19th SD Special Election Results–Apparently Booth Wins.
The Unofficial Official Department of Elections Results page is here. If you were downstate today working the election or if you live in the district, let us know your predictions and feelings on the election. My feelings are well known: I vote NONE OF THE ABOVE. But I do predict that Booth will win the election when all is said and done.
0 of 16 Districts Reporting
POLLY ADAMS MERVINE (D) 2,083 30.3%
X-JOSEPH W. BOOTH (R) 4,335 62.9%
MATTHEW A. OPALISKI (I-R) 408 0.06%
GWENDOLYN M. JONES (L) 56 0.01%
Source: The Sussex Countian.
Update at 8:10: no results yet.
Update at 8:30: alright, I am really starting to get pissed at Dept. of Elections. On Election Night 2008, they never updated the website, leaving a lot of citizens in the dark about the results that evening. Luckily I was at the Dem Headquarters at the Doubletree and was able to get the results despite their incompetence. 16 Districts! A low turnout election. How long does it take to start updating the site?
Update at 8:35: You can also check for results and reaction at the Sussex Countian.
Update at 9:04: Apparently Booth has won, but we have no idea how many votes he actually received. There is no information anywhere on the web (Dept.Elections, TNJ, Sussex Countian, WGMD, or WDEL) as to who actually won the race. This is a MONUMENTAL FAILURE for the Department of Elections. I expect resignations tomorrow, and if they are too cowardly to resign, then I expect Markell to fire them.
Update at 9:16: News Journal calls it for Booth, albeit with no bothering details like actual vote totals or percentages. Perhaps this is just the Sussex County way. “We don’t need no counting of votes. That is not how we do it down here in good ole’ Sussex.”
Update at 9:23: I will update this post when actual votes come in. Otherwise, check out my thoughts on the election results (or lack thereof) here.
An election on a Monday in August. It will be all about who got their voters to the polls. I know folks around here are not enamoured with our candidate but she is probably the right choice for that district. From what I heard on the phones today they like her. I just hope they went and voted for her.
One and done. These special elections are getting to be a royal pain. If Booth wins we’ve got to do it all over again.
Gotta disagree with ya Rebecca. I would prefer that a conservative Republican win than a conservative Democrat.
‘Bulo, who has a 100% wrong record in predicting Sussex County results, predicts Booth 56%, Mervine 42%, the two minor party candidates split 4%.
Nah, I highly doubt any of the candidates break 40%.
My prediction:
Booth 39%
Opaliski 30%
Mervine 20%
Jones 11%
I agree with delaware Dem – if a conservative wins, at least let it be a Republican.
My polling place was busy. I think Adams will win here where I am (/35) and Booth will take Georgetown. A lot of Miltonians will also vote Adams – so I think she has a good chance to take this one.
I am trending with DD, hoping Wendy breaks 15%. I think Booth/Opaliski will be close.
I agree w/ DelDem too.
I do think Polly will close that gap.
All high 20’s, Wendy mid teens, Booth, Opaliski neck and neck.
My off the cuff:
Booth 36
Mervine 28
Opaliski 22
Jones 14
I think there are 9 Senate Dems up in 2010. If Booth should win and it is one less Dem counting toward the majority. I would rather have the majority with a conservative Dem than have all the Democrats sitting upstairs at Legislative Hall.
I think Vermin Junior about 40ish
Booth about 40ish
O and J about 7 each –
the rest write-ins and stuff
That is reasonable, JC. My only real guidelines are Booth winning and no one breaking 40.
I may live two states away, but what the hell, I’ll say Booth 48%, Mervine 44%, Opaliski 5%, Jones 3%.
Let’s also place bets on how many people on state payroll took a vacation day to be down there working and how many forgot to put in for a vacation day but still went down to work.
And don’t forget those who took a sick day and are down there working.
JFC…still no results. This happened the past few elections. They can get general elections up quicker than this shit.
I think Booth and Opalinski split the Republican vote, giving Mervine the win.
I just offered the same sentiments above, Mike. The Dept. of Elections web team must be two hamsters and a gerbel.
I’m with UI. As much as I ABSOLUTELY DON’T want her to win, I think the two third party candidates will invariably split Booth’s votes.
