Republican Valerie Jones Giltner Prevails in Delaware State House District 37
The special election was called following the resignation of State Representative Ruth Briggs King (R).
The special election occurred today to fill a vacancy in the Delaware House of Representatives. This is the first special election in 2023 for the state’s lower legislative chamber, with no additional vacancies at this time. The local political parties selected the Democratic and Republican candidates.
The special election for Delaware State House District 37 was called following the resignation of State Representative Ruth Briggs King, a Republican, after she moved out of the district. She represented this district from September 2009 to November 2023.
Republican Valerie Jones Giltner has been declared the winner in the special election. The race was called in her favor as she’s currently leading with 62.83% against Democrat Jane Hovington with 37.17%. 2,873 votes have been counted.
Giltner is a Sussex County retired critical care nurse and health care consultant.
Hovington is currently the Chair of the Sussex County Democratic Party and the Chair of the Georgetown Board of Adjustment.
Delaware State House District 37 is based in Georgetown, in the southern portion of the state. Notably, Briggs King won re-election unopposed in this district in 2018, 2020 and 2022.
Once Giltner is sworn-in, Democrats will maintain control of the Delaware House of Representatives with a 26-15 majority against Republicans. All 41 seats will next be up for regular two-year terms in November 2024.