Bryan Shupe will retain his seat as the 36th District Representative for two more years after defeating Andy Gorlich based on unofficial election results. According to the Department of Elections with 100 percent of the vote counted, Shupe received 5,220 votes, 53.91 percent to Gorlich’s 4,463 votes, 46.09 percent.
“I’m grateful to the people of the 36th District for placing your trust in me and giving me another term to serve as your state representative,” Shupe said. “Thank you to everyone who knocked on doors, put up a sign, called a neighbor, or prayed for our family. Thank you to Sherry and our kids for standing beside me through the long days and late nights. And thank you to everyone who took the time to vote. I thank God for the opportunity to serve the community my family and I call home. It’s an honor to represent you.”
Gorlich thanked his supporters throughout his campaign.
“Luckily with support from neighbors and friends we were able to make a strong statement yesterday,” Gorlich said. “No mud was thrown from my end, nor misleading information. Running on good will, altruism, and respect was able to get the Democratic party a significantly larger percent than what some politicians expected. I have not gotten the opportunity to compare it with other general election results for Democrats in house 36 yet. There’s high chance we will all be working together eventually. Collaboration is key. Delaware is stronger together.”
Gorlich is correct. In 2024, Shupe was victorious over Rony Blatazar-Lopez. Shupe earned 7,757 votes or 62.86 percent vs Baltazar-Lopez with 4,583, or 37.14 percent. The gap was narrowed with Gorlich running against Shupe. Gorlich also had a medical emergency that took him off the campaign trail for a period of time.
Morgan Hudson will assume the 33rd District Representative seat vacated when Representative Charles Postles retired this year. She defeated Josh Pennington with 4,941 votes, 54.52 percent to Pennington’s 4,121 votes, 41.48 percent.
“Thank you to all who voted for me in this election. Although this was not the outcome I hoped to get, I am still proud to have gotten to speak and hear from everyone during this election cycle” Pennington said. “To Representative Elect Morgan I congratulate you on your victory and wish you nothing but success. Me and my spouse wish everyone a Happy Holiday season for the remainder of this year.”
Milford Times reached out to Hudson, but at press time had not received a response.
Kent County Levy Court Commissioner At-Large Terry Pepper defeated Frank E. Coleman. Pepper, the incumbent, received 38,854 votes, 61.38 percent while Coleman received 24,445 votes, 38.62 percent.
Sussex County Council District 4 incumbent Douglas B. Hudson will remain on council with 16,200 votes, 55.5 percent. He defeated Justine Cuccia who received 12,988 votes, 44.55 percent. In Sussex County Council District 5 incumbent John L. Rieley was defeated by jill Hicks. Rieley received 10,603 votes, 48.73 percent while Hicks received 11,155 votes, 48.73 percent.
For statewide offices, Senator Chris Coons was victorious over Michael “Dr. Mike” Katz. Coons received 239,813 votes, 63.56 percent while Katz received 137,464 votes, 36.44 percent. Representative Sarah McBride will also remain in office, receiving 242,934 votes, 64.34 percent to her challenger, Joseph “Dr. Joe” Arminio with 134,670 votes, 35.66 percent.
Incumbent Attorney General Kathy Jennings will remain in office after receiving 239,888 votes, 63.62 percent. She defeated by David C. “Dave” Graham who received 137,161 votes, 36.38 percent. Lydia York won the Auditor of Accounts election with 226,999 votes, 60.39 percent, defeating April Callaway who received 130,595 votes, 34.74 percent and Austin Cassidy, 18,311 votes, 4.87 percent.
In the State Treasurer race, Ted Lauzen defeated Michael Ramone with Lauzen receiving 235,079 votes, 62.43 percent and Ramone receiving 141,448 votes, 37.57 percent.
According to the Department of Elections, 384,033 of 810,407 registered voters cast ballots in the election, representing a turnout of 47.39 percent. This is a significantly lower turnout than in 2024 when 518,330 of 788,441 registered voters cast ballots, representing 65.74 percent of voters. In 2022, the last mid-term election, turnout was higher this year. In 2022, 325,632 of 762,908 registered voters cast ballots representing 42.68 percent of voters.
All election results are unofficial until certified by the State Department of Elections. The candidates will “Bury the Hatchet” on Thursday as part of the annual Returns Day held in Georgetown.
