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 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.
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 for the Governor and other races in 2012, as well as Christine O’Donnell’s future as a candidate.
Retooling the Republican Party in Delaware
Full interview with new Delaware Republican Party Chairman John Sigler
