2002 Delaware House of Representatives election

The 2002 Delaware House of Representatives election was held on November 5, 2002, to elect all 41 members of Delaware's House of Representatives. The election coincided with elections for other offices, including for U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, and state senate. The primary election was held on September 7, 2002.[1]

2002 Delaware House of Representatives election

← 2000 November 5, 2002 (2002-11-05) 2004 →

All 41 seats in the Delaware House of Representatives
21 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Terry Spence Robert Gilligan
Party Republican Democratic
Leader's seat 18th- New Castle 19th - Wilmington
Last election 26 15
Seats before 26 15
Seats won 29 12
Seat change Increase3 Decrease3
Popular vote 126,043 80,208
Percentage 60.65% 38.59%

Results:
     Republican gain
     Democratic hold      Republican hold

Speaker before election

Terry Spence
Republican

Elected Speaker

Terry Spence
Republican

Results

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District Incumbent Party Elected Representative Party
1st Dennis Williams Dem Dennis Williams Dem
2nd Al Plant Sr. Dem Hazel Plant Dem
Arthur Scott[a] Dem
3rd Helene Keeley[b] Dem Helene Keeley Dem
4th Joseph G. Di Pinto Rep Joseph G. Di Pinto Rep
5th New Seat Melanie George Dem
6th David Ennis Rep David Ennis Rep
7th Wayne Smith Rep Wayne Smith Rep
David Brady[c] Dem
8th New Seat Bethany Hall-Long Dem
9th Richard Cathcart Rep Richard Cathcart Rep
10th Robert Valihura Jr. Rep Robert Valihura Jr. Rep
11th Gregory Lavelle Rep Gregory Lavelle Rep
12th Deborah Hudson Rep Deborah Hudson Rep
13th John Van Sant III Dem John Van Sant III Dem
14th New Seat Peter Schwartzkopf Dem
15th Bruce Reynolds Rep Bruce Reynolds Rep
16th William Houghton Dem William Houghton Dem
17th Michael Mulrooney Dem Michael Mulrooney Dem
18th Terry Spence Rep Terry Spence Rep
19th Robert Gilligan Dem Robert Gilligan Dem
20th Roger Roy Rep Roger Roy Rep
21st Pamela Maier Rep Pamela Maier Rep
22nd Joseph Miró Rep Joseph Miró Rep
23rd Timothy Boulden Rep Timothy Boulden Rep
Richard DiLiberto[d] Dem
24th William Orbele Jr. Rep William Orbele Jr. Rep
25th Stephanie Ulbrich Rep Stephanie Ulbrich Rep
26th John Viola Dem John Viola Dem
27th Vincet Lofink Rep Vincet Lofink Rep
28th Bruce Ennis Dem Bruce Ennis Dem
29th Pamela Thornburg Rep Pamela Thornburg Rep
30th George Quillen Rep George Quillen Rep
31st Nancy Wagner Rep Nancy Wagner Rep
32nd Donna Stone Rep Donna Stone Rep
33rd Wallace Caulk Jr. Rep Wallace Caulk Jr. Rep
34th Gerald Buckworth Rep Gerald Buckworth Rep
35th J. Benjamin Ewing Rep J. Benjamin Ewing Rep
36th V. George Carey Rep V. George Carey Rep
37th John Schroeder Dem Joseph Booth Rep
38th Shirley Price Dem Gerald Hocker Rep
39th Tina Fallon Rep Tina Fallon Rep
40th Clifford Lee Rep Clifford Lee Rep
41st Charles West Dem John Atkins Rep

Statewide

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Party Candi-
dates
Votes % Seats +/–
Republican 33 126,043 60.65% 29  3
Democratic 28 80,208 38.59% 12  3
Libertarian 6 761 0.37% 0  
Independent 4 681 0.33% 0  
Unaffialiated 1 132 0.06% 0  
Total 72 207,825 100% 41  
Popular vote
Republican
60.65%
Democratic
38.59%
Libertarian
0.37%
Independent
0.33%
Unaffaliated
0.06%
House seats
Republican
%
Democratic
%

Detailed Results

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District 1District 2District 3District 4District 5District 6District 7District 8District 9District 10District 11District 12District 13District 14District 15District 16District 17District 18District 19District 20District 21District 22District 23District 24District 25District 26District 27District 28District 29District 30District 31District 32District 33District 34District 35District 36District 37District 38District 39District 40District 41

Results of the 2002 Delaware House of Representatives election by district:[2][3]

District 1

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Incumbent Democrat Dennis Williams has represented the 1st district since 1994. Democratic primary

Delaware House of Representatives 1st district Democratic primary election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dennis Williams (incumbent) 1,423 72.49%
Democratic Samuel Pratcher Jr. 540 27.51%
Total votes 1,963 100%

