Delaware Republican Party
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Republican State Committee of Delaware
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Chairperson | Charlie Copeland |
| Senate leader | F. Gary Simpson |
| House leader | Danny Short |
| Ideology |
Conservatism Fiscal conservatism Social conservatism |
| National affiliation | Republican Party |
| Colors | Red |
| Seats in the Upper House |
10 / 21
|
| Seats in the Lower House |
16 / 41
|
| Website | |
| www.delawaregop.com | |
The Republican State Committee of Delaware is the affiliate of the United States Republican Party (GOP) in Delaware. Developed during the Civil War era, the GOP of Delaware remains one of the two biggest parties in Delaware. Famous Americans such as Thomas Coleman Dupont, John Williams, and J. Caleb Boggs all made their claim of fame serving the Republican Party in various state and federal positions. As of October 2015, its headquarters are in the College Square Shopping Center in Newark, Delaware. As a party representing the three counties of Delaware, the party also has offices in other parts of the state as well. These regional offices are located in Dover, and Georgetown.
The Republican State Committee of Delaware got its start in the mid-1800s when the American Party (a group dedicated to prohibition of alcohol), People's Party, and former Whigs reformed under the Union Party. This party was dedicated to preserve the Union in the time of Lincoln's election. While Delaware did not secede from the Union, Delaware Democrats and other supporters often opposed Lincoln's policies. The Republican party struggled to gain control in the state from 1865 to 1898 with the Democratic Party maintaining control of both the federal and state level of government. However, changes in industry and the arrival of immigrants in key locations would soon spell the rise of the Republican party in Delaware.
With industry and business slowly overtaking agriculture in the state, the Republican Party in Delaware began to develop the support it needed to overthrow the long incumbent Democratic Party. However, the rise of the party was not complete without some controversial actions. As it was common in the era, the late 1800s was rife with voter corruption and illegal election techniques. One candidate, John Addicks, was infamous for attempting to buy a U.S. Senate seat by exploiting the rising party. Republicans in the state divided on the issue with Regular Republicans opposing Addicks while Union Republicans supported him. Although Addicks didn't win election in 1899 or 1901, his corrupt tactics led to a vacation of the U.S. Senate seat for over ten years. However, Addick's corruption proved to be only a small speed bump. With industry as a growing part of the Delaware economy, the Republican Party began to grow in popularity. With men such as Henry Du pont and T. Colemon Du pont (Both members of the famous industrial Du pont family) leading the way, the Republican Party quickly gained power in the state and various government positions.
By 1915, Republicans controlled the Delaware Senate by a margin of 12 to 5 and the House by 23 to 10. Governors of the state remained Republican candidates from 1897 up until 1936. With the exception of ratifying the 19th Amendment on a state level (once the U.S. Constitution accepted it, then Delaware did as well), the Republican majority in both the federal and state level dominated legislation until the mid-1930s.
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