Women led the charge in Delaware's election night victories
Scott Goss
The election cycle that will send a record number of women to Congress produced a pink wave in Delaware.
An unprecedented number of women took top statewide elected posts while both seats in the Legislature that switched from red to blue were won by Democratic women.
Here's a breakdown of elected office in Delaware won by women this election cycle:
U.S. House – Lisa Blunt Rochester
The incumbent Democrat became the first woman, and first African American, elected to Congress from Delaware in 2016, setting an example for the rest of the winners on this list. On Tuesday, she proved that earlier victory was no fluke.
Attorney General – Kathy Jennings
Jennings led all non-federal office candidates in fundraising from wire to wire and became the state's first female top cop since Republican Jane Brady left office in 2005.
Auditor – Kathy McGuiness
The Rehoboth Beach commissioner became the first female auditor in Delaware history and the first Democrat to hold the office in decades.
Treasurer – Colleen Davis
The health care consultant knocked off the state's highest ranking Republican and a possible future candidate for governor to become the first female state treasurer since Velda Jones-Potter was appointed to the post in 2009.
State Senate District 3 – Elizabeth "Tizzy" Lockman
The education advocate did not face any competition Tuesday but will succeed retiring state Sen. Bobby Marshall of Wilmington based on her victory in the Democratic primary.
State Senate District 4 – Laura Sturgeon
A public school teacher and political newcomer, Sturgeon defeated incumbent Greg Lavelle, the second-highest ranking Republican in the state Senate and a major target for the Delaware Democratic Party.
State Senate District 10 – Stephanie Hansen
Hansen first won office in a 2017 special election and proved she could hold the seat this go-round by winning a decisive victory over Republican challenger Dr. Christine Metzing.
State Representative District 3 – Stephanie T. Bolden
The former Wilmington city councilwoman faced no opposition in the general election, winning a fifth term during the primary.
State Representative District 3 – Sherry Dorsey Walker
Like Lockman, the former Wilmington City Councilwoman faced no challenge in the general election but managed to keep a woman in the seat by winning the primary to succeed retiring Rep. Helene Keeley.
State Representative District 5 – Kendra Johnson
Another newcomer who won her seat in the primary, Johnson will succeed retiring state Rep. Melanie George Smith in Bear.
State Representative District 6 – Debra Heffernan
The incumbent Democrat who won paid family leave for state workers this year kept her seat by handily defeating Republican challenger James Olmstead.
State Representative District 12 – Krista Griffith
The former state prosecutor not only flipped a formerly red seat to blue but defeated the second-highest-ranking Republican in the House and the chamber's longest-serving member in Deborah Hudson.
State Representative District 15 – Valerie Longhurst
The second-highest ranking Democrat in the House made short work of her Libertarian opponent and will most likely open the new session by pushing to pass an Equal Rights Amendment to the state Constitution.
State Representative District 17 – Melissa Minor-Brown
A nursing educator for the Department of Correction, the Democrat won the Wilmington Manor seat previously held by retiring lawmaker Michael Mulrooney in the primary.
State Representative District 19 – Kim Williams
The woman who successfully led the charge to make Delaware the first state to outlaw underage marriage cruised to victory over her male Republican opponent.
State Representative District 32 – Andria Bennett
The Dover-area incumbent easily won victory despite being attacked for her vote in support of Roe v. Wade a year ago.
State Representative District 37 – Ruth Briggs King
The Georgetown resident never faced a challenge this election cycle but did become the last Republican woman in the House left standing.
Contact reporter Scott Goss at (302) 324-2281, sgoss@delawareonline.com or on Twitter @ScottGossDel.
DELAWARE POLITICS
Democrats hold onto Delaware Senate, pick up seat in House
Why the Delaware Legislature's quick, closed-door leadership votes matter
Think Delaware politics are getting worse? Here are 5 examples of some serious mudslinging