1990 United States Senate election in Delaware

none March 2026 March 2025 1990 United States Senate election in Delaware Delaware presidential no 1984 United States Senate election in Delaware 1984 1996 United States Senate election in Delaware 1996 November 6, 1990 150x150px File:Joe Biden, official 104th Congress photo.png Joe Biden Democratic Party (United States) 112,918 62.68% 3x4.svg M. Jane Brady Republican Party (United States) 64,554 35.83% 110px County results 110px State House district results 1 110px Biden: #7996E2 50–60% #6674DE 60–70% #584CDE 70–80% #3933E5 80–90% #0D0596 >90% U.S. Senator Joe Biden Democratic Party (United States) Joe Biden Democratic Party (United States) U.S. senator from Delaware The 1990 United States Senate election in Delaware was held on November 6, 1990. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Joe Biden won re-election to a fourth term, defeating Republican challenger Deputy Attorney General of Delaware M. Jane Brady. Brady decided to run because she felt that Biden's liberal voting record did not reflect the political positions of Delawareans. Brady's campaign raised around $245,000, but she was heavily outspent by Biden, who raised around $2.8 million. Libertarian candidate Lee Rosenbaum also ran but only received less than two percent of the vote. Debates between the three candidates occurred in late October and early November. Issues for the campaign included fiscal responsibility, the president's veto power, and the role of Congress in the nation's diplomatic relations. The election had a turnout rate of under 40% of registered voters. Biden won in a landslide with over 60% of the vote, improving on his 1984 margin, winning all three counties and all 41 State House of Representatives districts. Background 1984 United States Senate election in Delaware In 1984, despite Ronald Reagan's landslide presidential victory in the concurrent election,Raines Howell November 7, 1984 Reagan Wins By a Landslide, Sweeping at Least 48 States; G.O.P. Gains Strength in House https://www.nytimes.com/1984/11/07/politics/reagan-wins-by-a-landslide-sweeping-at-least-48-states-gop-gains.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20170825144938/http://www.nytimes.com/1984/11/07/politics/07REAG.html?pagewanted=1 August 25, 2017 March 12, 2025 The New York Times en-US 0362-4331 Joe Biden won re-election to a third term, defeating Republican challenger John M. Burris with a little over 60% of the vote.Ladd Thomas E. May 1, 1985 Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 6, 1984 https://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1984election.pdf live https://web.archive.org/web/20210129075653/https://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1984election.pdf January 29, 2021 March 11, 2025 Clerk of the United States House of Representatives 10 Due to Biden's popularity, Delaware Republicans struggled to find a candidate to challenge him. He was expected to easily win re-election. The election was held as part of the midterm election cycle of Republican President George H. W. Bush's term. Historically, the president's party struggles during the midterms.Elving Ron November 13, 2022 The midterms didn't produce a wave. Here's what that's meant historically https://www.npr.org/2022/11/13/1136103595/the-midterms-didnt-produce-a-wave-heres-what-thats-meant-historically 2025-04-01 NPR en Candidates Nominees Joe Biden (Democratic), incumbent Delaware senator running for a fourth termHarper 1991 2Biden, Joseph Robinette (Joe), Jr. (1942–) https://bioguideretro.congress.gov/Home/MemberDetails?memIndex=b000444 live https://web.archive.org/web/20250225204059/https://bioguideretro.congress.gov/Home/MemberDetails?memIndex=b000444 February 25, 2025 March 11, 2025 Biographical Directory of the United States Congress M. Jane Brady (Republican), a criminal prosecutor and Deputy Attorney General of DelawareHarper 1991 2The Honorable M. Jane Brady, Judge https://courts.delaware.gov/superior/aboutus/judges_profile_jbrady.aspx live https://web.archive.org/web/20211008192514/https://courts.delaware.gov/superior/aboutus/judges_profile_jbrady.aspx