Delaware special election results

[CARLHAYDEN]

This past tuesday a special election was held to fill a vacancy in the State Senate in district 19.

In 2006, the last election previously for the office, the Democrat nominee won 78.3% of the vote.

In this year's special election the Republican nominee (Joe Booth) won 63.0% of the vote while the Demcrat nominee (Polly Mervine) won 30.3% of the vote.

[Meeker]

In addition to the fact that trying to divine electoral relevance from summer special elections is a hopeless and foolish task, CARL failed to mention that 1) there wasn't a Republican nominee for the seat in 2006 and thus any sort of swing comparison is idiotic and 2) the original Democratic nominee in this race dropped out in early July and the replacement nominee had less than a month to campaign.

[Rowan]

But the Dem raised twice as much money and was the DAUGHTER of the guy that previously held the seat.

[CARLHAYDEN]

But the Dem raised twice as much money and was the DAUGHTER of the guy that previously held the seat.

Please don't confuse Meeker with facts.

[JohnnyLongtorso]

Thurman Adams was a DINO, and had held the seat for 3 or 4 decades. Polly Adams Mervine was a terrible candidate and shouldn't have gotten on the ballot at all. Also, the district went 54-46 McCain in 2008.

[Holmes]

As sad as his death was, Adams was an old blue dog to the core, and always held up good legislation via his desk drawer veto. His district was one that voted for McCain too, it's in Sussex county, which voted for McCain, and it's not a liberal Democratic bastion like Wilmington. I'm not stressing.

If you wanna prove that Delaware is leaving the Democrats or something, tell us when the Democrats lose a seat in New Castle.

[Lunar]

OBAMA YOU BETTAH WATCHASELF

[Meeker]

But the Dem raised twice as much money and was the DAUGHTER of the guy that previously held the seat.

Please don't confuse Meeker with facts.

You're an idiot, CARL. I pity you.

[Bono]

Thanks for this, no one had edited the wiki article yet.

[Mr.Phips]

The reason for this is that Democrats are stupidly deciding that they dont need to vote anymore after Obama's win.  This seems to happen every time a Democrat wins the White House.  Democratic voters get all fat and happy. 

[Brittain33]

Also, the district went 54-46 McCain in 2008.

[Rowan]

Okay, so it voted for Gore and Kerry too so whats your point. The fact that it is a Republican replacing a Democrat is the story.

[JohnnyLongtorso]

Okay, so it voted for Gore and Kerry too so whats your point. The fact that it is a Republican replacing a Democrat is the story.

Actually, it went 63-37 for Bush in 2004, but thanks for playing.

[Meeker]

Okay, so it voted for Gore and Kerry too so whats your point. The fact that it is a Republican replacing a Democrat is the story.

Actually, it went 63-37 for Bush in 2004, but thanks for playing.

LOL

[Rowan]

*facepalm*

EPIC FAIL on my part.

[minionofmidas]

But the Dem raised twice as much money and was the DAUGHTER of the guy that previously held the seat.

Please don't confuse Meeker with facts.

This past tuesday a special election was held to fill a vacancy in the State Senate in district 19.

In 2006, the last election previously for the office, the Democrat nominee won 78.3% of the vote.

CARL failed to mention that 1) there wasn't a Republican nominee for the seat in 2006 and thus any sort of swing comparison is idiotic

Okay CARL, that took some cheek even if we assume (just for the sake of argument) that you are stark barking insane.


Not saying this wasn't a bigger victory than expected or an encouraging sign to Delaware Republicans, of course. It presumably was.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

Perhaps the simple fact that Republicans are moving from "Special Election Defense" in these kinds of seats to "Special Election Offense" is noteworthy and a positive enough change for the party.

Then again, it's a state legislative seat in friggin' Delaware.

[Holmes]

In rural Delaware... but I wouldn't be surprised if Gore won the district.

[minionofmidas]

In rural Delaware... but I wouldn't be surprised if Gore won the district.

That county admittedly swung big against Democrats in 2004, but Gore lost it by 8 points, and (in 2004) the district was more Republican than the county average... so you would have cause to be.
Clinton '96 is possible (though a uniform swing across the county 96-04 would have him fall just short.)

[Verily]

Perhaps the simple fact that Republicans are moving from "Special Election Defense" in these kinds of seats to "Special Election Offense" is noteworthy and a positive enough change for the party.

Then again, it's a state legislative seat in friggin' Delaware.

This is a basic Dixiecrat seat of the sort that was still changing hands at the state level when the incumbent retired even in 2006. Republicans were (appropriately) on the offensive even in those seats. And honestly, Democrats should really be glad they're not winning the sort of voters who go along with such districts. They're an embarrassment.

[Landslide Lyndon]

Wasn't the guy who died the one who single handendly blocked any attempt by his colleagues to legalize gay marriage?

[Bono]

How many congressional districts held by democrats voted for McCain? It's not so meaningless as it seems.

[Verily]

How many congressional districts held by democrats voted for McCain? It's not so meaningless as it seems.

No one is going to deny that John Spratt or Ike Skelton's districts are likely to flip when they retire, die or run for higher office. That was true even in 2006. I don't see why that makes this meaningful.

[Holmes]

Wasn't the guy who died the one who single handendly blocked any attempt by his colleagues to legalize gay marriage?

No, but he did push a constitutional amendment a few months ago which didn't even get half the votes in the Senate, let alone the two thirds required.

He did block a bunch of non-discrimination bills during his time as senate president, but that passed right after he died... haha. Hmm.

[Brittain33]

How many congressional districts held by democrats voted for McCain? It's not so meaningless as it seems.

It's not completely meaningless, but it's very close to meaningless.

I am not stating that Obama's popularity and that of the Democrats' isn't slipping, but this particular election isn't a sign of it. People seem to be using it to confirm what they already think, which is a meaningless exercise.