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.