GEORGETOWN, Del.- Voters in parts of Sussex County, specifically in Georgetown, Lewes and Millsboro, are deciding who will represent them in Delaware's 37th House District.
Unofficial results indicate Republican Valerie Jones Giltner won with 1,805 votes to Democrat Jane Hovington's 1,068 votes.
Indian River School District was closed today to accommodate voter participation.
The special election follows GOP Representative Ruth Briggs King's resignation last month.
Briggs King, in office since 2009, holds significance for many voters aiming to maintain Republican representation in the position. "It's hard when you have the Delaware Legislature controlled by one party so much; it is hard for the other one to get anything done," expressed Ronald Holloway.
Others prioritize a candidate's character over party affiliations. "Whether it is Democrat or Republican, I still think it is the person themselves... Whatever you say you're gonna do, just do it," remarked Brent Lee Lewis of Georgetown.
According to the Department of Elections, around 2,891 votes have been counted.
The outcome of this special election held weight for the Delaware State House, potentially bringing it within two seats of a Democratic supermajority for the 2024 election if Democrat Hovington had won.
Voters like Bud Wroter said this was a major consideration in the voting booth today.
Polls closed around 8 p.m. Polling locations in the area included North Georgetown Elementary School, Georgetown Elementary School on West Market Street, Zoar Church Hall in Millsboro, Sussex Central High School, Lighthouse Baptist Church on John J. Williams Highway, Cool Spring Presbyterian Church in Lewes, Sussex Tech High School, Howard T. Ennis School, New Life Bible Fellowship Church in Millsboro, and Sports at the Beach in Georgetown.
