Low turnout, major upsets shape Delaware Primary Election

Delaware’s primary election produced a series of high-profile upsets, with several longtime lawmakers defeated by challengers as voter turnout remained low. Just 21.75% of the state’s 593,286 registered voters cast ballots, setting the stage for a November election that will feature new faces in the General Assembly and local government.

Among the election’s biggest stories was the strong performance of candidates endorsed by the Working Families Party, which celebrated five notable victories across legislative and county races in New Castle and Kent counties. Two of those wins came against lawmakers with more than 15 years of public service.

In Wilmington’s 2nd Representative District, Michelle H. Booker unseated longtime state Rep. Stephanie T. Bolden, ending one of the longest legislative careers in the General Assembly. Another major upset occurred in the Smyrna area, where Tyeisha "Tye" Grier defeated state Rep. William Carson, who had represented the district since 2008.

In Wilmington’s 3rd Representative District, Branden Fletcher-Dominguez won a competitive four-way Democratic primary, receiving 43.19% of the vote. He defeated incumbent state Rep. Josue Ortega, Wilmington City Councilwoman Yolanda McCoy and state employee LaDonna Graham.

The anti-incumbent trend continued in the 16th Representative District, where Pamela Salaam defeated state Rep. Franklin D. Cooke Jr., who was seeking a third term.

The Working Families Party also celebrated victories in Senate and county races. In Senate District 5, Shay Frisby defeated Ray Siegfried. Other winners included incumbent Sherae'a Moore in House District 8 and Kira Alejandro in New Castle County Council District 3.

Other newcomers also secured Democratic nominations. Ayanna Khan-Flowers won in the 9th Representative District, while Rae Krantz defeated Ed Mulvihill in the open race for the 6th Representative District seat.

Not every Working Families Party-backed candidate prevailed.

In one of Wilmington’s most closely watched rematches, City Councilwoman Shané Darby lost to incumbent state Rep. Nnamdi O. Chukwuocha by 504 votes. The result was a wider margin than their previous contest four years earlier, when Chukwuocha won by 90 votes.

In Senate District 1, former Red Clay Consolidated School District board member Adriana Bohm narrowly lost to incumbent Sen. Dan Cruce by 146 votes. Bohm won the Election Day vote total but could not overcome her deficits in absentee and early voting.

Other challengers also fell short. Sen. Nicole Poore defeated Keonna Watson in Senate District 12, Rep. Kim Williams defeated Will Imbrie-Moore in the 19th Representative District and Valerie George defeated Syam Kosigi in New Castle County Council District 5.

In New Castle County, Jason Hoover won the Democratic primary for the 4th District council seat, defeating Helena M. Creamer and Curtis Dauntell Linton, a labor leader endorsed by Councilman Penrose Hollins who retired leaving the seat open.

The primary results secured Democratic nominations for the November election, although several candidates still face opponents from other parties.

Fletcher-Dominguez will face Republican Shawn Dottery and independent candidate “Dizzy” Bland. Krantz will face Republican Tanya Hettler, while Salaam will face Republican Enala Mwashitete. In Senate District 5, Frisby will compete against Republican Brent Burdge and independent Carolyn Frank. Alejandro will face Republican Melissa Brayman in the New Castle County Council District 3 race.

To see a full list of results, visit the official Delaware Department of Elections 2026 Primary Elections report page.