October 8, 2021 August 1, 2021 Delaware Superior Court Lee Rosenbaum (Libertarian), a data communications technicianHarper 1991 2Stewart Ann July 22, 1990 Libertarian Party sets ticket of candidates https://www.newspapers.com/image/159436052/?match=1&terms=Lee%20Rosenbaum March 22, 2025 The News Journal 1 Newspapers.com Eliminated in primaries David S. DeRiemer (Libertarian) Primaries At the 1990 Delaware Democratic Party state convention, Biden revealed that he was running for a fourth term, stating that he made the decision to seek re-election during a hospital stay.Cohen Celia March 4, 1990 Democrats eye '92 at annual powwow https://www.newspapers.com/image/159556564/?terms=Joe%20Biden March 22, 2025 The News Journal 15 Newspapers.com Biden echoed this statement in an interview with C-SPAN, saying that it was "[n]ot difficult at all. Ironically, it was less difficult than any of the other decisions." He added that he came significantly closer to not running in 1978 and 1984.https://www.c-span.org/program/interview/delaware-senate-campaign/151099 Delaware Senate Campaign August 6, 1990 Biden Joe Joe Biden Video C-SPAN 00:27 The Delaware Republican Party struggled to find a candidate to challenge Biden. Party chairman Basil Battaglia reached out to the newspaper The News Journal to help find candidates.Moyed Ralph February 18, 1990 Wanted! (Preferably alive) GOP candidates https://www.newspapers.com/image/159554495/?match=1&terms=Joe%20Biden March 22, 2025 The News Journal 21 Newspapers.com The party eventually reached out to Deputy Attorney General of Delaware M. Jane Brady due to her history as a criminal prosecutor.https://www.c-span.org/program/interview/delaware-senate-campaign/151098 Delaware Senate Campaign August 19, 1990 Brady M. Jane M. Jane Brady Video C-SPAN 00:36 March 12, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250215163441/https://www.c-span.org/program/interview/delaware-senate-campaign/151098 February 15, 2025 live She launched her campaign on May 16, 1990,Celia Cohen May 17, 1990 Jane Brady challenges Biden for Senate seat https://www.newspapers.com/image/159594216/?match=1&terms=Jane%20Brady March 18, 2025 The News Journal 1–2 Newspapers.com and resigned from her position shortly after.Cohen Celia September 11, 1994 Brady gets GOP blessing https://www.newspapers.com/image/157245398/?match=1&terms=Jane%20Brady March 22, 2025 The News Journal 1 Newspapers.com She stated that her decision to run was made after she learned of Biden's liberal voting record and felt that it "just does not reflect the views of the people of Delaware". Brady identified herself as a conservative, though noting that she held some socially liberal beliefs.https://www.c-span.org/program/interview/delaware-senate-campaign/151098 Delaware Senate Campaign August 19, 1990 Brady M. Jane M. Jane Brady Video C-SPAN 02:44 The state convention of the Libertarian Party of Delaware was held on July 22, 1990. This was the only contested nomination. Lee Rosenbaum, a data communications technician, defeated David S. DeRiemer. Issues Biden's early withdrawal from his 1988 presidential campaign was considered an issue for the campaign.https://www.c-span.org/program/interview/delaware-senate-campaign/151098 Delaware Senate Campaign August 19, 1990 Brady M. Jane M. Jane Brady Video C-SPAN 9:33 March 18, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250215163441/https://www.c-span.org/program/interview/delaware-senate-campaign/151098 February 15, 2025 live In August 1990, Brady criticized Biden's use of the franking privilege granted to members of Congress, stating that he could have instead used campaign funds.https://www.c-span.org/program/interview/delaware-senate-campaign/151098 Delaware Senate Campaign August 19, 1990 Brady M. Jane M. Jane Brady Video C-SPAN 5:24 She stated that if elected, she would work to eliminate the privileges.https://www.c-span.org/program/interview/delaware-senate-campaign/151098 Delaware Senate Campaign August 19, 1990 Brady M. Jane M. Jane Brady Video C-SPAN 15:01 March 12, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250215163441/https://www.c-span.org/program/interview/delaware-senate-campaign/151098 