Senator Kyle Evans Gay speaks during a Senate session on in 2022.

Delaware State News/Marc Clery

Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, D-Talleyville.

legis.delaware.gov

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By Joseph Edelen

DOVER— State Sen. Kyle Evans Gay of Talleyville has won the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, according to the Department of Elections unofficial results for Tuesday’s contested primary.

Sen. Gay won with approximately 48% of the vote compared to 37% for state Rep. Sherry Dorsey Walker of Wilmington and nearly 15% for retired U.S. Army Colonel and Delaware Democratic Party Vice Chair Debbie Harrington of Middletown.

In a statement following her primary win, the senator thanked her family, her campaign team and the voters for their support of her candidacy.

"Elections are about what we want for the future of our communities and I'm so proud of the campaign that we have run as we consider what is possible for Delaware. We have prioritized the issues that matter to Delawareans from Claymont to Delmar like ensuring a future with equitable education, safe communities, access to healthcare, and an economy that works for everyone," Sen. Gay said.

"We have spent time talking to community leaders and neighbors for over a year and today we are excited to see our hard work pay off. I'm ready to continue this momentum as we work towards the election in November!"

Her candidacy now heads to the general election, where she will face off with Republican lieutenant governor nominee Ruth Briggs King, who represented the Georgetown area in the state House of Representatives from 2009 to her resignation in late 2023.

During her time in the General Assembly, Sen. Gay has worked to protect reproductive freedom, enhance gun safety throughout the state, expand access to voting and has led the effort to reform Delaware’s child care system.

She led initiatives to enact vote-by-mail legislation — though it was later overturned by Delaware Supreme Court — and to launch an automatic voter registration system through the Division of Motor Vehicles for Delaware voters.

After their colleague's primary win, Senate Democratic leadership – President Pro Tempore Dave Sokola of Newark, Majority Leader Bryan Townsend of Newark and Majority Whip Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman of Wilmington – reacted to Sen. Gay's election win.

“In the years we’ve worked with Senator Gay in the Senate, we have known her to be a fearless champion for women and families — working to expand abortion access, protect voting rights, make childcare more affordable, and codify equal rights for all Delawareans,” the Democratic leaders’ statement read.

“She has run a positive, issues-focused campaign that has resonated with voters across our state who are excited to elect a new generation of leadership. We’re proud to stand by her in her bid to become Delaware’s next Lieutenant Governor.”

Both Sen. Gay and Ms. Briggs King will be on the ballot for the Nov. 5 general election, when voters decide which candidate will succeed term-limited Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long.

The incumbent lieutenant governor finished second in Tuesday’s three-way Democratic gubernatorial primary, with New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer receiving the party’s nomination for the office of Delaware’s chief executive.

Department of Elections