Following disappointing election cycles back-to-back in 2008 and 2010, Delaware’s Republican Party is looking to new leadership to reinvigorate itself. Last month, Delaware Republicans elected a new state chairman, handing the reins to John Sigler. The Navy veteran, former Dover police captain, and past president of the National Rifle Association (NRA) replaces Tom Ross, who served as party chairman since 2008.
Sigler’s first priority is to reunite a party that split during the 2010 election cycle. The split was most evident in the U.S. Senate primary where tea party-backed Christine O’Donnell stunned former Congressman and Governor Mike Castle, the Republican Party-endorsed candidate. O’Donnell went on to lose the Senate race to Democrat Chris Coons, while Republicans also lost control of Castle’s U.S. House seat and watched Democrats build a super-majority in the Delaware House of Representatives.
“I firmly believe that 2012 is going to offer grand opportunities for Republicans in the state of Delaware to reconcile, unite, move forward,” said Sigler, who is launching his term as chairman with a new slogan for the party, “Together, a new beginning”. “Quite frankly, I’m excited. We have a brand new leadership team and a brand new leadership philosophy.”
Watch the complete interview
with new Delaware Republican Party Chairman, John Sigler here.
DFM News’ Tom Byrne sat down with Sigler to discuss the new leadership philosophy he brings to the party and other issues including fundraising, fielding competitive candidates to run for Governor and other races in 2012, as well as Christine O’Donnell’s future as a candidate.
Retooling the Republican Party in Delaware
Excerpts of interview with new DE Republican Party chairman John Sigler
