Delaware’s Most Intriguing Primaries: #6–Democratic Lieutenant Governor
I think this primary becomes less intriguing with each passing day. The three candidates are State Senator Kyle Evans Gay, State Rep. Sherry Dorsey Walker, and Dr. Debbie Harrington.
I’m not saying that the race is over, but Kyle Evans Gay appears to be the front-runner. I reported on her campaign finance windfall this morning, and mentioned that she had a lot of money yet to be deployed. Well, she’s deploying it. I saw a great TV ad for her about an hour after I wrote about her report. A testimonial from all sorts of ‘just folks’. You remember what TV ads did for LBR back during that Primary for Congress? I think that will happen here unless either of the other two candidates are able to afford TV ads.
Kyle Evans Gay represents SD 5, which is centered in Brandywine Hundred, the Ardens, and Claymont. She defeated longtime incumbent Cathy Cloutier to win the seat.
Sherry Dorsey Walker represents RD 3, located primarily in western Wilmington. She previously ran for Lieutenant Governor, and also lost a close race for the State Senate seat then held by Robert Marshall.
Debbie Harrington has largely made her military career the center of her appeal. She previously ran for State Rep. against R Kevin Hensley in 2020, and got about 45% of the vote. She is also a Vice-Chair of the State Democratic Party.
The Party has endorsed Kyle Evans Gay. Although I’m a big fan of Sen. Gay and will vote for her, I don’t believe that the Party had any business endorsing in this race, or any of the races for that matter. All three candidates are, at the least, credible.
Regardless, demographics, along with money, favor Kyle Evans Gay. We have two Black candidates and a white candidate. And, as you can see from the TV ad (you won’t be able to avoid it), Kyle is not limiting her appeal to white voters. She has already built an admirable list of legislative accomplishments, including on child care, voting rights, and abortion rights. I think she’s a future Governor.
Three good candidates. But only one great campaign.
That’s how I see it.
I’ll be surprised if Harrington gets above 10%.
Think she has some support from her time in the military, particularly around Dover. Plus she ran in RD 9. I think she gets maybe a bit more, but you’re likely in the ballpark.
Agree 100% that the party shouldn’t endorse candidates during the primary. It’s anti-democratic. In fact, I’m doing my best not to hold that against Gay as such endorsements are typically a great bellwether for whom one should not vote.
Haven’t decided between Gay and Dorsey-Walker yet. Harrington is nice but she’s said a few things which made me think she lacks insight. If anyone has good reason to vote (or not vote) for G or DW I’m all ears.