General election

Delaware House of Representatives 1st district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dennis Williams (incumbent) 4,148 100%
Total votes 4,148 100%
Democratic hold

District 2

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The new 2nd district includes the homes of incumbent Democrats Al Plant Sr., who has represented the 2nd district since 1975, and Arthur Scott who has represented the 3rd district since 1994. Plant Sr. didn't seek re-election. Hazel Plant defeated Scott in the Democratic primary and went on to win the general election. Democratic primary

Delaware House of Representatives 2nd district Democratic primary election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Hazel Plant 478 30.33%
Democratic Arthur Scott (incumbent) 466 29.57%
Democratic Elizabeth Allen 266 16.88%
Democratic Gary Hutt 216 13.71%
Democratic Daniel Larnick 150 9.52%
Total votes 1,576 100%

General election

Delaware House of Representatives 2nd district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Hazel Plant 2,562 100%
Total votes 2,562 100%
Democratic hold

District 3

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The new 3rd district includes the home of incumbent Democrat Helene Keeley, who has represented the 5th district since 1996. Keeley was re-elected here. Democratic primary

Delaware House of Representatives 3rd district Democratic primary election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Helene Keeley (incumbent) 685 78.11%
Democratic Linda Cannon 192 21.89%
Total votes 877 100%

General election

Delaware House of Representatives 3rd district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Helene Keeley (incumbent) 2,153 73.66%
Republican Calvin Brown 770 26.34%
Total votes 2,923 100%
Democratic hold

District 4

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Incumbent Republican Joseph G. Di Pinto has represented the 4th district since 1986.

Delaware House of Representatives 4th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joseph G. Di Pinto (incumbent) 5,200 100%
Total votes 5,200 100%
Republican hold

District 5

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The new 5th district is located in New Castle County and includes much of Bear. The district has no incumbent. Democrat Melanie George won the open seat. Democratic primary

Delaware House of Representatives 5th district Democratic primary election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Melanie George 376 91.93%
Democratic William McMurray 33 8.07%
Total votes 409 100%

General election

Delaware House of Representatives 5th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Melanie George 2,777 100%
Total votes 2,777 100%
Democratic win (new seat)

District 6

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Incumbent Republican David Ennis has represented the 6th district since 1983.

Delaware House of Representatives 6th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican David Ennis (incumbent) 4,228 62.87%
Democratic David Dennett 2,372 35.27%
Libertarian Carl Dunn 125 1.86%
Total votes 6,725 100%
Republican hold

District 7

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The new 7th district includes the home of incumbent Republican, who Wayne Smith has represented the 7th district since 1990, and Democrat David Brady, who has represented the 8th district since 1982. Smith defeated Brady in the general election.

Delaware House of Representatives 7th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Wayne Smith (incumbent) 4,278 52.07%
Democratic David Brady (incumbent) 3,864 47.03%
Libertarian Barbara Beeghley 74 0.90%
Total votes 8,216 100%
Republican hold

District 8

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The new 8th district is located in southwestern New Castle County and northwestern Kent County. The district which includes Middletown, Townsend, and Clayton has no incumbent. Democrat Bethany Hall-Long won the open seat.

Delaware House of Representatives 8th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bethany Hall-Long 3,591 60.73%
Republican William Hutchinson 2,322 39.27%
Total votes 5,913 100%
Democratic win (new seat)

District 9

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Incumbent Republican Richard Cathcart has represented the 9th district since 1998.

Delaware House of Representatives 9th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard Cathcart (incumbent) 4,921 100%
Total votes 4,921 100%
Republican hold

District 10

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Incumbent Republican Robert Valihura Jr. has represented the 10th district since 1998.

Delaware House of Representatives 10th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert Valihura Jr. (incumbent) 4,801 91.90%
Libertarian George Smith 423 8.10%
Total votes 5,224 100%
Republican hold

District 11

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Incumbent Republican Gregory Lavelle has represented the 11th district since 2001.

Delaware House of Representatives 11th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gregory Lavelle (incumbent) 4,961 65.73%
Democratic Michael Paul 2,586 34.27%
Total votes 7,547 100%
Republican hold

District 12

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Incumbent Republican Deborah Hudson has represented the 12th district since 1994.

