COONS: Yes, and I am encouraged that already a hundred individuals have been arrested and charged with both state and federal offenses.
Look, we narrowly avoided what could have been an even more tragic night. This wasn't just a disruptive riot. This was an attempted coup, the most significant in the history of our republic.
DeMartino: No. I am Pro-Life.
Decriminalize sex work & fully repeal SESTA/FOSTA
Source: 2020 Delaware Senate campaign website JessForDelaware.com
Nov 30, 2019
John Carney:
Rehabilitating offenders is key to safer communities
Like everyone, John wants to make sure we are keeping dangerous criminals off our streets. But he also knows that rehabilitating offenders and helping them become employed and productive members of society are the keys to safer communities. Even more
important is preventing our young people from turning to a life of crime in the first place. As governor, he will work to:- Target our resources on high-risk offenders, so police are keeping a closer eye on those individuals with a history of
serious and violent crimes.
- End the school-to-prison pipeline by giving young people employment and educational options that keep them off the streets.
- Provide better access to mental health care and drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
-
Allocate police resources with the needs of the community in mind.
- Improve education and training programs to prepare inmates for reentry into society.
- Work with law enforcement to develop trust within the communities they serve.
Source: 2016 Delaware Gubernatorial campaign website, JohnCarney.org
Sep 9, 2016
John Carney:
Help ex-offenders back into community
I signed an Executive Order to help ex-offenders more successfully reenter their communities. We're creating individualized plans for each inmate. The goal is to give them the drug treatment, education, and job skills they need to survive on the outside.
Bottom line is really quite simple: over 90 percent of inmates will eventually leave prison. We need to make sure they're better off when they leave prison than when they got there in the first place.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Delaware legislature
Jan 17, 2019
John Carney:
Inmates should leave prison better than when they entered
Last year, I signed an Executive Order to help ex-offenders more successfully reenter their communities. This year, all inmates sentenced to more than a year in custody get individualized plans as soon as they enter prison.
The plans focus on drug treatment, education, and job skills. It's in everyone's interest that these individuals leave prison better off than when they entered.
Source: 2020 Delaware State of the State address
Jan 23, 2020
John Carney:
Gangs should accept help or be prepared to go to prison
Carney said Wilmington crime is coming from a small number of gang-affiliated groups in poor neighborhoods across the city. "We give them a choice.
You either take the choice and assistance with us and our social services, or we're going to bring down the law hard on you and send you to prison for a long time," he said.
On the subject of crime, [opponent Julianne] Murray said racial justice and law enforcement can operate together and a partnership is needed.
Bad cops need to be removed to create confidence between law enforcement agencies and the communities served, she said.
Source: Cape Gazette on 2020 Delaware Gubernatorial race
Oct 17, 2020
John Carney:
We banned chokeholds, now body cameras for every officer
Last year we banned choke holds. This year, we will support a plan to get body cameras for every police officer in the state.
There is so much more work to be done, but we have made important progress this year.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Delaware legislature
Jan 26, 2021
Julianne Murray:
Remove bad cops to create confidence in law enforcement
On the subject of crime, Murray said racial justice and law enforcement can operate together and a partnership is needed.
Bad cops need to be removed to create confidence between law enforcement agencies and the communities served, she said.
Carney said Wilmington crime is coming from a small number of gang-affiliated groups in poor neighborhoods across the city. "We give them a choice.
You either take the choice and assistance with us and our social services, or we're going to bring down the law hard on you and send you to prison for a long time," he said.
Source: Cape Gazette on 2020 Delaware Gubernatorial race
Oct 17, 2020
Lisa Blunt Rochester:
Systemic problems in judicial system affect people of color
Public Safety: "At the end of the day, making sure our families are safe is the most important job we can do."--Lisa Blunt RochesterI still remember the day that I jumped into my car, in my pajamas, when my son called and told me he had been pulled
over. For far too many mothers like me, our strong need and desire to have the safest streets possible is complicated by the reality that, unfortunately, systemic problems exist within our judicial system that disproportionately affect people of color.
In Congress, Lisa will be a champion for protecting our communities by:- Promoting economic equality and creating satisfying job options.