February 15, 2025 live Throughout the campaign, Brady called for budget reform.https://www.c-span.org/program/interview/delaware-senate-campaign/151098 Delaware Senate Campaign August 19, 1990 Brady M. Jane M. Jane Brady Video C-SPAN 12:40 March 12, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250215163441/https://www.c-span.org/program/interview/delaware-senate-campaign/151098 February 15, 2025 live Brady stated she opposed raising taxes unless it was accompanied by long-term budgetary reform. She suggested a constitutional amendment to limit tax increases. In October 1990, The News Journal asked the various candidates what they believed the most pressing issues for the country were. Biden stated that international relations with the then-declining USSR and providing better conditions for children were important in determining the future of the country. Brady stated that her two biggest concerns were fiscal and congressional responsibility, calling for term limits, shorter congressional sessions, and expansion of executive power. Rosenbaum identified the United States's involvement in the Gulf War as the biggest issue, stating that if elected, he would work to limit the United States's involvement in war. He also advocated for looser drug laws.Nagengast Larry October 28, 1990 Voters guide https://www.newspapers.com/image/159494323/ March 23, 2025 The News Journal 2 Newspapers.com Biden stated that Congress should focus on improving diplomatic relations with the declining USSR and prioritize nuclear disarmament, while Brady felt that Congress should avoid dealing with foreign relations and instead delegate the job to the Department of Defense. Election Campaign Speaking with C-SPAN, Biden stated he planned to campaign similarly to how he did in his previous elections,https://www.c-span.org/program/interview/delaware-senate-campaign/151099 Delaware Senate Campaign August 6, 1990 Biden Joe Joe Biden Video C-SPAN 03:08 although he noted that he would have less time to campaign due to his role in overseeing David Souter's nomination to the Supreme Court due to his role on the Senate Judiciary Committee.https://www.c-span.org/program/interview/delaware-senate-campaign/151099 Delaware Senate Campaign August 6, 1990 Biden Joe Joe Biden Video C-SPAN 04:10 Biden had previously used his position on the committee to reject Ronald Reagan's nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court. Brady criticized this, stating his role in the Bork hearings was evidence of Biden's poor character.October 14, 1990 Senate campaigns resort to video https://www.newspapers.com/image/948384349/?match=1&terms=Jane%20Brady March 18, 2025 United Press International Troy Daily News 7 Newspapers.com The News Journal wrote that they felt voters in Delaware knew little about Brady. Brady noted that she frequently sent them press releases, and cases she worked on often received news coverage.https://www.c-span.org/program/interview/delaware-senate-campaign/151098 Delaware Senate Campaign August 19, 1990 Brady M. Jane M. Jane Brady Video C-SPAN 02:02 March 12, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250215163441/https://www.c-span.org/program/interview/delaware-senate-campaign/151098 February 15, 2025 live Despite Brady being one of few women running for Senate in 1990, Biden was endorsed by various prominent women in the Government of Delaware.October 2, 1990 Women leaders back Biden's re-election bid The News Journal 10–11 Newspapers.comDole Bob Bob Dole June 9, 1992 GOP's Women candidates get no respect or publicity The Washington Post Albuquerque Journal 7 Newspapers.com Additionally, due to a childcare bill he co-sponsored, Biden received the endorsements of several childcare activists. On October 2, 1990, she accused Biden of hiring staff from his presidential campaign to work for him in the Senate, labeling it as an "abuse of public trust and a misuse of public funds". Ted Kaufman, Biden's then-chief of staff, stated that this was not unusual for a Senate Committee chairman.Kesler Nancy October 2, 1990 Brady Accuses Biden of Juggling Staff in '87 The News