Delaware House of Representatives 12th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Deborah Hudson (incumbent) 5,939 100%
Total votes 5,939 100%
Republican hold

District 13

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Incumbent Democrat John Van Sant III has represented the 13th district since 1982. Democratic primary

Delaware House of Representatives 13th district Democratic primary election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Van Sant III (incumbent) 648 77.70%
Democratic William Mahon 186 22.30%
Total votes 834 100%

General election

Delaware House of Representatives 13th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Van Sant III (incumbent) 3,894 100%
Total votes 3,894 100%
Democratic hold

District 14

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The new 14th district is located in Sussex County and includes much of Rehoboth Beach. The district has no incumbent. Democrat Peter Schwartzkopf won the open seat. Republican primary

Delaware House of Representatives 5th district Republican primary election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Michael Meoli 884 60.59%
Republican Harry Crystal 575 39.41%
Total votes 1,459 100%

General election

Delaware House of Representatives 14th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Peter Schwartzkopf 4,530 53.09%
Republican Michael Meoli 3,932 46.09%
Libertarian Everett Wodiska 70 0.82%
Total votes 8,532 100%
Democratic win (new seat)

District 15

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Incumbent Republican Bruce Reynolds has represented the 15th district since 1988.

Delaware House of Representatives 15th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bruce Reynolds (incumbent) 2,781 54.74%
Democratic Valerie Longhurst 2,299 45.26%
Total votes 5,080 100%
Republican hold

District 16

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Incumbent Democrat William Houghton has represented the 16th district since 1982. Democratic primary

Delaware House of Representatives 16th district Democratic primary election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William Houghton (incumbent) 863 50.88%
Democratic Herman Holloway Jr. 833 49.12%
Total votes 1,696 100%

General election

Delaware House of Representatives 16th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William Houghton (incumbent) 3,723 100%
Total votes 3,723 100%
Democratic hold

District 17

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Incumbent Democrat Michael Mulrooney has represented the 17th district since 1998.

Delaware House of Representatives 17th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Michael Mulrooney (incumbent) 4,340 100%
Total votes 4,340 100%
Democratic hold

District 18

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Incumbent Republican and House Speaker Terry Spence has represented the 18th district and its predecessors since 1980.

Delaware House of Representatives 18th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Terry Spence (incumbent) 3,221 100%
Total votes 3,221 100%
Republican hold

District 19

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Incumbent Democrat and Minority Leader Robert Gilligan has represented the 19th district since 1972.

Delaware House of Representatives 19th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert Gilligan (incumbent) 4,661 100%
Total votes 4,661 100%
Democratic hold

District 20

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Incumbent Republican Roger Roy has represented the 20th district since 1976.

Delaware House of Representatives 20th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Roger Roy (incumbent) 6,352 100%
Total votes 6,352 100%
Republican hold

District 21

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Incumbent Republican Pamela Maier has represented the 21st district since 1994.

Delaware House of Representatives 21st district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Pamela Maier (incumbent) 5,266 100%
Total votes 5,266 100%
Republican hold

District 22

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Incumbent Republicans Joseph Miró has represented the 22nd district since 1998.

Delaware House of Representatives 22nd district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joseph Miró (incumbent) 5,872 100%
Total votes 5,872 100%
Republican hold

District 23

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The new 23rd district includes the homes of Incumbent Republican Timothy Boulden, who has represented the 23rd district since 1994, and Democrat Richard DiLiberto, who has represented the 14th district since 1992. DiLiberto retired to run for the state senate and Boulden was re-elected here.

Delaware House of Representatives 23rd district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Timothy Boulden (incumbent) 3,228 53.01%
Democratic Judith Hendricks 2,861 46.99%
Total votes 6,089 100%
Republican hold

District 24

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Incumbent Republican William Orbele Jr. has represented the 24th district since 1976.

Delaware House of Representatives 24th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William Orbele Jr. (incumbent) 3,010 100%
Total votes 3,010 100%
Republican hold

District 25

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Incumbent Republican Stephanie Ulbrich has represented the 25th district since 1994.

Delaware House of Representatives 25th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Stephanie Ulbrich (incumbent) 2,581 60.26%
Democratic Stephanie McClellan 1,702 39.74%
Total votes 4,283 100%
Republican hold

District 26

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Incumbent Democrat John Viola has represented the 26th district since 1998.

Delaware House of Representatives 26th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Viola (incumbent) 3,123 95.94%
Independent J. Oliver Lannak 132 4.06%
Total votes 3,255 100%
Democratic hold

District 27

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Incumbent Republican Vincet Lofink has represented the 27th district since 1990.

Delaware House of Representatives 27th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Vincet Lofink (incumbent) 3,808 100%
Total votes 3,808 100%
Republican hold

District 28

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Incumbent Democrat Bruce Ennis has represented the 28th district since 1982.

Delaware House of Representatives 28th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bruce Ennis (incumbent) 2,678 59.87%
Republican Mark Pugh 1,754 39.21%
Libertarian Terri Lewis 41 0.92%
Total votes 4,473 100%
Democratic hold

District 29

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Incumbent Republican Pamela Thornburg has represented the 29th district since 2000.