- Working to close the educational achievement gap as a critical part of
finding a holistic approach to crime prevention.
- Furthering her work to bring police and communities together to figure out how best to protect our neighborhoods.
Source: 2016 Delaware House campaign website LisaBluntRochester.com
Nov 8, 2016
John Carney:
Expand group intervention program to reduce gun violence
Protecting our state also means making sure Delaware families feel safe in their homes and communities. We're working with leaders in Wilmington and Dover to expand our Group Violence Intervention Program--to reduce gun violence.
Our collective efforts have shown good results. Statewide, shootings are down nearly 30 percent since last year. There's a lot more work to do, for sure. Gun violence anywhere is unacceptable--and we need everyone to make this a priority.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Delaware legislature
Jan 19, 2023
Matt Meyer:
Address social, economic circumstances that can drive crime
In 2012, 16-year-old Alexander Kamara Jr. was killed in a shooting at Eden Park while he was playing in a soccer tournament. "I remember reading about it in the newspaper and thinking, 'I was trying to teach Iraqis how to do it right and this is how
we're doing it here,'" he said, noting he began seeing more stories of such senseless violence and he wanted to try to make a difference in the social and economic circumstances that often drive crime.
Source: Delaware Business Times on 2024 Delaware Gubernatorial race
Dec 7, 2020
Bethany Hall-Long:
Cruelty to animals includes extended tethering of dogs
SB211: This Bill includes the tethering of any dog for extended periods of time within the definition of cruelty to animals.Analysis by the News Journal, August 6, 2012: The law now adds tethering a dog for 18 or more hours in any
24-hour period to the list of cruel acts. Tethering young dogs and certain nursing mother dogs is also illegal.
Humane PA in support (2017): Why is tethering dogs inhumane? Dogs are naturally social animals who thrive on interaction with
people and other animals. A dog kept chained in one spot for hours, days, months or even years suffers immense psychological damage. An otherwise friendly and docile dog, when kept continuously chained, becomes neurotic, unhappy, anxious and often
aggressive.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 32-8-1 on Jun/26/12; passed Senate 16-5-0 on Jun/27/12; State Sen. Bethany Hall-Long voted YES; signed by Governor Jack Markell on Aug/3/12
Source: Humane PA on Delaware Legislature voting records SB211
Jun 27, 2012
Colin Bonini:
Don't include tethering of dogs as cruelty to animals
SB211: This Bill includes the tethering of any dog for extended periods of time within the definition of cruelty to animals.Analysis by the News Journal, August 6, 2012: The law now adds tethering a dog for 18 or more hours in any
24-hour period to the list of cruel acts. Tethering young dogs and certain nursing mother dogs is also illegal.
Humane PA in support (2017): Why is tethering dogs inhumane? Dogs are naturally social animals who thrive on interaction with
people and other animals. A dog kept chained in one spot for hours, days, months or even years suffers immense psychological damage. An otherwise friendly and docile dog, when kept continuously chained, becomes neurotic, unhappy, anxious and often
aggressive.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 32-8-1 on Jun/26/12; passed Senate 16-5-0 on Jun/27/12; State Sen. Colin Bonini voted NO; signed by Governor Jack Markell on Aug/3/12
Source: Humane PA on Delaware Legislature voting records SB211
Jun 27, 2012
Jack Markell:
Cruelty to animals includes extended tethering of dogs
SB211: This Bill includes the tethering of any dog for extended periods of time within the definition of cruelty to animals.Analysis by the News Journal, August 6, 2012: The law now adds tethering a dog for 18 or more hours in any
24-hour period to the list of cruel acts. Tethering young dogs and certain nursing mother dogs is also illegal.