Journal 10 A televised debate between Biden, Brady, and Rosenbaum was held on October 23 by First State News and Heritage Cablevision.October 23, 1990 Television Today https://www.newspapers.com/image/159488749/?match=1&terms=Lee%20Rosenbaum%20libertarian March 23, 2025 The News Journal 32 Newspapers.comOctober 23, 1990 Vote your choice! https://www.newspapers.com/image/159488820/ The News Journal 36 Newspapers.com A radio debate between them was held on November 2 on WILM. In the debate Biden and Brady argued over line-item vetos. Brady felt that the president should be able to veto specific parts of bills, while Biden felt that it would give the president too much power, allowing them to "take complete control" of Congress.Kesler Nancy November 3, 1990 Biden, Brady air differences on veto https://www.newspapers.com/image/159466833/ March 30, 2025 The News Journal 2 Newspapers.com Brady stated that she hoped to win the election without accepting donations from special interest groups.https://www.c-span.org/program/interview/delaware-senate-campaign/151098 Delaware Senate Campaign August 19, 1990 Brady M. Jane M. Jane Brady Video C-SPAN 8:22 March 12, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250215163441/https://www.c-span.org/program/interview/delaware-senate-campaign/151098 February 15, 2025 live Ultimately, both Brady and Biden accepted money from interest groups.Moyed Ralph November 4, 1990 Reform politics? Why take all the fun out of the game https://www.newspapers.com/image/159471596/ March 31, 2025 The News Journal 3 Newspapers.com Brady's campaign raised around $200,000 by October 14 and around $245,000 by election day. She decided against running television commercials and for mailing videotapes instead, as it would be cheaper. The videotapes heavily attacked Biden, leading to them generating controversy.Kesler Nancy October 28, 1990 Rivels Brady, Biden spar from afar https://www.newspapers.com/image/159493032/ March 23, 2025 The News Journal 2, 14 Newspapers.com The campaign spent most of its funds, having $4,117 left over after the election. She was heavily outspent by Biden, who raised around 2.8 million dollars, spending around 2.6 million. He ended his campaign with $190,151 left.1990 Election United States Senate – Delaware https://www.fec.gov/data/elections/senate/DE/1990/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20170820163144/https://www.fec.gov/data/elections/senate/DE/1990/ August 20, 2017 March 12, 2025 Federal Election Commission en Results Polls closed at 8 p.m.,Rove Karl 2021-03-31 Opinion Biden's Election-Reform Deception https://www.wsj.com/articles/bidens-election-reform-deception-11617229306 2025-03-23 The Wall Street Journal en-US 0099-9660 and the Associated Press called the race for Biden at 8:42 p.m.Mullinax Gary November 7, 1990 Reporting of results from Delaware spotty on the tube https://www.newspapers.com/image/159477243/?match=1&terms=Joe%20Biden March 22, 2025 The News Journal 15 Newspapers.com Around 10:30 p.m., Brady conceded; she partially blamed President George H. W. Bush's role in the passing of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act.Kesler Nancy November 7, 1990 Biden buried Brady in Senate https://www.newspapers.com/image/159477189/ April 1, 2025 The News Journal 13 Newspapers.com Biden, like most incumbents in the 1990 United States Senate elections, was reelected to another term.Dewar Helen Yang John E. November 6, 1990 The Senate Incumbents Win Control Remains with Democrats https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1990/11/07/the-senate/88a317b4-abae-4a7c-9a3c-f65fe6b52b54/ March 12, 2025 The Washington Post He won in a landslide, receiving 62.68% of the vote.Leip David 1990 Senatorial General Election Results - Delaware https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=1990&fips=10&f=0&off=3&elect=0&class=2 https://web.archive.org/web/20150912111215/http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?fips=10&year=1990&f=0&off=3&elect=0&class=2 2015-09-12 2025-03-11 Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections A slight improvement on his previous margin of