Delaware’s Jimmy Carter? The Perils of Matt Meyer’s Big Swings
Delaware has always preferred its politics like its chicken: mild, no surprises, and easy to digest. Voters like governors who keep the lights on, the roads paved, and the corporate tax loopholes wide enough for a Fortune 500 company to slip through. Which is why the political establishment lined up behind Bethany Hall-Long—because nothing upsets the powers-that-be more than a fresh idea.
But Delaware voters, being the free-thinkers they are, ignored the well-oiled machine and chose Matt Meyer instead—thanks in no small part to Hall-Long’s… let’s say creative campaign finance reports. So now, we have a governor with big ideas, big ambitions, and big swing energy—unfortunately, he’s playing in a league that prefers bunts.
Is Matt Meyer Delaware’s Jimmy Carter 2.0?
If American political history has taught us anything, it’s that being the smartest guy in the room is a great way to end up alone at the end of the night. Jimmy Carter came to Washington promising to fix government and make it work for the people. Unfortunately, he found out the hard way that Washington, much like a vending machine with a “shake gently” sign, doesn’t work the way you think it should.Matt Meyer, likewise, entered the Governor’s Mansion with the enthusiasm of a man who truly believes government can be improved. This is, of course, an unforgivable sin in politics. The old guard—who prefer their government with the efficiency of a DMV on a Monday morning—are already lining up to ensure he gets nowhere fast.
Meyer has been swinging for the fences since day one. He wants to fix Delaware’s housing crisis (ambitious), lower healthcare costs (commendable), and keep businesses from fleeing the state (necessary). But the problem with going for grand slams every time you step up to bat is that everything short of a home run looks like a failure.
The Political Quagmire: Where Good Intentions Go to Die
Here’s where it gets tricky:Housing Crisis? Meyer wants bold reforms, but Delaware’s “not in my backyard” crowd—otherwise known as homeowners—prefer their property values untouched and their affordable housing developments built… somewhere else.
Education? He wants real investment, but the legislature would rather commission another study to gather dust on a shelf.
Carter faced the same battles—trying to fix long-term, systemic problems in a political world built for short-term, transactional gains. By the time he realized that real change takes longer than four years, he was already on his way to losing to Ronald Reagan.From County Executive to Governor: The Peter Principle in Action
Meyer was an effective New Castle County Executive. He cut expenses, diversified the administration, and made government more responsive. Voters rewarded him with a second term. But running a county is like coaching a college football team: the players (constituents) are eager, the plays are simple, and the stakes are manageable.Being governor, though? That’s the NFL. The playbook is complex, the opposition is ruthless, and everyone involved has an ego bigger than the stadium. Plenty of celebrated college coaches have made this leap, only to get sent back to campus in record time.
Consider Urban Meyer, who dominated at Ohio State but flamed out with a 2-11 record in the NFL. Or Bobby Petrino, who left a winning run at Louisville only to resign mid-season from the Atlanta Falcons after a 3-10 start. The moral of the story? Strategies that work with 18-year-olds who need scholarships don’t translate well to professionals making millions.
Meyer governed New Castle County like a top-tier college coach—quick moves, rapid changes, and a tight inner circle. That worked in a county where most people barely notice local government unless their trash pickup is late. But at the state level, the game is different. The legislature is slow, entrenched interests are powerful, and change is not just resisted—it’s actively suffocated with bureaucracy, budget fights, and backroom deals.
Four Years from Now: The Inevitable Criticism
Fast forward to 2028, and what will we hear? That Matt Meyer “didn’t get anything done.” His critics will point to stalled initiatives, unfinished projects, and bold goals that never materialized.What they won’t mention is that Meyer was swinging for grand slams when the game only required getting on base. Instead of stacking up small victories that could have built political capital, he went for the big wins—the kind that either take longer than four years to deliver or require a legislature actually interested in problem-solving.
His supporters will try to remind everyone that he was trying to change the game, that he wanted a better Delaware, not just a functional one. But politics is a business of short memories and long grudges. And in a state where the political machine runs like clockwork, Matt Meyer might be remembered not as a bad governor, but as one who simply didn’t fit the mold.
The Final Play
If history is any guide, Meyer’s term will end with the political class smugly declaring, “See? We told you Hall-Long would have been better.” And just like that, Delaware will return to its usual routine of electing governors who promise continuity rather than change.But at least for now, we get to watch a man try to break the mold. And maybe—just maybe—he’ll knock one out of the park before his time is up.
Any wonder that peanut farmer Jimmy Carter loved this tune?:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWueLY9xn-k
In 2008, the “continuity” candidate was John Carney. The “change” candidate was Jack Markell.
Yep. Didn’t take him long to embrace or, at least make peace with, The Delaware Way.
I’ll give Meyer the benefit of the doubt for now. He was the least bad option in my eyes and I voted for him. I like his plans and hope he delivers on a few.
