Delaware is one of just a few states in the nation where Democratic candidates for state legislatures enjoyed success in the November 2nd election.
In fact, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Democrats gained seats in just five legislative chambers – the State Senates of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Massachusetts and Hawaii, and the Delaware State House. Democrats picked up two seats in the chamber and will hold a 26-15 majority over the Republicans.
Why was the First State able to withstand the Republican wave of support on Election Day?
House Speaker Robert Gilligan (D-Sherwood Park) said it goes back to two years ago, when the Republican majority ended in the House after 24 years.
“We walked in with a 25% deficit. We lost $800,000,000. And we came out of it on July 1, 2009 with a balanced budget,” Gilligan said. He believes the issues were on the side of the Democrats, and he thinks the party had an outstanding slate of candidates who “outworked” their opponents.
- Delaware's Democrat Leadership. From left: House Majority Leader Peter C. Schwartzkopf, House Majority Whip Valerie Longhurst and Speaker of the House Robert F. Gilligan. Click to enlarge.
Gilligan spoke after members of the House Democratic Caucus met in Dover Tuesday and voted for him to remain speaker of the House. Gilligan must still be confirmed by the full House of Representatives as speaker. The House Democratic Caucus also voted to retain State Representative Peter Schwartzkopf (D-Rehoboth) as House majority leader and State Representative Valerie Longhurst (D-Bear) as majority whip.
When the 146th Delaware General Assembly convenes January 11th, 2011, Gilligan said their priorities will be to work with the Governor, keep a balanced budget, continue to provide the necessary services while streamlining the cost of government, and maintain a strong bond rating and a rainy day fund.
“The problem we have in Delaware is the fact that we’re a very small state, and we also have to provide everything a big state has,” Gilligan said. “We have to do the best we can not to grow government.”
Gilligan cited rising costs of public education due to growing enrollment and skyrocketing Medicaid expenses, adding “whenever you have a recession there’s more of a demand for state services than before.”
However, he sees no need at this point to increase taxes and fees in 2011.
The contentious task of redistricting also comes up next year following the 2010 census. This time, it takes place under Democratic majorities in the House and Senate. According to Gilligan, lawmakers will likely get the numbers from Washington in March or April, then get to work. Due to population growth patterns, the southern part of the state is more likely to pick up a seat.
“It’s one of the most difficult things to do, redistricting,” said House Majority Leader Schwartzkopf. He said the goal is to create sensible boundaries while not dividing neighborhoods, communities, or even schools.
A decade ago, the process extended into 2002 and was settled under the looming threat of intervention from the courts.
Tuesday’s House Democratic Caucus meeting also saw newly-elected lawmakers Debra Heffernan, Rebecca Walker, Stephanie T. Bolden and Edward Osienski welcomed to the caucus.
Committee chairs and assignments will be announced at a later date.
House Republican Caucus members will meet in early December to elect their minority leadership.