victory.Dennis 1985 2 Five votes were cast for write-in candidates. The election had a turnout rate of under 40%—slightly higher than that of the concurrent House of Representatives election for Delaware's at-large congressional district.Dendy Dallas L. https://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1990election.pdf Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 6, 1990 April 29, 1991 Clerk of the United States House of Representatives 8 March 12, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20210110062943/https://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1990election.pdf January 10, 2021 live Both Biden and Rosenbaum performed worse than their Democrat and Libertarian counterparts in the election for the House district. However, Brady outperformed Republican nominee Ralph O'Williams by three percent. With the exception of Tom Carper in the House race, Biden outperformed all other Democratic, Republican, and Libertarian nominees for all of Delaware's at-large elections, including Attorney General, State Treasurer, and Auditor of Accounts. With the exception of O'Williams, Brady underperformed the Republican nominees for all other at-large elections. Rosenbaum was the worst-performing Libertarian nominee.Harper 1991 2 General election resultsDennis 1985 2Dendy Dallas L. April 29, 1991 Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 6, 1990 http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1990election.pdf live https://web.archive.org/web/20110721043024/http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1990election.pdf July 21, 2011 March 11, 2025 Democratic Party (United States) Joe Biden (incumbent) 112,918 62.68% +2.57% Republican Party (United States) M. Jane Brady 64,554 35.83% -4.06% Libertarian Party (United States) Lee Rosenbaum 2,680 1.49% Write-ins 5 0.00% 48,364 26.85% +6.62% 180,157 Democratic Party (United States) By subdivision Biden won all three counties for the third election in a row.Wrightson 1978 2Dennis 1985 8 Biden's best performance was in New Castle County, where he won 62 percent of the vote to Brady's 36 percent. Brady's best performance was in Kent County, where she won around 40 percent of the vote to Biden's 58 percent, his lowest share of the vote. Kent County was also Rosenbaum's best performance, where he won slightly under two percent. New Castle County had the highest number of votes cast, with 103 thousand, followed by Sussex County with 86 thousand.Harper 1991 2 +Results by countyCountyJoseph Robinette Biden Jr. DemocraticM. Jane Brady RepublicanLee Rosenbaum LibertarianTotal votes castRef(s) References# %# %# %Kent14,537 14,537 25093 210,10310,103 25093 2 453453 25093 225,093Harper 1991 2New Castle64,11264112 103345 237,61237612 103345 21,6211621 103345 2103,345Sussex21,27621276 86790 213,30213302 86790 2360360 86790 286,790 Total112,91862.68%64,55435.83%2,6801.49%180,152 Biden won all 41 representative districts; in the concurrent legislative election, 24 Republican candidates won seats.Harper 1991 8, 12 He won all of them by a majority of the vote. Biden's best performance was in District 20, where he received 4,260 votes. Rosenbaum also saw his highest vote total in the district with 106 votes. District 20 was additionally the district where the highest number of votes were cast. Biden's worst performance came in District 34, where he received 1,593 votes to Brady's 1,377. Brady saw her best performance in District 11 with 2,999 votes to Biden's 3,111.Harper 1991 12 +Results by state representative districtCountyJoseph Robinette Biden Jr. DemocraticM. Jane Brady RepublicanLee Rosenbaum LibertarianTotal votes castRef(s) References# %# %# % District 1 3,289 3289 4190 2 829 829 4190 2 72 72 4190 24,190Harper 1991 12 District 21,904 1,904 2,098 2170 170 2,098 21,904 24 2,098 22,098 District 31,604 1,604 1,857 2133 133 1,857 21,604 20 1,857 21,857 District 43,204 3,204 5,045 21,762 1,762 5,045 23,204 79 5,045 25,045 District 52,992 2,992 3,726 2643 643 3,726 22,992 51 3,726 23,726 District 62,385 2,385 3,931 21,484 1,484 3,931 22,385 63 3,931 23,931 District 73,250 3,250 5,766 22,419 2,419 5,766 23,250 97 5,766 