UI–I was very afraid of that from the get go.
I remember that night. I think it took them about 25-30 minutes to get them up. We’re pushing 40 here and they’ve only got 16 precincts that need to report in! Out of the 300-some on the general election!
Mike – this is Sussex County – and Western Sussex at that (well, mostly anyway)…
we work a little slow down here
BTW. – I did a write in just for the hell of it – at least I voted. I couldn’t NOT vote, but I also could not vote for any if the candidates – so I wrote in someone just for the hell of it, to have it counted as OTHER WRITE IN.
TNJ is saying there are computer issues keeping the numbers from the web. If they can see the numbers, why won’t they tell us?!?
I think the Republican vote gets split 4 ways. There are no real Democrats running for the seat….just varying degrees of Republicans.
Hey – anyone from the campaigns watching here? Surely they have an idea if their own voters turned out. Who has a good feeling?
I a going out on a limb and saying I don’t think Jones & Opaliski get 20% between the two of them. Maybe not even the 14% Suzanne is calling. Probably not even 10%. The best I can remember a 3rd party candidate doing in a race where there were Democrat & Republican candidtaes was Vivian Houghton for AG for the Green Party in 1998. She got 6% ,but I think she had billboards for name recognition and I know she a campaign organization and spent months on it. She also debated well.
Opaliski only got 21.7% against Thurman Adams in 2006 and that was with no Repubican in the race.
AMEND that one anon1 – thats what I have been saying all alone – its a Republican, a Republican that says she is a Democrat for reasons unbeknown to us, a Republican that once was a Republican and now ran as Independent, and a Republican running as Libertarian because she wants to appear more socially liberal than the rest – didn’t work though.
No, there was a Republican in that race, John. Thurman Adams.
Actually, Suzanne, I think Wendy is a real Libertarian.
Do I have to drive down there and show them how to use a computer?
Rumors are now reporting a Booth win. WGMD?
She is socially more conservative then many Libertarians I know – so at a minimum that makes her, to me, a borderline Reopublican
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Twitter is saying 45 more minutes for results.
Actually, Suzanne, I think Wendy is a real Libertarian.
The problem is this: there are both right- and left- libertarians in terms of social issues. Wendy is pretty straight down the line (vaccines excepted) as a right- libertarian.
“vaccines excepted’
ROFLMAO
Ain’t lookin’ good for PAM. Sourse in Sussex says she lost Bridgeville and numbers are way out there to keep her from taking it.
So Delaware Dem , are you saying Thurman Adams was one of the first fusion candidates in Delaware?
sorry about the spelling…
I do think that if she loses by a lot and Booth wins by a lot, then its becuase Democrats voted for Booth to get a special election in Georgetown and possibly take that House seat – kind of a gamble, but if it works. . .
I am going on the record now and say that someone needs to be fired at the Department of Elections. This is their game time. Having to wait for nearly 2 hours when all is said and done for results tonight from one Senate District with 16 election districts is disgustingly pathetic.
LOL, John. No, I am not saying that.
Hear hear, DelDem! This is freakin’ ridonkulous!
OK, since we’re waiting we’ll have to think of nicknames for the new Senator, whoever he or she, is.
Aunt Polly?
What else?
Geez, we really do still use Return Day around here.
Booth giving victory speech.
Sounds like Booth won. He’s making his acceptance speech. TNJ needs to do a story on DOE’s bullshit.
Mother Jones
They must be tabulating off of the runners.
Love that, Joanne.
So, have the contenders already conceded to Booth?
Elbert reports 2-1 Booth over Mervine.
Why are there Ds and Ls after some of the names? Aren’t they all Rs?
Yeah, the runner totals are probably important. anon1 reported that PAM lost Bridgeville.
But even the NJ has no results. Neither does the Sussex Countian. How is Booth giving an acceptance speech.
Governor Markell must begin an investigation into the galling incompetence of his Department of Elections and fire everyone responsible.
LOL, nemski!
DelDem,
Just said the same thing on my status update. Gov. Markell MUST launch an investigation.
Please don’t scare me – PAM is not in the 37th RD is she?
Like I said DD–the runners checking in. Not official, but it’s real.
Oh my, UI. Oh my! Frightening!
