October 17, 2000
Delaware's U.S. Senate Race
Governor Thomas Carper & Senator William Roth
There is going to be change at every level of government impacting Delaware. No matter who wins in the general election, there will be a new President, new Governor, new New Castle County Council President, new Mayor of Wilmington and some new members of the Delaware General Assembly and the Wilmington City Council.
Whether or not there will be a new U.S. Senator representing Delaware in Washington, D.C. appears too close to call.
The Delaware race for U.S. Senate is attracting national attention. Because of the stature and political strength of each candidate and because of the real potential for shifts in power in Congress, there has been extra attention focused on this race.
For Delawareans, the question is, in the changing landscape, who will be best for Delaware. Both candidates are well known to Delawareans and each represents a distinctive choice on the issues.
The News Journal Editorial Board wrote, "This is the most exciting political race Delawareans have seen in a generation. It is imperative that the candidates deal directly and openly with voters." We have invited them to do just that at our October Monthly Dinner Meeting.
Tom Carper became Delaware's 71st Chief Executive on January 19, 1993 after serving five terms as Delaware's Congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives and six years as State Treasurer. Governor Carper was born in Beckley, West Virginia in 1947 and earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Ohio State University and a MBA from the University of Delaware in 1973. He completed five years of service as a Naval flight officer, serving in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and served another 18 years in the Naval Reserve, retiring with the rank of Captain.
Bill Roth became one of Delaware's U.S. Senators in 1971 after serving four years in the U. S. House of Representatives. Senator Roth was born in Great Falls, Montana in 1922 and earned an I.A. degree from the University of Oregon and received a MBA from Harvard Business School and a law degree from Harvard Law School. He served in World War II, after which he was discharged with the rank of Captain, having earned a Bronze Star.
To our invitations, extended in June, Tom Carper has accepted; Bill Roth has not.
Beverley Baxter