I think the piece is deeper if/when you read it a couple of times.
There is a distinct Delaware Way attitude that dismisses change, that often dismisses alternative thought, that, in fact, fights against it.
The writer (I know who it is this time) equates how Carter experienced a similar response as President as to how Meyer could be treated as Governor.
The way I read it, the writer LIKES Meyer, but questions whether he can break through the permanent Delaware Way Invisible Shield.
So do I. Hope he can, though.
Think of the former SOS as an evil Superman and Matt as Kryptonite. Blow that can of worms open and the Delaware way will be running up the walls like roaches in a flop house when the lights come on!
I’m gona push back on how “good” of a county executive he was. He was better than Gordon, but that’s not a high bar.
He lived off ARPA funds and left the county in pretty bad financial shape. Don’t believe me? Watch the county the next few years.
He had some creative ideas but burned a whole lot of bridges along the way, but enough for the 40 whatever percent to win a 3 way primary.
As for his governors reign? Time will tell
“That worked in a county where most people barely notice local government unless their trash pickup is late. ”
Trash pickup isn’t handled by the county. It’s all privately contracted.
You’re right. Only about 12% of New Castle County residents get city-run trash pickup—because Wilmington, home to roughly 70,000 people, is the only place where the government handles collection. The other 88% of the county relies on private haulers. So yeah, trash pickup isn’t a county service—but since we’re talking trash, does that mean the rest of this article belongs in the bin? (Kidding! Sort of.)
But let’s step back for a second. Sure, people barely think about services like trash pickup when they work smoothly, but the moment they fail, suddenly everyone has an opinion. Just look at the Delmarva Power outrage—private company, not a government service, yet it still escalated to the General Assembly because when bills spike, people demand action. The same logic applies here: if Wilmington’s trash collection collapsed, would we really expect the fallout to stay confined to city limits? Or would it quickly become a county, state, or even national conversation? History suggests the latter.
And if that happens, it won’t just be about garbage—it never is. Wilmington, a majority-minority city with a long history of underfunded services, would suddenly be at the center of a much bigger debate. Questions about race, class, and governance would enter the mix. If the Mayor and City Council couldn’t fix it fast, and county leadership wasn’t aligned with them (which we’ve seen happen before), the County Executive would find themselves in the conversation—whether they wanted to be or not. And if that Executive has their eyes on a future statewide office? Well, public perception sticks. Just ask Tom Carper, John Carney, and half of Delaware’s political establishment, who’ve all rotated through different positions like a game of musical chairs.
But hey, that’s just my take. Beyond the trash talk, did anything else in the article stand out to you? I’m curious what made an impact.
It struck me as speculative. No offense, the Carter analogy fits well enough, but it’s all moonbeams. We don’t know what will happen, and I don’t think there’s much of a prize for guessing right or penalty for guessing wrong. “This could happen” is my least favorite form of punditry.
Delmarva is in theory answerable to the utilities commission. Trash pickup isn’t, so that one doesn’t work for me.
I’m more interested in the subject of private vs. public ownership of utilities. Much of Delaware has private water service, for example, and Artesian always has a seat at the big table.
Fair enough, speculation isn’t for everyone. No offense taken. I get why “this could happen” isn’t the strongest argument to you, but in my opinion, patterns in leadership and political conditions tend to repeat themselves. Ignoring those patterns until a crisis happens seems risky—especially if the goal is to see someone succeed rather than fail. Speculation in this case feels more like a constructive warning than baseless guesswork.
We don’t dismiss meteorologists for predicting storms just because they aren’t 100% certain. They track pressure systems and wind patterns to see what’s coming. In my view, political analysis works the same way—if we see familiar trends in leadership and external pressures, it’s worth considering what might be ahead before we’re in the middle of it.
Meyer and Carter share notable similarities—both political outsiders, widely seen as “nice guys” with ambitious reform ideas, yet lacking the political machinery to execute them easily. Governing isn’t just about good ideas—it requires strategy and coalition-building. Unlike Carter, Meyer’s ceiling isn’t set. If he has higher ambitions, a misstep now could stain his political future and limit his opportunities.
I understand why Meyer reacts to federal issues—Washington’s dysfunction forces states to step up. But in my opinion, being reactive instead of strategic carries risks. Carter’s response to inflation, the oil embargo, and foreign crises often made things worse, despite good intentions. Similarly, Meyer’s eagerness to align with national progressive priorities—whether on housing, climate, or corporate regulation—could backfire if they don’t all translate at the state level to state voters as Delaware specific wins.
And this brings me to what I think could be the biggest potential landmine—or grand speculation, as you would put it, LOL. Delaware’s corporate laws. If the federal government is turning its focus here, it’s worth asking why. In my opinion, this could be a genuine policy push, an attempt to provoke a fight, weaken Delaware’s economy, or even serve as retribution. If it’s the latter (and I hope it’s not), Meyer needs to be careful not to take the bait and get blamed for a battle that was always coming. If Washington is looking for an easy target, it would be a mistake for him to offer himself as tribute.