Umm, yep, lived a few doors down from Dear Old Dad.
67 minutes and counting.
Tally-gate. Who’s falling on the sword?
This is some bullshit, man. This is some hardcore bullshit. DelDem’s got it right in his most recent update above.
I’m surprised we even care which Republican wins.
I posted the results that I got through unofficial channels at DP. It was a landslide. I agree with you on the Dept. of Elections. It is a monumental failure.
WNJ is calling it for Booth.
http://delawareonline.com/article/20090803/NEWS/90803056/Booth-wins-Thurman-Adams–seat
I like how it says on top of the page at http://elections.delaware.gov/results/html/stwres.shtml
Last Updated: 08/03/09 09:13 PM
So now the results are LEAKING to people and the DOE STILL doesn’t have the damn numbers up?
This is a FAIL of epic proportions.
Dems lost EVERY election district
There was a similar problem during the school board elections in May in Cape – 3 precincts and they couldn’t certify the vote until the next day because of “computer/voting machine problems.” DOE is a joke.
I think Booth will take it, Pollyanna second, with Matt a close third, Wendy taking 4% (sorry Brian).
I think Mervine would have had a chance if she had run a good campaign. Ducking out of debates was not good PR.
Hard 2:1 loss for PAM
So, who will run for Booth’s seat? We heard Mervine is available!
It is looking like .5% for Wendy according to GOP insider numbers.
I am so happy now. Not at the DOE’s failure. At PAM’s. I don’t even care who won…just so long as she lost.
wrong RD for Mervine. thank god
The 19th District Democratic Committee people (the ones that voted for PAM) got what they deserved.
They want to gamble and try to get a super majority in the house — good luck.
Suzanne,
Are you in Booth’s district?
91 minutes…and counting.
GOP just sent out a release claiming Booth got 60 pct.
But here’s the rub: the release is headed, “REPUBLICANS WIN UPSET VICTORY IN 19TH SENATE RACE.”
It’s important that out-of-state media understand that this is no upset. This is a Christine O’Donnell district.
MJ you would have the results from the Republican poll watcher tallies if you went to our site. You don’t need to make predictions when the results are known. It won’t kill you to visit the right side for two minutes 🙂
People are not buying into fringe parties and the results may show a growing discontent with Obamanation.
Based on my observations in the Booth booth at the State Fair, people generally like the man.
How does a Republican run against the likes of Thurman Adams? Run to the left and alienate the base and ignore the “brass collar Democrats” who vote the party label. Run to the right? Not easily done.
The real race is yet to come. Will the Democrat run as an Obama/Markell enthusiast or will Polly try for a consolation prize?
No, my representative is, unfortunately, Dave Wilson (35th)
Memo to Bob Gilligan: When you schedule the special election, remember that Democrats like to vote on Saturdays. Our people have to work for a living.
I agree schedule the special election on a Saturday. Maybe the beach side of the district won’t brave the traffic. I LIKE that plan.
Memo to Democrats: actually speaking for yourself works.
LOL Art! SD-19 special election is a referendum on Obama! You’re too funny!
“People are not buying into fringe parties and the results may show a growing discontent with Obamanation.”
You don’t know Sussex County people, do you? They don’t think about national politics when they go to the polls to vote in their local races.
Uh, Art… how can this be a referendum on Obama when McCain won the district easily? If this were a competitive district on a national, or local, level for Democrats and if Booth based his entire campaign on opposition to Obama (which he did not), then you may have a point.
“races”
how appropriate Suzanne 🙂
Brian Shields is reporting these numbers: Booth 4,335; Mervine 2,083; Opalinski 408; Jones 56.
BTW, if those numbers are right – John Tobin totally called it.
110 minutes– Brian is pretty close to the mark.
Joe Booth wins by a landslide. Dang, everybody hates Obama now and it’s hurting Democrats.
Dave,
So full of shit you are. The district hated Obama in November. It’s filled with mostly Crazy Eileen-type clones who are so pissed off that a colored won the presidency. They want their country back!!!
Everybody hates Obama now? Interesting then that his approval rating ranges between 56% (Gallup) and 62% (Research 2000). I guess we have a love-hate relationship with the President.
Nice try though, Dave.
