By HOY en Delaware
Voters headed to the polls with their minds on their wallets and on immigration
On the night of November 3, at the Republican Party headquarters in northern Delaware, the focus was on the increase in voter turnout, without venturing any predictions on the outcome, let alone discussing the projections that had been circulating in the days prior. Meanwhile, at the Democratic headquarters, there was a sense of optimism and an atmosphere of victory.
Below, you can see the atmosphere that prevailed early in the evening at the Democratic “headquarters” in Delaware, just as the polls closed in the “First State” and the vote count began.
Delaware mirrored what took place nationwide
Democrats maintained their dominance in statewide electoral contests in Delaware.
Here are the results of the races in the “First State”:
U.S. Senate: Incumbent Democratic Senator Chris Coons, now serving his third term, easily defeated Republican Mike Katz.
U.S. House of Representatives: Democratic Representative Sarah McBride retained her seat in Congress after defeating Republican candidate Joseph Arminio.
State Treasurer: Democrat Ted Lauzen defeated Republican Mike Ramone in the race for State Treasurer.
Attorney General: Incumbent Democratic Attorney General Kathy Jennings secured a third term after comfortably defeating Republican David Graham.
Democrats secured a two-thirds majority in the state House of Representatives after flipping three seats previously held by Republicans (in Camden, Long Neck, and Middletown) and retaining a seat in the Milton area, a district that, in previous years, had been decided by a margin of fewer than 150 votes.
Within the Delaware Democratic Party, the progressive wing –which had already successfully positioned many of its candidates during the primaries– emerged victorious.
Newly elected representatives include Democrats Michelle Booker (D-2), Branden Fletcher-Domínguez (D-3), Gregg Lindner (D-4), Ayanna Khan-Flowers (D-9), Pamela Salaam (D-16), Dave Redslawsk (D-23), Tyeisha Grier (D-28), and Annie Norman (D-34), as well as Republicans Morgan Hudson (D-33) and Carlie Carey (D-3).
The Democratic majority in the House of Representatives now complements their existing majority in the Senate, which will allow Democrats to amend the state Constitution without the need for Republican support. Delaware Republicans reclaimed one seat in the House of Representatives (in Millsboro) and another in the Senate (in western Kent County).
María Cabrera, the first Latina member of the Wilmington City Council, shared her assessment of the election results –both in Delaware and nationwide– ith HOY en Delaware. You can watch it below
Democrats also pursued –and achieved– a “supermajority” at the national level
These elections determined the occupants of all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 seats in the Senate.
Additionally, gubernatorial elections were held in 36 states. As opinion polls had anticipated, the Democrats regained control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives nationwide.
High voter turnout during the early voting period suggested an increase in several states that could prove decisive for control of the Senate.
The University of Florida Election Lab’s early-vote tracker confirmed this surge, with more than 59 million Americans casting their ballots before November 3. While the increase was not uniform across the country, an AP analysis revealed significant growth in early voting in certain states compared to 2022 (Kansas saw its figures double, while Maine, North Carolina, and Ohio experienced increases of over 30%. Michigan and Georgia maintained levels of early voting consistent with previous midterm elections, whereas Iowa saw a 6% decline compared to those same contests).
The Senate races were highly competitive in states including Maine, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, Kansas, Texas, and Alaska. Republicans held a majority of 53 seats to the Democrats’ 47; the Democratic opposition needed to flip four seats.
In Texas, the victory of Democrat James Talarico over Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton (competing for the seat held by John Cornyn) marked the first time in 30 years that a Democrat has won a statewide election in Texas. Democrat Gina Hinojosa unseated Republican Governor Greg Abbott, and Democrat Bobby Pulido defeated Republican Mónica de la Cruz.
In Kansas, Democratic Methodist pastor Adam Hamilton won a Senate seat for the first time in a century, and in California, Xavier Becerra became the state’s first Hispanic governor since 1875.
What controlling a chamber entails
Whoever controls a chamber gains greater leverage to advance legislation, negotiate the federal budget, oversee White House decisions, and either support or block the administration’s priorities, thereby influencing debates on immigration, employment, taxes, healthcare, education, and social programs.
Hispanic participation
While the Hispanic vote helped secure Trump’s presidency in 2024, two years later, these same voters cast their ballots with a focus on the economy and a rejection of aggressive immigration policies and racial profiling a shift that has tipped the scales against the party in power.
Overall, the figures reflected strong civic engagement in an election that has resulted in a shift in the balance of power within Congress.
Beyond the Election: Delaware’s “Return Day”
Returning to the “First State” and its unique character: Georgetown, the seat of Sussex County in southern Delaware, will host a parade of state-level winners and losers this Thursday, November 5, for “Return Day.” This Delaware tradition, dating back over 200 years, brings together residents, candidates (both victorious and defeated), and various state and local leaders.
Together, they commemorate a custom once practiced by the people of Sussex County, who would travel to Georgetown to cast their votes and then return two days later to hear the election results read aloud in public.
In addition to the parade and a traditional ox roast featuring free sandwiches the event includes a “burying of the hatchet” ceremony. Performed by leaders from the Democratic, Republican, and Independent parties, this act symbolizes a collective move forward, leaving the electoral contest behind by burying a hatchet in a box of sand.
Therefore, the public can expect to see some of the key figures from hard-fought Delaware contests appearing together such as Democrat Annie Norman, who defeated Republican Lyndon Yearick in District 34 (Camden-Wyoming); Democrat Gregg Lindner, who won in the 4th House District (Long Neck) against Dan Zitofsky; and Ayanna Khan–Flowers, who prevailed in District 9 (Middletown, Odessa, and Townsend) over her Republican opponent, Jamar Money.
Also expected to be present are the contenders from the 20th House District (Milton and Lewes): Democrat Alonna Berry, who retained her seat by defeating former Georgetown city manager Gene Dvornik.
Certainly, there will also be Republican John Atkins, who reclaimed his House seat (District 41) by defeating Ryan Stuckey; Republican Emily Thompson (a newcomer to the political arena) who won in the Marydel area against Nisha Lodhavia; and Mike Smith, the Republican from Pike Creek, who was re-elected after defeating Democrat Alex Green.
This ceremony, with origins dating back to the late 18th century, places Georgetown, and the state of Delaware, at the center of national and international attention every two years, occasionally featuring prominent, nationally recognized politicians.