I have nothing invested in Matt Meyer. I don’t see any ambitious reform ideas – I heard boilerplate goals, not concrete plans. I don’t even agree with you that he’s likable. And if he has higher ambitions than governor of Delaware, he’s more deluded than I gave him credit for.
I’m not in the business of offering advice to politicians, and they aren’t in the habit of listening even if I did. Whatever plans they’re making to deal with whatever are far outside our scope. They have far more information than we do.
Where is the evidence that the federal government is taking an interest in Delaware’s corporate law?
I get that much of political discourse these days consists of this sort of armchair strategizing, but that doesn’t interest me either. Have at it, though. Everyone needs a hobby.
Also, while I consider the likelihood of trash pickup suddenly ceasing in Wilmington to be extremely low, I find it even less likely that the county government would get involved. The city usually deals directly with the state, which has direct access to more resources anyway.
I like the analogy between Carter coming to DC as a reformer and being dismissed by the political establishment, and the seeming dismissing of Meyer’s early initiatives.
There is nothing speculative about how the self-styled insiders tried to pull a fast one on the Port.
Based on my time in Dover, there is nothing speculative about resistance to any ‘reforms’ to our corporate law fiefdom.
I said the analogy worked, as far as it goes. But it exists not to compare Meyer with Carter in a vacuum but to predict that his administration will meet a similar fate.
Personally, I’m not even willing to concede that he has any plan to address the problems cited, or even that in the third case that there is a problem, if it refers to the phony concern over Chancery Court. Indeed, if he’s taking Phil Shawe seriously, I find his concern disingenuous.
Housing? I doubt anything will be done, and the NIMBYs aren’t the only problem. The lack of public transportation plays a significant role – land is cheap in places the buses don’t go.
Education? Let’s see if they can agree on how to fix the funding formula and what it will cost. Everyone agrees it sucks; let’s see if they can agree how to fix it.
It exists in that the Permanent Government, which includes lobbyists and the like, are used to foiling any attempts to dislodge the Delaware Way from its perch.
As someone who worked down there for so long, the article captures that inside echo chamber where even people who would be inclined to push for change become so used to the status quo that it, often without realizing it, subtly changes their perspective.
I’ve struggled to explain this ever since I’ve left. This piece explains it better than I ever did. As I told the author yesterday, it took me a good two years to wash that perspective away.
Perhaps that’s why it resonates with me more than others.
I agree with those aspects of it. I only critiqued the rest because I was asked.
I didn’t vote for Meyer in the primary or the general election. This was the first time in my life voting for a Republican, which should tell you all you need to know of my opinion of the man. That being said, I think it is premature to say much of anything about his governorship or his chances for re-election in 2028. Putting my personal feelings aside, I recognize we have many pressing issues to address over the next four years and his success in doing so is important to all Delawareans not just the ppl who support him. For this reason I wish him the best in his efforts to reform K-12 education, make progress on affordable housing, and promote clean energy.
Being governor of any state is an incredibly tough job. Success in the role requires excellent listening skills, deep humility, and creativity. I sincerely hope he develops all three.
Oh look, another Republican who wants to vote how they vote, then backpedal like they’re just a reasonable centrist who’s totally not like the orange guy currently squatting in the White House. Classic. If you’re gonna be a Republican, be a Republican. Own it. Nobody’s handing out trophies for saying, “Well, I didn’t vote for Meyer, but now I’m graciously willing to see if he can manage basic governance
That’s a horseshit take. No bull.
How so?
Guy says he never voted Republican before and you say he’s a Republican. Contribute something intelligent or go troll somewhere else.
“but now I’m graciously willing to see if he can manage basic governance”
These are not basic times for a basic governor. All states will have to deal with fewer Federal dollars, especially in education, even before taking the likely Trumpcession and unemployment into account.
Meyer inherits a long-standing education funding quagmire that will require unpopular choices to resolve. And he will have to do this with a Delaware Way establishment that has knives out for him already.
I have no idea if Meyer is up to those challenges, but for now he seems to be an upgrade over his predecessors.
Ah yes, “basic governance”—as if Delaware’s education funding crisis, federal budget cuts, and an entrenched political establishment sharpening their knives are just minor inconveniences that can be fixed with a fresh coat of paint. Meyer may have inherited a mess, but let’s not pretend he’s walking into an open-concept, turn-key administration.
If being an “upgrade” simply means not immediately tripping over his own feet, then sure, he’s got that going for him. But at some point, “not being as bad as the last guy” stops being a governing philosophy and starts being an excuse.
So, is Meyer actually up for the challenge, or are we just grading on a curve?
Speaking as someone who may occasionally be full of myself, you’re really full of yourself.