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Dems, GOP organizing for control of state Senate

Delaware Public Media

Anyone who thought election season in Delaware was over was sorely mistaken.

Democrats and Republicans are now fielding candidates to fill lieutenant governor-elect Bethany Hall-Long's state senate seat in the Middletown area.

 

With the GOP unseating Senate Pro Tem Patricia Blevins (D-Elsmere) last week, Hall-Long’s soon-to-be open chair will decide which party controls the senate. Democrats have held the majority there since the early ‘70s.

 

Neither party has chosen a candidate.

 

State Rep. Earl Jaques (D-Glasgow) is the most talked about choice for the Dems, while John Marino, who lost to Hall-Long by about 250 votes in 2014, could resurface for Republicans.

 

A GOP email says a special committee will interview potential candidates and make a recommendation to the New Castle County party chair Rick Carroll.

 

Democrats haven’t announced their plans, but historically, their respective district committee vote on a nominee.

 

Hall-Long won’t step down until she’s inaugurated, with a special election not expected until February or March.