50 Best State GOP Electoral Successes - Delaware

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To paraphrase the great 90s movie character Wayne Campbell: "Hi...We're in Delaware." Not exactly the largest, most notable, or sexiest of our Union's states, Delaware has been able to provide us with some notable elective Republicans over the last half-century, making the choice for honor of one of the "50 Best" surprisingly difficult. However, considering his length of service, impressive victories, and political achievements, the honoree is well-deserving. Without further ado, the winner is...

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William V. "Bill" Roth, Jr. (1921-2003)

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Bill Roth, who made his political bones in the great state of Delaware, has roots in several other states before becoming legend in The First State. Born and bred northwest in Montana (coincidentally graduating from the same high school as current senior Senator, Democrat Max Baucus), Mr. Roth, after service in WWII, graduated from the University of Oregon, finished both Business School and Law School at Harvard, and was admitted to the California Bar. He moved to Delaware in 1954 (God only knows why.), becoming a permanent fixture in the state professionally.

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In 1960 he made an unsuccessful run for Delaware's Lt. Governor post, losing by a mere 1,155 votes out of over 194K votes cast. Not letting this get him down, Roth ran for U.S. Congress in 1966, defeating incumbent Rep. Harris B. McDowell by an impressive 12%. Two years later he was reelected by an even wider margin a rematch (That's called being rejected, Harry.). In 1970 the state's Senate seat opened up due to retirement, and Roth cruised to victory by almost 20% over his lesser Democrat opponent. He would be reelected to four more Senate terms, winning all with at least 55%. An uncomfortable campaigner, Roth would be accompanied in public appearances by a St. Bernard, using a number of them over the decades in what became somewhat of a trademark for his campaigns (Wiki). Unfortunately in 2000 the dog wasn't enough, as Senator Roth ran into the buzzsaw that was Governor Tom Carper. The state's progressively Democratic tilt over the years, the popularity of Carper, the coattails of the Democrat presidential ticket (Albert Gore Jr. won the state by 13%), and the issue of age/health (Roth fainted at a public appearance that year) all formed the perfect storm to relieve Roth of his seat. Ironically, he lost his race by almost the identical 56-44 margin he defeated the incumbent Congressman in the first race for Congress.

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Despite the 2000 defeat, one can hardly claim that Bill Roth's electoral success or political legacy was somehow tainted. Known as a fiscal conservative and a strong advocate for tax cuts, he was a long time member of the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs and the Senate Committee on Finance, serving as Chairman from September 1995 through 2000. He co-authored the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, also known as the Kemp-Roth Tax Cut with Congressman Jack Kemp - a feat that led to unprecedented economic growth throughout the Reagan years. He also sponsored a popular individual retirement account created in 1998 that bears his name (Roth IRA). Also, the Roth 401(k) retirement account was created in 2006, two years after his death in D.C. Although he was one of the few Republicans that voted for the infamous Brady Bill on handguns and supported environmental legislation over the years, Bill Roth has a legacy that the Delaware GOP can point to with pride, and his success is one the party should hope to emulate for future electoral races.

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Honorable Mention: Congressman & former Governor Mike Castle; former Governor and Congressman Pierre "Pete" du Pont

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Next Chapter: Florida

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