Jack Markell wins race for governor

State Treasurer Jack Markell was elected governor yesterday, keeping the seat in Democratic hands for four more years.

Markell defeated Republican Bill Lee 67.5 percent to 32.0 percent in an election that saw a 68 percent turnout.

Markell, who was first elected State Treasurer in 1998, narrowly beat Lt. Gov. John Carney in a hard-fought gubernatorial primary election in September.

Lee is a retired Superior Court judge who became known statewide while presiding over the Tom Capano murder trial in 1998. He also ran for governor unsuccessfully in 2004.

Markell, a Newark native, will replace two-term Democratic governor Ruth Ann Minner, who could not run for a third term.

Markell ran on a platform that included bringing new jobs to Delaware, increasing alternative energy use in the state and making health care available to all Delawareans.

He advocates using Delaware's strengths - low corporate taxes and policies favorable to business - to bring new industries to the state.

"We need a new direction that fosters entrepreneurialism, helps grow small businesses and doesn't leave minority and creates thousands and thousands of good jobs," Markell stated in an e-mail message. "Right now, too many college graduates cannot find a well-paying job in Delaware, and that must change."

His platform called for investing in alternative energy, such as solar power and the wind farm that is planned for off the Delaware coast. He also supports tax incentives for residents who invest in energy-efficient measures for their homes.

According to his book "Blueprint for a Better Delaware," Markell would require those who can afford it to purchase minimum health care coverage and would use state funds to subsidize coverage for the poor.

The plan could cost up to $111 million, but much of that amount is already spent by hospitals to take care of the uninsured and is passed on in the form of higher premiums. He also proposes a 50-cent increase in the cigarette tax to help fund the initiative.

Paul Ruiz, president of the College Democrats, said Markell had strong student support and many university students volunteered for his campaign.

"His consistent message of change has resonated with our members," Ruiz said. "That's what we want - someone who brings a unique and fresh perspective to Dover."

Democrat Matt Denn, currently the Insurance Commissioner, was elected lieutenant governor, defeating Republican state Sen. Charlie Copeland. In Delaware, the governor and lieutenant are elected separately, not together on a ticket.

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