Feb. 26 (UPI) — Democrats retained control of the Delaware state Senate after winning a special election for a district seat.
Stephanie Hansen received 7,314 votes (58.1 percent) to defeat Republican John Marino, who had 5,127 votes (40.8 percent), and Libertarian Joseph Lanzendorfer with 139 (1.1 percent), with all votes counted in the 10th District on Saturday night, according to Delaware’s Department of Elections.
Democrats have held the Senate for the past 44 years.
“This was a high-stakes election that was divisive for some, but now is the time for us to come together as Democrats, Republicans and independents and work toward a common good for all of our state,” Hansen, an environmental attorney and a former New Castle County Council president, said in her victory speech. “While the nation’s focus remains on this race for one more night, let us set an example for the rest of the country and show them what the Delaware Way means — and why it matters.”
Former Vice President Joe Biden and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley campaigned on Hansen’s behalf.
A total of $749,008 was raised on her behalf, including funds to her campaign and an allied political action committee, First State Strong. That represented $102.40 per person who voted for Hansen.
Delaware is one of just six states with Democratic legislatures and a Democratic governor.
The district includes Middletown, Glasgow and southern Newark — about 6,000 more Democrats than Republicans.
The seat became open in January when Bethany Hall-Long resigned to become lieutenant governor. That left the Senate tied at 10-10.
The Republicans lost control of the House in 2008.