Delaware House of Representatives 29th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Pamela Thornburg (incumbent) 3,445 71.22%
Democratic Dess Stokes 1,392 28.78%
Total votes 4,837 100%
Republican hold

District 30

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Incumbent Republican George Quillen has represented the 30th district since 1982.

Delaware House of Representatives 30th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George Quillen (incumbent) 3,352 66.42%
Democratic Rose Pritchett 1,695 33.58%
Total votes 5,047 100%
Republican hold

District 31

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Incumbent Republican Nancy Wagner has represented the 31st district since 1992.

Delaware House of Representatives 31st district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Nancy Wagner (incumbent) 3,162 63.15%
Democratic Prameela Kaza 1,845 36.85%
Total votes 5,007 100%
Republican hold

District 32

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Incumbent Republican Donna Stone has represented the 32nd district since 1994.

Delaware House of Representatives 32nd district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Donna Stone (incumbent) 2,192 55.96%
Democratic William Daisey 1,697 43.32%
Libertarian J. Lawrence 28 0.71%
Total votes 3,917 100%
Republican hold

District 33

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Incumbent Republican Wallace Caulk Jr. has represented the 33rd district since 1984.

Delaware House of Representatives 33rd district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Wallace Caulk Jr. (incumbent) 3,487 61.72%
Democratic D. Ken Cox 2,163 38.28%
Total votes 5,650 100%
Republican hold

District 34

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Incumbent Republican Gerald Buckworth has represented the 34th district since 1980.

Delaware House of Representatives 34th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gerald Buckworth (incumbent) 4,560 100%
Total votes 4,560 100%
Republican hold

District 35

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Incumbent Republican J. Benjamin Ewing has represented the 35th district since 1986.

Delaware House of Representatives 35th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican J. Benjamin Ewing (incumbent) 3,512 92.64%
Independent Party Quentin Wilkerson Sr. 279 7.36%
Total votes 3,791 100%
Republican hold

District 36

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Incumbent Republican V. George Carey has represented the 36th district since 1984.

Delaware House of Representatives 36th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican V. George Carey (incumbent) 4,134 66.73%
Democratic Douglas Ingram 1,812 29.25%
Independent Party John Stenger 249 4.02%
Total votes 6,195 100%
Republican hold

District 37

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Incumbent Democrat John Schroeder has represented the 37th district since 1989. Schroeder lost re-election to Republican Joseph Booth.

Delaware House of Representatives 37th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joseph Booth 3,269 50.34%
Democratic John Schroeder (incumbent) 3,225 49.66%
Total votes 6,494 100%
Republican gain from Democratic

District 38

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Incumbent Democrat Shirley Price has represented the 38th district since 1997. Price lost re-election to Republican Gerald Hocker.

Delaware House of Representatives 38th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gerald Hocker 4,436 49.78%
Democratic Shirley Price (incumbent) 4,379 49.14%
Independent Party Donna Layfield Sinnamon 97 1.09%
Total votes 8,912 100%
Republican gain from Democratic

District 39

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Incumbent Republican Tina Fallon has represented the 39th district since 1978.

Delaware House of Representatives 39th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tina Fallon (incumbent) 3,176 66.95%
Democratic Michael McGroerty 1,568 33.05%
Total votes 4,744 100%
Republican hold

District 40

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Incumbent Republican Clifford Lee has represented the 40th district since 1990.

Delaware House of Representatives 40th district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Clifford Lee (incumbent) 4,196 100%
Total votes 4,196 100%
Republican hold

District 41

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Incumbent Democrat Charles West has represented the 41st district since 1979. West didn't seek re-election and Republican John Atkins won the open seat. Democratic primary

Delaware House of Representatives 41st district Democratic primary election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Donald Ward 697 67.28%
Democratic Lynn Bullock 339 32.72%
Total votes 1,036 100%

General election

Delaware House of Representatives 41st district general election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Atkins 3,897 59.76%
Democratic Donald Ward 2,568 39.38%
Independent Party M. Joyce Thurmon 56 0.86%
Total votes 6,521 100%
Republican gain from Democratic

Notes

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  1. ^ Redistricted from the 3rd district.
  2. ^ Redistricted from the 5th district.
  3. ^ Redistricted from the 8th district.
  4. ^ Redistricted from the 14th district.

References

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  1. ^ "Delaware House of Representatives elections, 2002". Ballotpedia. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  2. ^ "Primary Election (Official Results)". State of Delaware Department of Elections. September 10, 2002. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  3. ^ "General Election (Official Results)". State of Delaware Department of Elections. November 8, 2002. Retrieved December 24, 2023.