Current:Home > ContactDemocrat Matt Meyer and Republican Michael Ramone square off in Delaware’s gubernatorial contest -Summit Capital Strategies
Democrat Matt Meyer and Republican Michael Ramone square off in Delaware’s gubernatorial contest
View
Date:2025-04-15 18:29:26
Follow live: Updates from AP’s coverage of the presidential election.
DOVER, Del. (AP) — Democrats are hoping to extend their decades-long hold on the Delaware governor’s office in Tuesday’s election, while the Republican candidate is hoping for an upset that would offset Democratic control of the state Legislature by putting a member of the opposite party in the state’s top executive office.
The contest pits Democrat Matt Meyer against the GOP’s Michael Ramone.
Meyer currently serves as chief executive of New Castle County, Delaware’s most populous county. Ramone is a businessman and entrepreneur who currently serves as House minority leader in the General Assembly.
Democrats control both chambers of the Legislature and have held the governor’s office since 1989.
Ramone has argued that Delawareans would be better served by restoring political balance to state government. Known for his willingness to work across party lines, he has won reelection several times in a district where Democrats heavily outnumber Republicans. His reputation for bipartisanship could help him appeal to moderate Democrats and unaffiliated voters, but he faces an uphill battle in solid-blue Delaware, where voter registration numbers favor Democrats.
Both Meyer and Ramone focused heavily on education during the gubernatorial campaign. Meyer, a former middle school math teacher, says his priorities include increased funding for public schools, particularly for low-income students, students with disabilities and English language learners. He also has called for universal prekindergarten and higher salaries for public school teachers.
Ramone supports performance-based incentives for Delaware teachers, expanded access to voucher programs and more money flowing to classrooms instead of school administration.
Ramone, who was elected to the state House in 2008, became the GOP gubernatorial nominee after winning 72% of the vote in a three-way GOP primary.
Meyer advanced to the general election contest against Ramone after defeating Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long and former state Environmental Secretary Collin O’Mara in a Democratic primary. Meyer, who took 47% of the vote, led all candidates in fundraising, but he also was helped by a scandal involving Hall-Long’s campaign finances and reports about her office staff being used for non-government work.
Outgoing Democratic Gov. John Carney, who is prohibited by law from seeking a third term, appeared poised to become mayor of Wilmington, Delaware’s largest city, after winning a September Democratic primary.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
veryGood! (7)
Related
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- New Zealand rugby star Connor Garden-Bachop dies at 25 after a medical event
- Hall of Famer Michael Irvin says wife Sandy suffers from early onset Alzheimer’s
- Psst! Sam Edelman Is Offering 50% Off Their Coveted Ballet Flats for Two Days Only
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- What’s known, and not known, about the partnership agreement signed by Russia and North Korea
- Gayle King Defends Justin Timberlake Following His DWI Arrest
- Two environmental protesters arrested after spraying Stonehenge with orange paint
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- East in grips of searing heat wave; even too hot for soft serve in Maine: Live updates
Ranking
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- NCAA presents options to expand March Madness tournaments from current 68 teams, AP source says
- Kevin Costner on his saga, Horizon, and a possible return to Yellowstone
- Oilers fever overtakes Edmonton as fans dream of a Stanley Cup comeback against Florida
- Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
- Alberto, hurricane season's first named storm, moves inland over Mexico
- What’s known, and not known, about the partnership agreement signed by Russia and North Korea
- How Willie Mays, the Say Hey Kid, inspired generations with his talent and exuberance, on and off the field
Recommendation
What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
Travis Scott arrested for disorderly intoxication and trespassing
Gigi Hadid Gives Rare Look Into Life at Home With Daughter Khai
Millions sweating it out as heat wave nears peak from Midwest to Maine
'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
Kevin Costner on his saga, Horizon, and a possible return to Yellowstone
Should I go into debt to fix up my home? High interest rates put owners in a bind
North Carolina Senate gives initial approval to legalizing medical marijuana