Delaware
Snyder-Hall thanks lesbian community after winning in Delaware
14th District state House candidate sees 2024 as ‘femininomenon’
Following a close three-way primary race in Delaware’s 14th District, voters chose Claire Snyder-Hall to face Republican Mike Simpler in November for control of the district’s seat in the Delaware House of Representatives.
Snyder-Hall sat down with the Blade after winning the primary to discuss her plans for the general election, her goals moving forward, and why she dubs this election “the year of the woman.”
“I decided to run because I felt really overwhelmed by all of the negative things that are happening in the world,” Snyder-Hall said when asked about why she decided to get involved in local politics. “While I loved my job as the head of Common Cause Delaware and working on democracy agenda in Delaware, there’s a range of other issues I care deeply about, and I just felt like I have to do something.”
For five years, Snyder-Hall led the Delaware office of Common Cause, a non-partisan organization dedicated to strengthening democracy across the state. Prior to her work at Common Cause, she taught political science at schools across the country for 20 years, including Princeton University, Rutgers University, Hunter College, Illinois State University, New College of Florida, and most recently George Mason University. She explained that because of her experience she stood out against her opponents.
“The challenge when you’re running in a Democratic primary is to differentiate yourself,” Snyder-Hall said. “I have, because of my five years as the head of Common Cause Delaware. I’ve developed a strong network of good relationships on the ground in Dover.”
Those relationships, she argues, will allow her to make the changes at the state level during a time that has been described — to put it lightly — as politically tumultuous.
“This is the most important election of our lifetime. Choice is on the ballot. LGBTQ+ rights are on the ballot. Democracy is on the ballot,” Snyder-Hall said. “And in eastern Sussex [County] our quality of life is on the ballot. And I just felt like I had to do something positive.”
That positive thing, Snyder-Hall explained, involves her three-part plan to protect rights in Delaware.
“There are three really important components of this job, and I take all of them very seriously. One is advocating for your district. Making sure that our district gets the money we need.”
In June, the Delaware House passed its 2025 Operating Budget of $6.1 billion to support critical programs across the state. If Snyder-Hall wins, she wants to see some of that money going to the state’s neediest residents.
“Things like more long-term care options, more mental health services, drug treatment, wraparound services,” she explained are at the top of her list.
In addition to those services, she highlighted the plight of many trans youth. A recent study of anti-trans legislation from The Williams Institute has found that 93% of transgender youth ages 13-17 in the U.S., (an estimated 280,300 transgender youth) live in states that have passed or proposed banning access to gender-affirming care.
“We have a lot of trans people who are moving to Delaware, fleeing persecution in other states. We want to make sure we have the services that are needed to get them up, going, and situated in the community.” Snyder-Hall said. “First thing, bringing resources back.”
“The second thing,” she continued, “is serving constituents. When constituents have a problem they need to have somebody that can call. Unfortunately, a lot of times it takes a phone call to your elected official to get something going.”
“And then the third thing, and this is one that I think sometimes doesn’t get enough attention, is that I want to be at the table when the laws are made for the state,” Snyder-Hall added. “So as a rep, I’m representing my district, but I’m also a participant in the overall governance of the state, and all three of those components are important for the job.”
In addition to the three components of doing the job properly, Snyder-Hall also pointed out she wants to help change the way campaigns are run in the state following Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long’s finance scandal. Last year, the Associated Press discovered Hall-Long failed to disclose hundreds of thousands of dollars in loans in her finance reports.
“Campaign finance reform is a big one, particularly in light of some of the things that have happened recently in Delaware,” Snyder-Hall said. “I’d like to see the creation of an inspector general’s office to look for fraud, waste and abuse, and corruption. It would be a nonpartisan office so it’s not somebody’s political career.”
Snyder-Hall was able to secure the Democratic primary win without the endorsement of longtime incumbent District 14 Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, who has held the seat since 2002. Schwartzkopf has been a longtime LGBTQ ally, supporting marriage equality, non-discrimination protections, and hate crime legislation in the Delaware House. He also served as Speaker of the House.
Schwartzkopf endorsed Kathy McGuiness, who came in third in the primary with 26.91% of votes (1,238 votes) following Marty Rendon in second with 31.83% of the votes (1,464 votes). Snyder-Hall won with 41.26% of votes (1,898 votes).
Snyder-Hall mentioned that this win would not have been possible without the LGBTQ community in Sussex County.
