Delaware Voter Guide

Published in the News Journal for the 2018 Mid-Term Elections. 

Welcome to the 2018 Election Delaware Voter Guide, a collaboration between DelawareOnline, Network Delaware and Revitalize Delaware. This guide will give you information about the election process and the candidates vying to represent you.

We’ve asked each candidate to submit a short introduction of themselves as well as their websites and social media, so voters can follow up and learn more about each person running for office.

When do I vote?
Tuesday, Nov. 6, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

How do I know what I’m voting for?
There are five statewide offices up for election: U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, Delaware Attorney General, Delaware State Treasurer, and Delaware State Auditor of Accounts. Depending on where you live, you may also be able to vote in races for the Delaware General Assembly and for local offices, like county council or sheriff.

Where do I vote in Delaware?
Look up your polling place and print out a sample ballot.

Learn more: To answer other questions about voting not listed in this voter guide, like checking on the status of your registration, absentee ballots, or polling place cards, visit ivote.de.gov or elections.delaware.gov.

State Treasurer Ken Simpler Candidate Q&A

Candidate for: Delaware State Treasurer
Political Party: Republican
Candidate Age: 51

Delaware Voter Guide Question for Delaware State Treasurer Candidates: Please express in 250 characters or less who you are, why you are running for office, and any major issues you’d like your constituents to know about.

Candidate statement: The way we govern our finances impacts every Delaware family, business and non-profit. As your State Treasurer, I’ve worked across state government, and across political aisles, with a focus on improving the value of what we get for what we spend.

Extended statement (Statewide candidates only):

The way we govern our finances impacts every Delaware family, business and non-profit. As your State Treasurer, I’ve worked across state government, and across political aisles, with a focus on improving the value of what we get for what we spend. I have applied lessons from my career as a CFO and investment manager to fix the things that determine if we prosper together as a people:

• Budgeting for Success: Sponsored reforms to our $4 billion state budgeting process that bring more certainty and sustainability to the things that we all rely on — education, safety, healthcare, and transportation.
• Generating State Funds: Redesigned our $2 billion investment portfolio to ensure safety while stretching every dollar — the interest generated this past year almost doubled the 10-year average!
• Achieving Retirement Readiness: Overhauled the 20-year old, $1 billion savings plan so 33,000 state employees have a nationally recognized, award-winning platform to help secure their retirement.
• Maximizing Our Productivity: Implemented a strategic planning process to develop our most valuable asset — our people. Operations have improved on key metrics while 75% of positions have been reclassified to foster professional growth.

Looking ahead, I will continue to create value for all Delawareans and work to get better together. We can improve the efficiency of our $10 billion in spending, make the most of our $2 billion in borrowings and secure funding for valuable programs that preserve farmland [Ag Lands Preservation Board] support volunteer fire companies and improve the lives of persons with disabilities [ABLE Accounts].