: Helene Keeley
  • 4th Representative District: Gerald Brady
  • 5th Representative District: Melanie George
  • 6th Representative District: Debra Heffernan
  • 7th Representative District: Bryon Short
  • 8th Representative District: S. Quinton Johnson
  • 9th Representative District: Rebecca Walker
  • 10th Representative District: Dennis Williams
  • 13th Representative District: John Mitchell Jr.
  • 14th Representative District: Peter Schwartzkopf
  • 15th Representative District: Valerie Longhurst
  • 16th Representative District: James Johnson
  • 17th Representative District: Michael Mulrooney
  • 18th Representative District: Michael Barbieri
  • 19th Representative District: Robert Gilligan
  • 23rd Representative District: Teresa Schooley
  • 24th Representative District: Edward Osienski
  • 25th Representative District: John Kowalko, Jr.
  • 26th Representative District: John Viola
  • 27th Representative District: Earl Jaques, Jr.
  • 28th Representative District: William Carson, Jr.
  • 31st Representative District: Darryl Scott
  • 32nd Representative District: E. Bradford Bennett
  • 41st Representative District: John Atkins

Current make-up of Delaware House of Representatives

District Name Party First Elected Residence
1Dennis WilliamsDem1996Wilmington North
2Stephanie BoldenDem2010
3Helene KeeleyDem1996Wilmington South
4Gerald BradyDem2006Wilmington West
5Melanie GeorgeDem2002Bear/Newark
6Debra HeffernanDem2010
7Bryon ShortDem2007
8S. Quinton JohnsonDem2008Middletown
9Rebecca WalkerDem2010
10Dennis WilliamsDem2008Talleyville
11Gregory LavelleRep2000Sharpley
12Deborah HudsonRep2000Fairthorne
13John Mitchell Jr.Dem2006Elsmere
14Peter SchwartzkopfDem2002Rehoboth
15Valerie LonghurstDem2004Bear
16James JohnsonDem2002Jefferson Farms
17Michael MulrooneyDem1998Pennwood
18Michael BarbieriDem2008Newark
19Robert GilliganDem1972Sherwood Park
20Nick T. ManolakosRep2006Limestone Hills
21Michael RamoneRep2008Drummond Hill
22Joseph MiroRep1998Pike Creek Valley
23Teresa SchooleyDem2004Newark
24Edward OsienskiDem2010
25John Kowalko, Jr.Dem2006Newark South
26John ViolaDem1998Newark
27Earl Jaques, Jr.Dem2008Glasgow
28William Carson, Jr.Dem2008Smyrna
29Lincoln WillisRep2010
30William OuttenRep2004Harrington
31Darryl ScottDem2008Dover
32E. Bradford BennettDem2008Dover
33Harold PetermanRep2010
34Donald BlakeyRep2006
35David WilsonRep2008Bridgeville
36Harvey KentonRep2010
37Ruth Briggs KingRep2009Georgetown/Lewes
38Gerald HockerRep2002Ocean View
39Daniel ShortRep2006Seaford
40Clifford "Biff" LeeRep2000Laurel
41John AtkinsDem2008
(2003–2006)		Millsboro

Federal officers in the 115th United States Congress

U.S. Senate

Senior Delaware Senator Tom Carper (left), Junior Delaware Senator Chris Coons (center) and incumbent Delaware Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (right).

Democrats control both of Delaware's U.S. Senate seats:

U.S. House of Representatives

Democrats control Delaware's lone seat in the U.S. House:

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Boyer, William and Edward C. Ratledge. Delaware Politics and Government. Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Party Platform, Delaware Democratic Party, http://www.deldems.org/about-us/platform/, accessed December 4th, 2011
  3. ↑ Delaware State Senate Home,http://legis.delaware.gov/Legislature.nsf/Lookup/SenateHome?open&nav=senate, Accessed November 15th, 2011
  4. ↑ Delaware House of Representatives,http://legis.delaware.gov/Legislature.nsf/Lookup/House_Home?open&nav=house, accessed November 15, 2011
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