Candidates file for primaries
Candidates who will be on primary ballots in September are now set, but there is still time for parties to place candidates on the ballot for the November election.
“The primaries are set,” said Ken McDowell, director of the Sussex County Department of Elections. “No one else can create a primary, but third parties still have until Sept. 4 to file for the November election.”
The major parties can also place candidates on the ballot for the November election, he said.
For the state Legislature, a Republican primary for the 35th Representative District will determine who will be on the GOP ballot for the seat left open by David Wilson, who is running for the 18th Senate District seat left open when Sen. Gary Simpson, R-Milford, decided not to run. Republicans Robert D. Mitchell and Jesse R. Venderwende are running in a primary. A Democrat or third party has not yet filed for the 35th District seat.
No opponent has filed against Wilson in the 18th Senate District race, either.
The same goes for other Sussex County legislators. Uncontested so far are representatives Ruth Briggs King, R-Georgetown, 37th District, Dan Short, R-Seaford, 39th District, and Tim Dukes, R-Laurel, 40th District.
A four-way primary race for Attorney General will be held Sept. 6 for Democrats Kathleen Jennings of Wilmington, Christofer Johnson of Wilmington, Timothy Mullaney Sr. of Dover and Lakresha Roberts of Wilmington. Republican Peggy Marshall Thomas of Harbeson will face the primary winner in November.
For Auditor of Accounts, a primary will pit Democrats Kathleen Ann Davies of Dover, Kathleen K. McGuiness of Rehoboth Beach and Dennis E. Williams of Wilmington against one another. The winner will face Republican James Spadola of Wilmington in November.
There is no primary for State Treasurer. Incumbent Ken Simpler of Newark will face Democratic challenger Colleen Davis of Dagsboro and Green Party candidate David B. Chandler in November.
For U.S. Senate, sitting Democrat Sen. Thomas Carper is facing Democratic challenger Kerri Evelyn Harris of Dover in a primary, and Republicans Robert Arlett of Selbyville, Roque de la Fuente, with no hometown listed, and Eugene Truono Jr. of Wilmington are vying to be the Republican candidate in November. Green Party candidate Demitri Theodoropoulos of Newark and Libertarian Nadine Frost of Wilmington are also running for U.S. Senate in November.
For Congress, Lee Murphy of Wilmington and Scott Walker of Milford are facing off in a Republican primary to challenge Democratic incumbent Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester.
Sussex candidates set for November election
For Sussex County, there are seven contested seats for the state Legislature with Democrat and Republican candidates. No third party candidates have filed, and they have until Sept. 4 to do so.
Contested state Senate seats for November are:
6th Senate District – Incumbent Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes, and Democrat challenger David B. Baker of Milton
21st Senate District – Incumbent Sen. Bryant L. Richardson, R-Seaford, and Democratic challenger Robert C. Wheatley of Laurel
Contested state representative seats for November are:
14th District – Incumbent Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth, and Republican challenger James L. Demartino
20th District – Incumbent Rep. Stephen Smyk, R-Milton, and Democratic challenger John D. Bucchioni of Milton
36th District – newcomers Democrat Donald M. Allan Jr. and Republican Bryan W. Shupe are vying for the seat left open by retiring Rep. Harvey Kenton, R-Milford.
38th District – Incumbent Rep. Ron Gray, R-Selbyville, and newcomer Democrat Meghan M. Kelly
41st District – Incumbent Richard G. Collins, R-Millsboro, and Democrat S. Bradley Connor of Dagsboro
Editor’s Note: The story has been updated with the correct primary date