Please. Obama is polling below Bush Jr. and Carter did at points in their respective presidencies.
Corzine is down by double-digits in NJ and the PPP poll to be released tomorrow will show Deeds losing in Virginia.
And Booth wins with 60%+ of the vote.
“It’s filled with mostly Crazy Eileen-type clones who are so pissed off that a colored won the presidency. ”
Watch it Bucko
“MOSTLY!” There are, of course, exceptions!!
And he is polling above Reagan and Clinton at this point in their respective Presidencies. Your point?
It is idiotic to try to claim a national significance to a small state small district special election in a district that is home to Crazy Eileen and most of the Republicans in the state.
But hey, idiots do idiotic things.
…that Democrats like to vote on Saturdays. Our people have to work for a living.
There was a very distinct reason why Saturdays were done away with in regard to voting. Personally, I am fine with that decision to toss aside Saturdays (which didn’t affect me anyway), too, considering POLLS ARE OPEN FOR 13 HOURS!
Memo to Bob Gilligan: go ahead and schedule it on a Saturday, I dare you. When you do, be sure to use that “Our people” line, too. It ought to be a home run.
There are some problems with Saturdays. First off, it is the Jewish sabbath. Second, beach traffic in a downstate district is a BIG concern. Third, assuming the special election will be in 30 or so days (depending on when Booth officially resigns the House), we are looking at a Saturday in the beginning of September. I hear there is a big holiday marking the end of the summer then. No, I much prefer a weekday.
Sidenote: If this election has taught me one thing, it’s that I now know how to do a write-in vote. See, you can learn something from ANY hopeless situation.
As for the voting day – doesn’t matter to me. since the Department of Election in Delaware can’t seem to get it right and other states can’t seem to be able to count – why not just do it by mail all the way – some will get lost, others will get counted twice – who cares…
Saturday poses minimal problem. Few Jews are so observant as to be prohibited from pacing to the polls. Delaware Constitution was amended to permit absentee voting – which is far more convenient anyway – for the scant few with such scruples. State Sen. Dan Weiss [who would have been a great governor] helped structure this arrangement.
So, that’s the reason why Primaries were bumped off Saturdays? Very far from what I heard more than one time. Plus, I actually think people in general are less apt to vote on Saturdays vs a weekday. It’s “me-time” vs “I’m already on the road time…without the kids.”
BTW you slide the decimal point on Matt. He had 6% not .o6% of the vote.
Manifold – how do you know what percentage of Jews is Sussex County are observant or not? Unless you’re the Lubuvatcher Rebbe, may he rest in peace, who knew his followers, I would hold back on making that assumption. Most of the members of Seaside Jewish live in the 14th and 38th RD’s, so we’re not worried about when a special election in the 37th is scheduled.
Repub David – I tried going over to the republican site and my fingers began cramping and couldn’t finish typing in the URL. I think G-D was telling me not to commit a grave sin. 🙂
I find it interesting reading the comments. Only Democrats, the party that founded the Al Franken-type fraudulent election result, could find anything dramatic about the Republican slaughter delivered by Joe Booth yesterday.
Al Franken type results = getting more votes than the other guy.
Republican slaughter my ass – Booth didn’t really win – Polly lost. He was the obvious choice over her because he was the only experienced candidate.
Also, I bet you that Republicans came out in higher numbers than Democrats – and then the result makes sense too.
I personally don’t care who won – I found it hilarious and couldn’t stop laughing last night.
Polly does not live in the 37th. The district covers the Lewes to Georgetown area.
Likely D candidate for the 37th is former rep Scroeder who was beaten by Booth a couple of elections back (after the districts were gerrymandered. Mike Wyatt former mayor of G-town is also considering.
I believe Jud Bennett has expressed intrest. And, get this Bodenwieser likely will run. I believe he is one of the founding members of SCCOR. I think a fella named Fink will run on the Christian platform, but I’m not sure if he lives in the district.
Might shed some light on the results issue:
http://www.delawareonline.com/blogs/2009/08/refresh-button-leaves-election.html
Meatball: Schroeder’s not interested.
http://www.capegazette.com/storiescurrent/200907/houseelection24.html
Bennett’s in the 14th and Fink in the 41st.