Delaware’s Most Intriguing Primaries: #10–RD 3

State Rep. Sherry Dorsey Walker, who has previously run for statewide office, is running for Lt. Governor instead of for reelection, and has created an open seat in this Wilmington area district.  Here is the district map.  The District is overwhelmingly Democratic, and almost certainly has the largest percentage of Latino/Latina voters in the state.  Did I mention ‘overwhelming’?  11,081 D;  1,503 R; 4348 I. 

Democrats Branden Fletcher Dominguez and Josue Ortega are running for the seat.  No Republican has filed.  Ortega has been the Community Liaison and Projects Coordinator for New Castle County.  He ran for Wilmington City Council in 2020, and finished a respectable second to Yolanda McCoy in District 6.  I know his dad, Demetrio Ortega, Jr.,  a former Wilmington City Councilman.  I have nothing but the highest regard for him.  A sincere and empathetic person.  I have no doubt that Josue Ortega would be a solid Democratic stalwart in Dover.

However, Branden Fletcher Dominguez has run one of the most dynamic campaigns I’ve seen in my 40-plus years in Delaware politics.  I first met him when he served as Shane Darby’s campaign manager during that whirlwind primary.  I couldn’t believe that someone so young had such a grasp of grassroots campaigns.  ‘Tireless’ is the word that comes to mind.  He is running an issues-oriented campaign, with a particular focus on addressing both housing and food insecurity.  I see him as fast becoming a leader on these issues in Dover and as a collaborator with other like-minded legislators.

The reason why this race is ‘only’ #10 on the list is twofold:   (1) Both candidates are admirable;  (2)  I believe that Branden’s campaign has been so effective that I don’t think this race will be all that close.  I support him, I’ve spent some time campaigning for him, and I can’t wait to see what he can accomplish in Dover.