WILMINGTON — In the first primary challenge a House speaker has faced in at least 30 years, Rep. Peter Schwartzkopf had no trouble against fellow Democrat Don Peterson.
Peter Schwartzkopf
Rep. Schwartzkopf, first elected to the 14th Representative District in 2002, garnered 74 percent of the vote in the district, which covers the Rehoboth Beach area.
He will face Republican James DeMartino on Nov. 8.
Mr. Peterson, making his first run for office, had presented himself as a more liberal alternative to the speaker.
In one of two open legislative seats, Charles Postles prevailed in a three-way Republican primary. The 33rd Representative District, a southeast Kent County seat formerly held by the late Rep. Harold “Jack” Peterman, will be contested by Mr. Postles and Democrat Karen Williams in November.
Mr. Postles beat out Bob Scott and Morgan Hudson, pulling in about 46 percent of the vote with 99 percent of districts reporting.
Charles Postles
Rep. Peterman, a Republican, had endorsed Mr. Scott. Mr. Postles ran unsuccessfully in 2014 against Rep. Peterman.
All of the Republican candidates have advocated for shrinking state government and giving more aid to small businesses.
In Sussex, Rep. David Wilson defended his 35th Representative District seat against Bob Mitchell, winning 69 to 31 percent. A Republican, he has represented the seat since 2010 and will face Democrat Gary Wolfe in the general election.
Rep. David Wilson
Mr. Mitchell ran on the basis of reducing government spending and fighting tax increases.
None of the six lawmakers who faced primary opponents suffered a loss Tuesday.
Levy Court Commissioner Allan Angel held off Keith Mumford and, with no one else seeking the seat, will win a fourth consecutive term in November. He earned 63 percent of the vote Tuesday.
Allan Angel
In the Second District for Sussex County Council, incumbent Sam Wilson beat Republican challenger Lisa Hudson Briggs 56 to 44 percent.
No one else is seeking the Second District seat, meaning Mr. Wilson is all but assured of victory in two months.
I.G. Burton triumphed over three other Republicans in the Third District. He garnered 36 percent, with Mark Schaeffer second at 32 percent.
Joan Deaver, the lone Democrat on the council, is not seeking another term. Mr. Burton will face Democrat Leslie Ledogar.
Up in New Castle, Matt Meyer beat three-term County Executive Tom Gordon to claim the Democratic nomination.