First Republican files for governor race
Lewes resident Jerry Price has put his name in the race for governor.
The 58-year-old is the first Republican to file for the office, and while he said he has spoken with party officials, he has not received their backing.
“There’s no commitment yet because there may be another candidate,” Price said. “But I’m hoping to be able to put my ideas out there.”
Price grew up on Long Island, N.Y., and joined the New York Police Department in 1985, working there for about 20 years before retiring. Working on Sept. 11, Price said he was used to seeing death on the streets of New York City, but the devastation at Ground Zero was another level.
“I wasn’t affected at the moment, but a couple hours of taking rock piles and concrete looking for people, then the reality set in. It was so massive it looked like the whole world had blown up,” he said. “I don’t like to watch anything with 9/11 on; I just don’t.”
Leaving New York with his wife, Patti, and two daughters, Price lived in Rehoboth Beach before moving to a Lewes-area home where they’ve been for 17 years.
“I looked at most of the East Coast and found Delaware to be perfect. Weather wise [it’s nice], the people are friendly, taxes are great, and my children got a good education at Cape,” he said.
Public safety ranks high on his list of issues. Price said there should be hundreds more police officers available for work in Neighborhood Stabilization units at various locations across the state as needed.
“There are too many drugs on the street, too many killings,” he said.
Health insurance is also too high, he said, and he would require medical providers accept all types of insurance, requiring the patient to only pay a co-payment amount.
On education, Price said, he would require that students who don’t plan to go to college be allowed to get workforce training for credit, such as working in an auto body shop, for an HVAC company or other type of skilled labor job.
Price said he would also develop a plan to create affordable housing for state workers, veterans and residents born in Delaware, which includes purchasing land and offering state-backed mortgages.
No other Republican has announced yet for the 2024 gubernatorial election. So far, Democrats Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long and New Castle County Executive Matt Myers have announced plans to run. Collin O’Mara, former Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control secretary, recently announced he was exploring a run for governor.
