Tizzy Lockman beats Hines, will replace Sen. Marshall

Tizzy Lockman beat Jordan Hines in one of Wilmington's most closely watched legislative races. 

Lockman will replace longtime state Sen. Robert Marshall, who held the seat for 40 years, and will represent a district that covers much of Wilmington — from the east side to the west, including downtown and the Riverfront.

Lockman garnered 2,143 votes, about 56 percent. Hines got 1,660.

Without a Republican challenger in November, Lockman is set to take office in January. 

Both candidates were political novices supported by different political groups.

Lockman, a 38-year-old advocacy director at the Christina Cultural Arts Center, was backed by many of the people whose grassroots efforts almost made Eugene Young mayor of Wilmington in 2016. Sen. Margaret Rose Henry and Marshall both backed Lockman. 

Hines, a former legislative analyst for Wilmington City Council, enjoyed endorsements from the area's political power players including former City Councilman Norman Oliver and Fred Sears, former president and CEO the Delaware Community Foundation.

Hines, 27, also received hundreds of dollars in campaign contributions from Wilmington's largest developers, Rob and Chris Buccini of the Buccini/Pollin Group. 

Lockman outraised her opponent by about $30,000 — she brought in $49,798 and he collected $28,877, according to campaign finance reports. 

The race got contentious this summer after Hines declined to participate in a Democratic Party-sponsored debate with Lockman because the chairwoman of the Democratic City Committee had personally supported Lockman's campaign. 

The opponents ultimately participated in a debate over Facebook Live. 

Contact Christina Jedra at cjedra@delawareonline.com, (302) 324-2837 or on Twitter @ChristinaJedra.

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