25,766 District 82,817 2,817 4,557 21,669 1,669 4,557 22,817 71 4,557 24,557 District 92,361 2,361 3,558 21,142 1,142 3,558 22,361 55 3,558 23,558 District 102,688 2,688 4,777 22,019 2,019 4,777 22,688 70 4,777 24,777 District 113,111 3,111 6,197 22,999 2,999 6,197 23,111 87 6,197 26,197 District 123,307 3,307 6,253 22,878 2,878 6,253 23,307 68 6,253 26,253 District 132,915 2,915 4,281 21,313 1,313 4,281 22,915 53 4,281 24,281 District 142,758 2,758 3,639 2841 841 3,639 22,758 40 3,639 23,639 District 152,488 2,488 3,136 2613 613 3,136 22,488 35 3,136 23,136 District 162,551 2,551 3,310 2709 709 3,310 22,551 50 3,310 23,310 District 173,343 3,343 4,825 21,393 1,393 4,825 23,343 89 4,825 24,825 District 182,275 2,275 3,436 21,098 1,098 3,436 22,275 63 3,436 23,436 District 193,191 3,191 4,845 21,591 1,591 4,845 23,191 63 4,845 24,845 District 204,260 4,260 7,238 22,872 2,872 7,238 24,260 106 7,238 27,238 District 212,834 2,834 4,686 21,775 1,775 4,686 22,834 77 4,686 24,686 District 223,165 3,165 5,823 22,568 2,568 5,823 23,165 90 5,823 25,823 District 232,380 2,380 3,980 21,517 1,517 3,980 22,380 83 3,980 23,980 District 242,215 2,215 3,611 21,323 1,323 3,611 22,215 73 3,611 23,611 District 251,756 1,756 2,936 21,113 1,113 2,936 21,756 67 2,936 22,936 District 262,884 2,884 4,372 21,401 1,401 4,372 22,884 87 4,372 24,372 District 273,797 3,797 6,154 22,263 2,263 6,154 23,797 94 6,154 26,154 District 282,694 2,694 3,915 21,150 1,150 3,915 22,694 71 3,915 23,915 District 292,302 2,302 3,847 21,460 1,460 3,847 22,302 85 3,847 23,847 District 302,194 2,194 3,678 21,408 1,408 3,678 22,194 76 3,678 23,678 District 312,562 2,562 4,032 21,812 1,812 4,032 22,562 56 4,032 24,032 District 321,765 1,765 3,961 21,414 1,414 3,961 21,765 63 3,961 23,961 District 332,175 2,175 3,027 21,717 1,717 3,027 22,175 69 3,027 23,027 District 341,593 1,593 3,379 21,377 1,377 3,379 21,593 57 3,379 23,379 District 352,209 2,209 3,684 21,480 1,480 3,684 22,209 67 3,684 23,684 District 362,847 2,847 4,625 21,734 1,734 4,625 22,847 45 4,625 24,625 District 373,891 3,891 6,716 22,742 2,742 6,716 23,891 83 6,716 26,716 District 384,030 4,030 6,808 22,713 2,713 6,808 24,030 65 6,808 26,808 District 392,571 2,571 4,426 21,823 1,823 4,426 22,571 32 4,426 24,426 District 403,035 3,035 4,559 21,490 1,490 4,559 23,035 34 4,559 24,559 District 413,326 3,326 5,073 21,697 1,697 5,073 23,326 50 5,073 25,073 Total112,91862.68%64,55435.83%2,6801.49%180,152 Aftermath On January 3, 1991, Biden was sworn in to the 102nd United States Congress by then–Vice President Dan Quayle alongside his fellow Senator-elects.https://www.c-span.org/program/senate-highlight/swearing-in-of-senate-members/10810 Swearing-In of Senate Members January 3, 1991 Video C-SPAN 5:27 During the following election cycle, Senate minority leader Bob Dole criticized the lack of media coverage that Brady, along with other female Republican candidates, received.Dole Bob Bob Dole June 9, 1992 GOP's Women Candidates Get No Respect or Publicity Opinion The Washington Post Albuquerque Journal 7 During the 2024 presidential election, Brady spoke about Biden, stating, "I don't think he ever broke a sweat once he was an incumbent".Epstein Reid J. 2024-05-02 Joe Biden, the Ultimate D.C. Veteran, Has Never Seen a Campaign Like This https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/02/us/politics/biden-election-campaign-opponents.html 2025-03-31 The New York Times en-US 0362-4331 References Bibliography Wrightson Lewis C. https://elections.delaware.gov/elections/resultsarchive/elect78/pdfs/1978.pdf State of Delaware: Official Results of General Election 1978 December 20, 1978 Delaware Department of Elections Dennis Virginia M. https://elections.delaware.gov/elections/resultsarchive/elect84/pdfs/1984.pdf State of Delaware: Official Results of General Election 1984 January 16, 1985 Delaware Department of Elections Harper Richard B. https://elections.delaware.gov/elections/resultsarchive/elect90/pdfs/1990.pdf State of Delaware: Official Results of General Election 1990 March 27, 1991 Delaware Department of Elections 1990 Delaware Category:1990 Delaware elections 1990 election