Bonini sails to victory in GOP gubernatorial primary [video]
(Bonini campaign photo)
It was no contest for Delaware state Senator Colin Bonini, in the Republican primary for governor.
A grateful Bonini took almost 70 percent of the vote, beating GOP challenger Lacey Lafferty.
“I’m just so thankful that people have that faith in me,” said Bonini, at Fraizer’s Restaurant in Dover, where the state GOP held its “Unity Party.”
“I think people in Delaware are ready for changes. We’re not doing well in Delaware. Education, especially our economy, crime … and I think as Republicans, we’re gonna unify tonight and I think we’re gonna give people a real alternative choice, and I think they’re gonna make it.”
Tuesday night’s win pits the Dover senator against Congressman John Carney in November. Carney is favored to win in the solidly blue state, where Democrats outnumber Republicans 3 to 2.
“I gotta tell ya, nothing’s for sure. John [Carney] is a really good guy and he’s been a dedicated public servant and a friend,” Bonini said. “But you know what, we’ve had the same team in charge for a quarter century, things are not going well and I think Delawareans are going to be willing to give us a real serious look.”
In his victory speech, Bonini shared statistics he said illustrate Delaware’s decline under Democratic leadership:
1 in 6 Delawareans are on food stamps
1 in 4 are on Medicaid
1 in 5 children live in poverty
Delaware has experienced the lowest income growth in the last 8 years
Delawareans make $12,000 less annually than they did in 1999
The general election is Tuesday, November 8.
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