Matt Meyer (D) won the Democratic primary for Governor of Delaware on September 10, 2024, defeating Bethany Hall-Long (D) and Collin O’Mara (D).
Spotlight Delaware’s Karl Baker wrote that the trio’s campaign funds “far surpass[ed] past fundraising totals in gubernatorial races at the same stage of the campaign, except those from the 2008 contest—the last time Democrats held a competitive primary for governor.”
Meyer studied computer science and political science at Brown University before moving to Kenya, where he created the footwear company Ecosandals. He then served as a diplomat in Iraq for 12 months. Meyer taught middle school math in Delaware and was elected New Castle County executive in 2016.
Meyer ran on his experience as a teacher and county executive. He said, “As the only candidate in this race who has managed a government, we’ve delivered one of the only property tax reductions in Delaware history while also delivering real results for hard-working families. I know we can deliver at the state level, too.” Meyer said he was uniquely qualified to address public education, which would be his focus as governor: “We have never, not in over a hundred years, elected a public school teacher to run our state. I have that public school experience.” Meyer completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey.
Hall-Long was elected lieutenant governor in 2016. Governor John Carney (D), who was unable to run for re-election due to term limits, endorsed Hall-Long. Hall-Long was a state senator from 2008-2017 and a state representative from 2002-2008. She is a professor of nursing and joint faculty in urban affairs at the University of Delaware.
Hall-Long ran on her political and medical experience. She said, “I’m proud of my record of innovative ideas like leveraging public-private partnerships to help students in need through the Basic Needs Closet, creating the Behavioral Health Consortium, and managing Delaware’s robust pandemic recovery, and I’m ready to lead on day one.” Hall-Long said her priorities as governor would include “growing our state’s workforce, implementing universal childcare and early education, supporting sustainable growth and an economy that works for everyone, increasing access to affordable housing, and protecting our environment from climate change and pollution.”
O’Mara earned a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and Oxford University before serving as a University Fellow at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. He earned a master’s degree from Syracuse University and was an adjunct professor of climate change and environmental justice at the University of Delaware. O’Mara was the Secretary of Natural Resources and Environmental Control from 2009-2014 and is the chief executive officer of the National Wildlife Federation.
O’Mara described himself as the most progressive candidate, saying, “I’m running for governor to offer an ambitious agenda and provide a progressive alternative on the ballot for Democrats. Being the First State can’t just be our history, it has to be our future.” O’Mara’s top priorities included updating the public school funding formula, providing universal pre-K and free school meals, and achieving 100% clean electricity.
Meyer will face Michael Ramone (R) in the November 5, 2024 general election. Delaware has a Democratic trifecta, meaning the Democratic Party controls the governorship and both state legislature chambers. As of the 2024 primary, Delaware has not had a Republican governor since 1992.
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