Tensions were palpable at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington Tuesday night as election results poured in from across the First State. Candidates, organizers and citizens joined together at the Delaware Democratic Party Election Night Watch Party to celebrate the races they were most invested in.
The party primarily followed five key candidates: Lisa Blunt Rochester in the United States Senate, Matt Meyer in the governorship, Sarah McBride in the U.S. House of Representatives, Kyle Evans Gay in the lieutenant governorship and Marcus Henry for New Castle County Executive. All five candidates won their respective races.
Per current Representative and Senator-elect Lisa Blunt Rochester, there is only one way to describe Delaware’s incoming democratic leadership in the federal government: the “Delaware Dynamic Delegation.”
“We are going to do some bold things, we are going to do some new things,” Blunt Rochester said in her acceptance speech. “This whole campaign for us was about bright hope and bringing bright hope to the Senate, especially when times feel dark.”
Although anticipation was high amongst attendees, there was a clear glimmer of joy, a likely reflection of the democratic majority in Delaware, where between membership of the two major parties, over 60% of people are Democrats. When asked what encouraged them to attend, some Delawareans highlighted the excitement they felt.
“I want to celebrate,” Laura Najemy, a Wilmington resident, said. “Everyone in this room has worked so hard, canvassing, volunteering, donating, organizing, meet and greets, knocking on doors […] so we are here together to celebrate all of our hard work.”
Beyond the joy they felt on Tuesday, attendees and Delaware Democrats had clear priorities in this election.
Najemy specifically highlighted her concern for President-elect Donald Trump’s economic plan.
“The economy [is] very important,” Najemy said. “I think when a presidential candidate says that he’s going to put enormous tariffs on goods and then also slash so many employees from the federal system, we’ll have a mini-collapse.”
Recent university graduates in attendance, Daykia Hunter-McKnight and Fiona Eramo, emphasized the importance of using their voices – and their votes – to uplift others.
“What’s important to me is just being a voice for the underserved, the underprivileged, just the vulnerable populations,” Hunter-McKnight said. “I think it’s important for me to be here and to use my right and my freedom to vote.”
“It’s hard to not be involved, frankly,” Eramo said. “I think it’s so, so critically important, and it’s all of our civic duty to vote, period.”
The importance of diverse representation in politics was also a theme throughout the night.
In fact, Delaware Democrats secured a few historic wins on Tuesday. Notably, Sarah McBride’s successful campaign will make her the nation’s first transgender representative in the House of Representatives, a continuation of her streak as the country’s highest-ranked openly transgender elected official.
“Tonight is a testament to Delawareans, that here, in our state of neighbors, we judge candidates on their ideas and not their identities,” McBride said in her acceptance speech. “The promise of our Constitution is only possible when we respect our differences and resolve our disagreements through conversation and collaboration.”
In addition, Lisa Blunt Rochester’s successful campaign will make her the first woman and first Black person to represent Delaware in the Senate, a win that excited attendees.
“I need to see that self-representation in my public officials,” Hunter-McKnight said. “I think it’s important to have someone that knows your needs and the things that you’re struggling with.”
Senator Chris Coons, who was also in attendance Tuesday night, congratulated Senator-elect Blunt Rochester on her historic win.
“I’ve known her for decades, she’s been a strong member of the House,” Coons said. “I look forward to developing our partnership as a delegation and tackling both the defense of uniquely Delaware institutions and making sure that in the huge tax fight that’s coming next year, that we do everything we can to fight for Delaware families.”
Emotions in the room eased as attendees rejoiced over wins for their preferred candidates, and Delawareans reflected on the ups and downs of the past election season.
“The anticipation has been extremely anxiety-inducing,” Eramo said. “It’s been very divisive, and so that’s just caused a lot of emotions across the board.”
“It’s kind of indescribable to say how it feels, but [there’s] definitely a sense of inspiration and hope for the younger generation,” Hunter-McKnight said.
Ultimately, most Delawareans focused on the power of action.
“I think it’s everybody’s civic duty to do their own research and educate themselves,” Eramo said. “I love to be involved, and will continue to be involved.”
“Focus on what you have control over,” Najemy said. “You can control who you volunteer for, who you canvass for, the issues that you take out there and your own behavior and character.”