2004_Delaware_gubernatorial_election Knowpia

2004 Delaware gubernatorial election
	Minner: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% ; Lee: 40–50% 50–60%
Governor before election; Ruth Ann Minner; Democratic	Elected Governor ; Ruth Ann Minner; Democratic

The 2004 Delaware gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 2004, coinciding with the U.S. presidential election. Incumbent Governor Ruth Ann Minner faced a serious challenge from retired Superior Court Judge Bill Lee, but managed a five-point victory on election day. As of 2024, this was the last time Kent County voted for the Republican candidate in a gubernatorial election or that the statewide margin was within single digits.^{[original research?]}

Primaries edit

Democratic Party edit

Ruth Ann Minner, incumbent Governor of Delaware

Democratic primary results
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Ruth Ann Minner (incumbent)	41,671	100.00

Republican Party edit

Bill Lee, former Delaware Superior Court Justice
David Charles Graham, state government employee
Michael D. Protack, pilot

Republican primary results^[1]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	William Swain Lee	15,270	70.47
	Republican	Michael D. Protack	5,108	23.57
	Republican	David Charles Graham	1,292	5.96
Total votes			21,670	100.00

Independent Party/Libertarian Party edit

Frank Infante, Independent Party of Delaware and Libertarian Party of Delaware fusion ticket nominee

Campaign edit

Predictions edit

Source	Ranking	As of
Sabato's Crystal Ball^[2]	Likely D	November 1, 2004

Results edit

Delaware gubernatorial election, 2004^[3]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Ruth Ann Minner (incumbent)	185,548	50.87%	-8.38%
	Republican	William Swain Lee	167,008	45.79%	+6.04%
	Independent	Frank Infante	12,203	3.34%	+1.8%
Majority			18,540	5.08%	-14.42%
Turnout			364,759
	Democratic hold		Swing