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Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democrats win Delaware senate seats after Saturday's special elections
Democrats swept Delaware's special Senate elections Saturday, with Dan Cruce winning a landslide victory in District 1 and Ray Seigfried claiming the District 5 seat in races to replace two recently departed state senators. The special election, held on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025 to fill seats vacated by U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride and Lt. Gov. Kyle Evans Gay, drew voters to the polls in both District 1 and District 5. Cruce, the chief operating officer of United Way of Delaware, brings extensive experience in public policy and education to his new role representing Claymont. During his campaign, Cruce pledged to direct his attention on "the economy, education and engagement," including pushing for universal pre-K education. Cruce competed with other political newcomers Republican Steven Washington, a former teacher in the Brandywine School District and former Wilmington Housing Authority commissioner, and non-partisan Riley Figliola. Washington emphasized education, while Figliola's platform prioritized enriching social programs, meeting community needs and ensuring businesses prioritized Delawareans' best interests. These are Senate District 1 unofficial results, according to Delaware Department of Elections: Dan Cruce (D) - 3,654 votes Steven Washington (R) - 990 votes Riley "Liv" Figliola (NP) - 88 votes Write-in Totals - 10 votes In District 5, Ray Seigfried emerged victorious, drawing on his experience in state politics and health care. The former senior vice president of Christiana Care and one-term state representative campaigned on promises to enhance early childhood education and school funding, while also providing further support to small businesses and increasing "truth and transparency" across the state. Republican Brent Burdge, a former DuPont supply chain manager, campaigned on improving public safety, promoting tax relief and job growth, supporting teachers and students, and bringing more local focus to Delaware's needs. Delaware Department of Elections posted these unofficial District 5 results: Ray Seigfried (D) - 3,780 votes Brent Burdge (R) - 2,015 votes Write-in Totals - 16 votes You can contact Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Democrats win two Delaware senate seats in special election
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Who's on the ticket for Delaware's special elections? Meet the candidates
For many Delawareans, election season has been over for months. But for those living in parts of Wilmington and Claymont, another election is around the corner. Senate seats vacated by U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride and Lt. Gov. Kyle Evans Gay are up for grabs this month. More: State Sens. Sarah McBride and Kyle Evans Gay have new jobs. What happens to their seats? Here's who's in the running for seats in the state Senate. Current Chief Operating Officer of United Way of Delaware Dan Cruce said he is 'not different' from his fellow candidates, but 'experienced.' With a background spanning public policy and education, Cruce believes his 'unique skillset' will serve him well in the state Senate. If elected, Cruce intends to direct his attention on 'the economy, education and engagement,' including pushing for universal pre-K education. Cruce said he also plans to help 'bring coalitions together' to address issues affecting Wilmington. 'This role represents them [the people],' Cruce said. Steve Washington describes himself as 'a local leader with local solutions.' A 'born and raised' Wilmington resident, Washington's previous experiences include working as a teacher at the Brandywine School District, founding the HBCU Delaware Coalition Inc. and serving as commissioner for the Wilmington Housing Authority. Seeing the need for much-needed change across the district, if elected, Washington intends to prioritize education – which he calls 'the apex of the triangle' – as well as affordable housing and prison reform. With this focus, Washington aims to make lasting, positive change with the best interests of Delawareans in mind. 'Let's dare to be different,' he said. Riley Figliola never envisioned she'd run for office. While she had been politically active for most of her life, the Delaware native never intended to become a politician, but instead 'a good citizen.' 'It was this previous election that was my final motivation,' she said. Figliola's platform includes focusing on enriching social programs, meeting the basic needs of fellow community members and ensuring businesses are working in the best interests of Delawareans. In other words, she explains, she would like to establish 'a new Delaware Way.' 'I think everyone deserves better,' she said. Ray Seigfried hopes to bring his experience in state politics and healthcare to Legislative Hall. Before entering state politics, Seigfried previously worked in the healthcare field, serving as the senior vice president of Christiana Care. First elected to the state House of Representatives in 2018, Seigfried served as the vice chair of the House Health and Human Development Committee. A one-term representative, Seigfried lost the Democratic primary election to long-time community leader Larry Lambert, a Democrat who has represented Claymont since 2020. (Lambert previously lost to Seigfried in the primaries two years before.) In addition to healthcare, Seigfried intends to enhance early childhood education and school funding, providing further support to small businesses and increasing 'truth and transparency' across the state. In his own words, Brent Burdge was the type who 'tended to operate behind the scenes.' For a little over a decade, the former DuPont supply chain manager had been following political activity in the state capital and eventually began to provide his fellow community members updates on what was happening in Legislative Hall. But that changed in 2022 when he decided to throw his hat into the ring, facing off against then-Rep. Sean Matthews. Despite losing to Matthews – and then losing to current state House Rep. Melanie Ross-Levin this past general election – Burdge said that these experiences helped propel him forward. 'I got my taste of campaigning and began to get myself more visible in the general community,' he said. If elected, Burdge intends to strengthen public safety, prioritize tax relief and job growth and provide further support to teachers and students across the First State. Burdge also plans to help bring 'a better local focus' on the people of Delaware, as well as work and adapt to meet his constituents' needs amid ongoing change. The special elections for both vacancies will be held on Saturday, Feb. 15 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to the Delaware Department of Elections. Early voting for both elections started Tuesday, Feb. 4. The Claymont Community Center and the Police Athletic League of Wilmington will be early voting sites. The last day to register to vote in the special elections is Wednesday, Feb. 5. Additional information can be found on the state Department of Elections website. Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. If you have a tip or a story idea, reach out to her at omontes@ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Who is running in the Delaware Senate special elections?
