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http://www.delawareonline.com/story/firststatepolitics/2014/11/06/bonini-governor-2016-delaware-politics/18575637/ <http://www.delawareonline.com/story/firststatepolitics/2014/11/06/bonini-governor-2016-delaware-politics/18575637/>

Delaware Sen. Colin Bonini, a Dover Republican, says he will seek the governor's office in 2016, becoming the second candidate, along with outgoing Democratic Attorney General Beau Biden <http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/politics/2014/04/17/beau-biden-will-seek-rd-ag-term/7819377/>, to publicly express an intent to pursue a gubernatorial campaign.

"In the short term, we need to focus on the winners in 2014," Bonini said in an interview with The News Journal. "But I am running for governor. Delaware needs fixing. We face some significant systemic and fundamental problems. We need a more effective state government."

Democratic Gov. Jack Markell is term-limited and will leave office in January 2017.

Bonini has been considering a campaign for months and only discussed his plans after winning re-election for a seventh time on Tuesday. He collected more than 74 percent of the vote against an Independent Party challenger.

The Republican has served in the state Senate for two decades, and he has experience campaigning statewide. In 2010, Bonini lost by just two percentage points to Democrat Chip Flowers in a race for state treasurer.

"I realize that I'll definitely be the underdog, but I think that Delaware has some significant issues to resolve," Bonini said of a governor's race, referencing an imposing voter registration disadvantage facing the GOP.

Delaware Republicans showed some renewed strength on Tuesday.

Republican treasurer candidate Ken Simpler, a political newcomer, beat Democrat Sean Barney by 10 percentage points to win election to the state treasurer's office.

Republican Auditor Tom Wagner also won re-election for a seventh time on Tuesday and Republicans picked up a seat in the state Senate.


<http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/politics/2014/11/05/simpler-first-new-statewide-gop-win-since/18518297/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin=>
Bonini said Tuesday's elections proved that Delaware voters are "willing to listen" to credible candidates on either side of the political aisle.

After Simpler's win on Tuesday, some have openly speculated <http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/politics/2014/11/05/republicans-pushing-simpler-run-governor/18568683/> that Republicans may look to Simpler to run a midterm campaign for governor in 2016.

Simpler, however, has pledged to serve a full term in the treasurer's office.

On the Democratic side, prospective candidates will seek direction from Biden, who announced by email in April that he would not seek a third term as attorney general to pursue a governor's race.

"After careful consideration, I have concluded that it is not right to ask for your support in 2014, knowing that my focus would be divided between doing my job as attorney general while at the same time running as a candidate for governor," Biden said in written statements then.

Since making the announcement, Biden, who has battled health issues, has declined repeated requests for interviews and has been absent from public events.

U.S. Rep. John Carney and New Castle County Executive Tom Gordon are also potential Democratic candidates for governor in two years. Carney, a former lieutenant governor and state finance secretary, lost a Democratic primary for governor to Markell in 2008.

Contact Jonathan Starkey at 983-6756, on Twitter @jwstarkey or at jstarkey@delawareonline.com.

Joshua Alcorn
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