Republican State Committee of Delaware

Republican State Committee of Delaware
Chairman	John C. Sigler
Senate leader	F. Gary Simpson
House leader	?
Ideology	Conservatism, Social conservatism, Fiscal conservatism
National affiliation	Republican Party
Official colors	Red
Seats in the Upper House	7 / 21
Seats in the Lower House	15 / 41
Politics of the United States Political parties Elections

The Republican State Committee of Delaware is the affiliate of the United States Republican Party in Delaware. Its headquarters are in the Cannery Shopping Center in unincorporated New Castle County, Delaware.^[1][2][3] The party has regional offices in Dover, Georgetown, Newark, unincorporated New Castle County near Wilmington, and unincorporated Sussex County near Rehoboth Beach.^[1]

Beginning

The Republican State Committee of Delaware got its start in the mid 1800's 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.^[4] 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.

The RSC's first rise to prominence

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.^[5] Although Addicks didn't win election in 1899 or 1901, his corrupt tactics led to a vacate U.S. Senate seat for over ten years.^[6] However, Addick's corruption proved to be only a small speed bump. By 1915, Republicans controlled the Delaware Senate by a margin of 12 to 5 and the House by 23 to 10. ^[7]Governors of the state remained Republican candidates from 1897 up until 1936.

Trading time with the Democrats

The modern era of the Republican Party of Delaware has largely consisted of the party trading off stretches of dominance with the opposing Democratic Party. Two Republicans, John Williams and J. Caleb Boggs, compromised 2/3 of the "Big Three" in Delaware politics during the early mid 1900s.^[8] Williams would end up serving in the U.S. Senate from 1946 to 1971 while Boggs won seven state wide elections consisting of governor, U.S. House of Representatives, and U.S. Senate from 1947 to 1973.

Policies

The Republican State Committee's official statement on their party's goal provides an all encompassing focus on both national and local issues. It states "The party's goal is to defend the principles of less government, more personal freedom and a strong national defense. Republicans believe that Delawareans do best when empowered to make decisions for themselves, and that businesses most need a fair, free and predictable regulatory framework in order to prosper and create jobs." More detailed stances on policies are listed below.

National defense The RSC of Delaware believes in establishing peace through a strong defense. Strong homeland security, confronting terrorist and national threats, and maintaining a strong intelligence network all comprise this policy. The Republican Committee also believes in establishing international relations in the quest to establish peace. However, it also believes that the United States can and should act unilaterally when it deems necessary.

Health care The party's stance on health care revolves around the concept of "common sense" health care. The party believes that a government health care program will negatively effect patient/doctor relations, reduce competition, and won't promote quality health care. Instead, the RSC believes that competition will lead to lower cost and higher quality care.

Energy policies Energy independence is the major principal behind the party's policy. The Republican Committee of Delaware supports

Statewide officer

In 2011, Republicans control one of the six statewide elected offices.

• Auditor: R. Thomas Wagner, Jr.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Regional headquarters." Republican State Committee of Delaware. Retrieved on May 13, 2010.
2. ^ Miller, Beth. The News Journal. September 10, 2008. Retrieved on May 13, 2010.
3. ^ "District 7." City of Wilmington. Retrieved on May 13, 2010.
4. ^ Boyer, William and Edward C. Ratledge. Delaware Politics and Government. Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. 2009.
5. ^ Boyer, William and Edward C. Ratledge. Delaware Politics and Government. Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. 2009.
6. ^ Boyer, William and Edward C. Ratledge. Delaware Politics and Government. Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. 2009.
7. ^ Boyer, William and Edward C. Ratledge. Delaware Politics and Government. Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. 2009.
8. ^ Boyer, William and Edward C. Ratledge. Delaware Politics and Government. Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. 2009.

External links

Delaware portal

• Republican State Committee of Delaware