Mike Lamone, Republican primary candidate for Delaware governor, said in a conversation with Fox News Digital that he intends to break the so-called one-party system in President Biden’s home state.
Ramone, who currently serves as minority leader in the state Assembly, said he plans to flip the governor’s office to a Republican in November for the first time in more than 30 years.
“Delaware has been dominated by one party for 32 years, and I’m here to give Delawareans a choice,” Lamone said. “Balance creates debate, debate creates scrutiny, and scrutiny avoids unexpected consequences…There are far-right and far-right voters, and both will vote, but I believe many on the far-right may think they can do better in Delaware.”
Ramone argued that under Democratic leadership, Delaware has transformed into one of the worst states for education, health care, safety, transportation and business friendliness.
He said it was the only state in the country to have a negative GDP.
“We need to take another look at our spending because we’re using taxpayer money. It’s not our money, it’s their money. I think President Ronald Reagan did it best: ‘Are you better off now than you were then?’ If people felt that they were better off, they wouldn’t have a Republican Party,” Lamone said. “But if they feel they’re tired of the drama of politics, if they want a leader who will lead from the front but also have their back, if they feel it’s time to address technology and job creation in areas like fintech and pharmaceuticals, just like Pete DuPont did to make our state the corporate capital of the world, then they’re going to vote for Mike Lamone. They’re going to vote for a businessman.”
Ramone, who has more than 40 years of experience in the business sector, said Delaware voters should consider “management style” when choosing their leaders.
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Mike Ramone has won eight elections in state legislative districts that are heavily Democratic. (Mike Ramone Campaign)
“The way our state is currently run is dysfunctional. Our education system is one of the most heavily funded but one of the least performing. Our health care system is completely broken,” he said. “I don’t think it’s my business to digest hate and negativity or smear facts. I just think there’s a lot we can do better. We have to stay focused. We have to paint a vision.”
Democrats outnumber Republicans in the state by nearly two to one, according to the latest voter registration data released this month. Independents also outnumber Republicans by about 16,600 to 1 in Delaware, and Democrats currently control nine state offices. What’s more, Ramone’s campaign is coming at a critical time nationally, after Biden dropped out of the presidential race.
“Joe Biden. We’re all proud of Joe. I’m a Republican, and I can say that because he’s the first Delawarean to be president of the country,” Lamone said. “I think that’s a great thing. But I don’t think the style of leadership that we’ve seen over the last few years, in presidential elections and so forth, represents Delaware.”
Mike Ramone said Delaware is one of the best-funded states in the country and has some of the worst educational outcomes. (Mike Ramone Campaign)
Ramone, who first started in business at age 20 when he borrowed $8,000 to open his first flower shop, said he was willing to sacrifice his reputation to get the state running in a “fiscally responsible” way again.
Ramone said Delaware lost the three Cs — credit cards, chemicals and cars — when major automakers DuPont and MBNA closed.
He argued that the state is ideally placed to become a fintech hub, not just for “$15 Amazon jobs,” but a Silicon Valley-style effort to bring high-paying jobs across a range of sectors to the state.
Ramone called the state’s education a “disaster” and argued that most of the money goes to the state’s 19 school districts and the Department of Education, rather than to classrooms.
Ramone was first elected to the state Legislature 16 years ago and has won eight elections to represent his district, which has more registered Democratic voters per capita than the state as a whole.
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Mike Lamone is running for Republican gubernatorial candidate in Delaware. (Mike Ramone Campaign)
“My philosophy is simple. There are over 8,000 Democrats in my district,” Ramone said. “There are about 5,000 Republicans and about 5,200 independents. I’m the only elected official in Delaware who has been fortunate enough to be re-elected eight times, and I represent the third party, not the second. I’ve been in the minority. There are more independents than Republicans, so I think I’m pretty good at building relationships. I listen to people pretty broadly and I think I have a good grasp of what’s going on in Delaware. There are a lot of people in Delaware who are fiscally rational, economically conservative, and socially moderate to liberal. In other words, leave people alone and let them live their lives as they please, but don’t tax them or have an overzealous government.”
Ramone, a father and grandfather, said he wants Delaware to be a state where younger generations can live and thrive without having to move elsewhere.
Delaware’s last Republican governor was Mike Castle, who served from 1985 to 1993.
Ramone said despite running in an election year, he believes his background and business acumen will help him win the governor’s office.
“When I ran in my district, there were a lot of Mike Ramone signs right next to Joe Biden signs, and there were a lot of Donald Trump signs right next to Mike Ramone signs. There were a lot of Mike Ramone signs in yards that didn’t have signs. So I think that because Delaware is small, the national rhetoric might include a higher level of voter turnout. But I don’t think that turnout works for or against me,” Ramone said.
Mike Ramone promised to make Delaware a state where our grandchildren can live and thrive. (Mike Ramone Campaign)
Ramone argued that even if former President Trump garnered support in Kent and Sussex counties, that support would be offset by the fact that more Democrats in New Castle County would have an incentive to vote against him.
“I think this is close to what’s called revenue neutral. I think it will offset. I’m not worried about what’s going to happen nationally. I’m worried about what’s going to happen in my community, in my state and in our three great counties,” Ramone said. “When people get on the campaign trail, they’re so busy throwing bombs at each other that they forget why they should be there. I’m going to be focused on why I should be there. I’m going to be focused on what I can do to help people. I’m going to be focused on making Delaware a better place to live.”
Delaware has term limits for its governor, meaning incumbent Democratic Gov. John Carney cannot run for re-election this year.
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Ramone must now win the Republican primary on Sept. 10.
Jerry Price Lamone, a former New York Police Department officer, first announced his candidacy for Delaware governor as a Republican in December. Lamone entered the primary in May, and a third Republican, Bobby Williamson, announced his candidacy earlier this month. Democrats competing in the gubernatorial primary are current Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long and New Castle County Mayor Matt Meyer.
The winners from each party will face off in the general election on November 5th.
