Why Should Delaware Care?
Delaware’s governor manages state agencies, has the power to veto proposed laws, and sets the tone for how the state government spends money each year. Six different candidates are attempting to capture voters’ support ahead of the pivotal Sept. 10 primary election.

This year’s race for the governor’s mansion has been the most heated in nearly two decades, with three experienced candidates running for Delaware’s coveted Democratic nomination while a veteran Republican legislator competes against two newcomers.

Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long is vying for the Democratic nomination along with New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer and former state environmental secretary Collin O’Mara. Meanwhile, Rep. Michael Ramone is running for the Republican nomination along with newcomers Jerry Price and Bobby Williamson.

Those races will close with a dramatic finish in less than three weeks, with the Primary Election set for Tuesday, Sept. 10.

Voters’ attention has been difficult to capture, however, with a statewide campaign season that kicked off more than a year ago and an ever-changing national presidential campaign swamping the media’s attention.

With that in mind, Spotlight Delaware is helping to get voters caught up by providing a comprehensive list of debates, forums and media coverage of the gubernatorial race to date.

Over the next week, we will also begin rolling out a unique twist on campaign coverage with issue-based stories that dive into candidate positions on topics integral to Spotlight Delaware’s mission: public education, land use, government accountability and health care.

Our coverage is easily available at spotlightdelaware.org/tag/election-2024/

Forums

PHOTO COURTESY OF ROTARY CLUB OF WILMINGTON

Rotary Club of Wilmington forum (Aug. 15, 2024)

Video: https://www.facebook.com/rotarywilm/videos/477328775062956

The candiates for Delaware governor particiapte in the Aug. 14, 2024, debate hosted by the Delaware Journalism Collaborative.
The field for governor is the largest in many years, which will make the Sept 10 Delaware primary election a major affair. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY JACOB OWENS
PHOTO COURTESY OF DELAWARE AFRICA COALITION

Delaware Africa Coalition Forum (Aug. 7, 2024)

Video: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=1196488155110467

PHOTO COURTESY OF SPUR IMPACT

Spur Impact Forum on Entrepreneurship (July 23, 2024)

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhQGq6WULTk

Coverage:

Three Delaware governor candidates talk entrepreneurship; here are the major takeaways (Delaware Public Media)

3 candidates for Governor join forum devoted to entrepreneurship (WDEL)

PHOTO COURTESY OF DSCC / DE.TV

Delaware State Chamber of Commerce Forum (June 13, 2024)

Video: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=312468265256256

PHOTO COURTESY OF CANAAN BAPTIST CHURCH

Canaan Baptist Church Forum (May 20, 2024)

Video: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=2449841415404955

Coverage:

Candidates for Delaware’s next governor weigh in on Black maternal health, food deserts (The News Journal)

PHOTO COURTESY OF VISION COALITION

Vision Coalition Forum on Education (May 8, 2024)

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPgOo2yCYXk

Coverage:

Delaware’s 5 gubernatorial candidates discuss education policies (WDEL)

Did we miss a forum that has recorded video or audio? Send a link to Editor In Chief Jacob Owens at jowens@spotlightdelaware.org.

Jacob Owens has more than 15 years of experience in reporting, editing and managing newsrooms in Delaware and Maryland, producing state, regional and national award-winning stories, editorials and publications....