04/27/2008 6:02 PM ET
DOVER, Del.- Political observers say the landscape in Delaware is changing and elections officials say the number of Democrats is growing in the First State. Democrats are now hoping to take control of the state House for the first time in years.
Brad Bennett is no stranger to politics. After all, his father served in the Delaware legislature in the 1980s. Bennett is now running for his father's old House seat as a Democrat. And he said that on the campaign trial he has noticed people want a change in leadership.
"Basically a lot of them are upset about the direction Delaware has been heading the last few years. So yes they are looking for change," Bennett said.
Bennett and other Democrats are hoping to take control of Delaware's House of Representatives.
And Delaware State University political science professor Dr. Sam Hoff said that is a real possibility.
"Delaware is one for those states most impacted by a move toward the Democratic Party," Hoff said. "So for Republicans, whether it's the governor race or keeping the House, certainly they have their hands full."
Hoff said national issues such as the war in Iraq and a worsening economy have turned some Delaware voters off to Republicans. In fact, according to the Department of Elections, more than 4,000 Delaware voters changed their party affiliation to Democrat between February and April.
Hoff said a close Democratic gubernatorial primary race between Jack Markell and John Carney could also be leading to the change.
The Republicans so far do not have a serious candidate. But Republicans in Delaware said they will keep control of the House. They also said they still have a strong base of conservative voters.
"The Democrats will try and take the House. We feel like we can hold the house and we're in a good position to pick up some seats, or protect the seats we have now," said former Sussex County GOP Chair Dave Burris.
Next Saturday Delaware Republicans will hold their state convention to pick a candidate for governor. Some Republicans said Sunday predict it will be Judge Bill Lee, who ran against Governor Ruth Ann Minner in 2004.
