CQ Politics

CQ 2008 Election Guide

Race to Watch

Delaware, Governor

2008: Jack Markell (D) vs. Bill Lee (R)

Vote for winner in 2004: 51 percent

Markell, the state Treasurer, narrowly defeated Lt. Gov. John Carney in a Sept. 9 primary election that came just eight weeks before the Nov. 4 election. That might have seriously complicated Markell ’ s quest for the governorship if Delaware were not a decidedly Democratic-leaning state or if Barack Obama hadn ’ t selected Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. as his running mate. But Markell, a former telecommunications executive who used his personal wealth in the primary election, is strongly favored against Lee, a former state judge who was the losing Republican nominee for governor in 2004 against Minner.

Race Information

Incumbent: Ruth Ann Minner, D
First Elected: 2000 (2nd term)
Incumbent Status: Term limited; cannot run again
Challengers: Jack Markell, D; William Lee, R; Jeffrey Brown, BLU
Race Forecast: Safe Democrat

State Information

U.S. Senate Delegation: 3 Democrats
U.S. House Delegation: 1 Republican

Senators: Sen. Thomas R. Carper, D; First Elected: 2000 (2nd term); Last Elected: 2006 (67.13%); Sen. Ted Kaufman, D; First Appointed: 2009; Appointed by Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, D, to succeed Joseph R. Biden Jr., D, who was elected vice president

State Offices: State House Control: Republican; State Senate Control: Democratic

Demographics (2000 census): Population (2005): 843,524; Under 18: 24.8%; Over 65: 13.0%; Non-Hispanic White: 72.5%; Black: 18.9%; Hispanic: 4.8%; Asian: 2.1%; American Indian: 0.3%; Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.0%; Median Household Income: 47,381; Median Household Income Rank: 9

State Election History
Year	Election	Candidate	Votes	Percent
2008	general	Jack Markell (D)	266,861	67.5%
		William Lee (R)	126,662	32%
		Jeffrey Brown (BLU)	1,681	0.4%

2004	general	Ruth Ann Minner (D)	185,687	50.9%
		William Lee (R)	167,115	45.8%
		Frank Infante (LIBERT, INDC)	12,206	3.3%

2000	general	Ruth Ann Minner (D)	191,695	59.2%
		John Burris (R)	128,603	39.8%
		Floyd McDowell (IP)	3,271	1%

1996	general	Thomas R. Carper (D)	188,300	69.5%
1996	general	Janet C. Rzewnicki (R)	82,654	30.5%

1992	general	Thomas R. Carper (D)	179,365	64.7%
		B. Gary Scott (R)	90,725	32.8%
		Floyd E. McDowell Sr. (ADEP)	3,779	1.4%
		Richard A. Cohen (LIBERT)	3,165	1.1%

Vote For President
Year	Democrat	Republican
2004	John Kerry: 53%	George W. Bush: 46%
2000	Al Gore: 55%	George W. Bush: 42%
1996	Bill Clinton: 52%	Robert Dole: 37%
1992	Bill Clinton: 44%	George H. W. Bush: 35%