Humane PA in support (2017): Why is tethering dogs inhumane? Dogs are naturally social animals who thrive on interaction with
people and other animals. A dog kept chained in one spot for hours, days, months or even years suffers immense psychological damage. An otherwise friendly and docile dog, when kept continuously chained, becomes neurotic, unhappy, anxious and often
aggressive.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 32-8-1 on Jun/26/12; passed Senate 16-5-0 on Jun/27/12; signed by Governor Jack Markell on Aug/3/12
Source: Humane PA on Delaware Legislature voting records SB211
Aug 3, 2012
Mike Katz:
Cruelty to animals includes extended tethering of dogs
SB211: This Bill includes the tethering of any dog for extended periods of time within the definition of cruelty to animals.Analysis by the News Journal, August 6, 2012: The law now adds tethering a dog for 18 or more hours in any
24-hour period to the list of cruel acts. Tethering young dogs and certain nursing mother dogs is also illegal.
Humane PA in support (2017): Why is tethering dogs inhumane? Dogs are naturally social animals who thrive on interaction with
people and other animals. A dog kept chained in one spot for hours, days, months or even years suffers immense psychological damage. An otherwise friendly and docile dog, when kept continuously chained, becomes neurotic, unhappy, anxious and often
aggressive.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 32-8-1 on Jun/26/12; passed Senate 16-5-0 on Jun/27/12; State Sen. Michael Katz voted YES; signed by Governor Jack Markell on Aug/3/12
Source: Humane PA on Delaware Legislature voting records SB211
Jun 27, 2012
Eric Hansen:
Support federal intervention to stop drug cartels, gangs
I will add federal resources to ensure that the most dangerous and violent criminals are prosecuted and imprisoned. We also need to put drugs dealers behind bars -- Delaware is 5th in opioid and fentanyl deaths in the U.S.
I support immediate federal intervention to stop drug cartels and gang violence. When local government will not step up, we are left with no choice but for the federal government to step in.
Source: 2024 Delaware Senate campaign website VoteEricHansen.com
Feb 23, 2024
Mike Ramone:
Ensure police have resources, reduce recidivism rates
Families throughout Delaware have been impacted by rising crime rates and rampant drug use. As Governor, Mike will ensure state police and local law enforcement have the tools and resources necessary to keep our communities safe.
Mike is passionate about criminal justice reform and will work with community leaders to find solutions that create a fair and equitable justice system that focuses on reducing recidivism rates through rehabilitation.
Source: 2024 Delaware Gubernatorial campaign website MikeRamone.com
Jun 9, 2024
Mike Ramone:
Cruelty to animals includes extended tethering of dogs
SB211: This Bill includes the tethering of any dog for extended periods of time within the definition of cruelty to animals.Analysis by the News Journal, August 6, 2012: The law now adds tethering a dog for 18 or more hours in any
24-hour period to the list of cruel acts. Tethering young dogs and certain nursing mother dogs is also illegal.
Humane PA in support (2017): Why is tethering dogs inhumane? Dogs are naturally social animals who thrive on interaction with
people and other animals. A dog kept chained in one spot for hours, days, months or even years suffers immense psychological damage. An otherwise friendly and docile dog, when kept continuously chained, becomes neurotic, unhappy, anxious and often
aggressive.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 32-8-1 on Jun/26/12; passed Senate 16-5-0 on Jun/27/12; State Rep. Ramone voted YES; signed by Governor Jack Markell on Aug/3/12
Source: Humane PA on Delaware Legislature voting records SB211
Jun 26, 2012
Chris Coons:
Consider commuting death sentences to life without parole
I have encouraged the presidents to seriously consider commuting the sentences to life in prison without hope of parole for these truly heinous criminals. These are people who should never be out of prison. But Pope Francis has called on
President Biden, as have many other criminal justice reform leaders, faith leaders, to step aside from federal death penalties, because, frankly, former President Trump directed the execution of quite a few individuals on federal death row.
Source: CNN SOTU 2024 interview on 2026 Delaware Senate race
Dec 22, 2024
Chris Coons:
FBI chief more focused on social media than fighting crime
[About FBI Director Kash Patel]: "I'm seeing an FBI leadership more focused on social media clout and on political revenge than on fighting crime," Coons said. Coons cited
the aggressive sacking of seasoned professionals at the FBI over the past few months, which included the head of the Salt Lake City field office being pushed out. Her only transgression appears to be her identity as a female Pakistani-American.
Source: Salon.com, "FBI," on 2026 Delaware Senate race
Sep 17, 2025
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026