RACES-TO-WATCH 2016

Updated: Sept. 15, 2016

Updated with new registration figures: Nov. 2, 2016

STATEWIDE

Statewide registration: 48% Democratic, 28% Republican, 24% others

There are 131,000 more Democratic than Republican voters

 

Office Democrats Republicans Rundown
Governor

John Carney

Colin Bonini

After a Democratic run of Carper, Minner and Markell, it looks like the fourth time is still charm
U.S. House

Lisa Blunt Rochester

Hans Reigle

Womanpower
Lieutenant governor

Bethany Hall-Long

La Mar Gunn Two words. Carney's coattails
Insurance commissioner Trini Navarro Jeff Cragg In an open race for an unsung office, it is better to be the Democrat

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY

 

Current Senate: 12 Democrats, 9 Republicans (11 seats up)

Current House of Representatives: 25 Democrats, 16 Republicans (All 41 seats up)

 

TOP LEGISLATIVE RACES

District

Democrats

Republicans

Voters

Rundown

Senate 1st

Wilmington-Claymont

Harris McDowell

James Spadola

D:57%

R:20%

O:23%

The Republicans are banking on Millennials like Spadola, who was not even born when McDowell got to Dover 40 years ago, but registration, not generation, is likely to matter more

Senate 7th

Elsmere-Prices Corner

Patti Blevins

Anthony Delcollo

D:49%

R:23%

O:28%

The Republicans are being so nervy, they put up one of their Millennials against Blevins, the president pro tem

Senate 8th

Newark-Hockessin

Dave Sokola Meredith Chapman

D:40%

R:32%

O:28%

It makes sense for the Republicans to run a Millennial in a district that is home to the University of Delaware, where Chapman happens to work

Senate 14th

Lower New Castle-upper Kent counties

Bruce Ennis

Carl Pace

D:46%

R:28%

O:26%

Ennis is the oldest state senator at 77, so naturally the Republicans found a Millennial to take him on

House 9th

Port Penn-Odessa

Monique Johns

Kevin Hensley

D:42%

R:32%

O:26%

At a time of straight-ticket voting, it is worth keeping an eye on Hensley, running in a district Obama carried twice

House 22nd

Hockessin-Pike Creek Valley

Lanette Edwards

Joe Miro

D:36%

R:36%

O:28%

Miro has been winning since 1998, but the district, once resolutely Republican, has flipped to give the Democrats a 100-voter edge. Just saying

House 33rd

Milford-Bowers Beach

Karen Williams

Charles Postles

D:37%

R:36%

O:27%

In a race to replace Jack Peterman, the late Republican legislator, the Democrats are looking to capitalize on any hard feelings that might be left after a three-way Republican primary

Incumbents in bold

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