- Gordon
- Clark
Tom Gordon won the Democratic nomination for New Castle County Executive over incumbent Paul Clark. With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Gordon had sizable lead, marking a remarkable comeback for a candidate who had been trounced in a previous bid for the office.
Another big story was the 11th District State Senate race pitting Senate President Anthony DeLuca and challenger Bryan Townsend. With nearly all precincts reporting in the district, Townsend had a commanding lead. The district inlcudes portions of Bear-Glasgow and Christiana.
DeLuca had been mired in controversy in recent years over his state job at the Delaware Department of Labor and criticism over his conduct as majority leader that included a decision to build an office not readily accessible to the press and public and holding up a bill extending free two-year tuition to Delaware State University.
In Sussex County, Ernesto Lopez won out over former Congressional candidate Glenn Urqhart to gain the Republican nomination in the 6th District. Andrew Staton easily won the nod from Democrats.
In New Castle County, the two Democrats were battling for the post that former County Council President Clark assumed when Chris Coons won a seat in the U.S. Senate. Earlier, Coons had scored a landslide win the race for county executive.
One tight race came for the post of state Insurance Commissioner with incumbent Karen Weldin Stewart holding a 1,000-vote lead over challenger Mitch Crane.
In Wilmington, former policeman Dennis Williams was headed to victory over a crowded five-candidate field in the Democratic primary race for mayor.
Gordon, a former county police chief, who presided over the county during a period with a strong economy, was able to trim a $100 million deficit by cutting some staff positions and making other moves. He went on to ramp up spending in other areas.
Gordon also pointed to the Unified Development Code, a massive document pushed through by his administration. While praised for providing a road map for development, it is also criticized for being too cumbersome and moving development into areas such as Middletown and neighboring counties.
Clark has also been able to avoid tax increases under his watch, but continues to battle allegations of close ties to developers from Gordon. Clark has struck back by reminding residents of the investigation into election practices by Gordon and his chief of staff Sherry Freebery. Gordon pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges.
Both candidates have spent heavily, with numerous phone calls and slick paper mailers filling up mailboxes of Democrats in the county.