“I want to say that the lesbian community came out extremely strongly to support our campaign,” she said. “We have a very large community here, not just in Rehoboth and my district, but even spreading out to the west and south. They supported me financially, very generously. They volunteered for me. They spread the word. They lifted me up. I’m so appreciative of their strength in that community. And also, it wasn’t just that. I also have a big network of gay male friends and straight friends.”
Snyder-Hall said that the number of votes she got speaks to her community’s aspirations for a leader.
“One reason I think that the women’s community came out so strongly for me, is because they know that I will represent not just the people that live in my district, but I’ll be representing our interests as women, as lesbians, and as Delawareans,” she added.
She also explained that this could be an indication of a “femininomenon” — to use lesbian pop star Chappell Roan’s made-up word — in government offices across the country.
“We’re going to get Kamala Harris as the first woman president. We’re going to get Sarah McBride and LBR (Lisa Blunt Rochester). LBR will be the first woman senator [from Delaware]. And, you know, hopefully Claire Snyder-Hall from the 14th. I’m very proud to be the first woman nominated to be the representative for District 14, and I’m also the first lesbian nominated to represent District 14.”
Blunt Rochester is poised to become Delaware’s first Black person and first woman Senator. Sarah McBride is slated to be the first transgender person elected to Congress.
“Sarah McBride is incredible. She is a star. She has it all. She has the part you can learn and the part you can’t learn,” Snyder-Hall said. “She’s going to be an incredible congressperson. She’s so young, and she’s going to be the first trans congressperson. She’s got it all. She’s super smart, charismatic, just good with people, good with communications. I think it’s really fantastic.”
She added that she was not surprised by this, which is one of the reasons she loves her state.
“Delaware is a very, very pro-LGBTQ+ state, and I think that it’s not a surprise that our first trans congressperson would come from Delaware.”
Delaware’s general election is set for Tuesday, Nov. 5. Voters will determine the race for the District 14 seat, the open congressional seat, and the Senate seat. This pivotal day will shape the state’s representation at both the state and national levels. For Snyder-Hall, this fight means more than just the office, but progress for Delawareans. “I knocked on thousands of doors all over the district. And the thing is it’s not one person’s story, but just the connection, being able to look someone in the eye and talk about the district and what we can do to make things better, that’s the thing that keeps me going,” Snyder-Hall said. “Knowing that I can help people.”
Milton, Del., will host its Pride Fest this Saturday with the theme “Small Town, Big Heart.” The town’s population of just over 3,000 is in its sixth year hosting Pride.
The event is hosted by Sussex Pride and Milton Theatre and will take place from 4-8 p.m. in the area surrounding the theater. Admission is pay-what-you-can and proceeds will support the Milton Theatre’s education wing campaign, an initiative dedicated to expanding arts education and creating spaces for the next generation of performers and artists.
The musical act schedule includes Goldstar at 4 p.m., Magnolia Applebottom and Friends at 5:30 p.m., and Mama’s Blacksheep at 6:45 p.m. There will be vendors, food trucks, and a Kids Fest with an inflatable obstacle course.
“In our little corner of the world, LOVE leads the way! Milton Pride 2025 is a celebration for EVERYONE — neighbors, families, allies, and friends — because acceptance, kindness, and community belong to us all,” Milton Theatre’s website reads. “Whether you’re here to cheer, learn, or simply feel the joy … you’re welcome exactly as you are. Let’s come together and celebrate Milton, a SMALL TOWN … with a BIG HEART!”
The nation’s capital welcomed WorldPride this past weekend, a massive celebration that usually takes place in a different city every two years.
The Saturday parade attracted hundreds of thousands of people from around the world and the country. The state of Delaware, a few hours drive from D.C., saw participants in the parade, with CAMP Rehoboth, an LGBTQ community center in Rehoboth Beach, hosting a bus day trip.
Hope Vella sits on the board of directors and marched with CAMP Rehoboth. Vella said that although the parade took a long time to start and the temperature was hot, she was “on a cloud” from being there.
“It didn’t matter to me how long it took to start. With the current changes that are in place regarding diversity and inclusion, I wanted my face there,” Vella said. “My life is an intersection. I am a Black woman. I am a lesbian, and I have a disability. All of these things are trying to be erased … I didn’t care how long it took. I didn’t care how far it was going to be. I was going to finish that parade. I didn’t care how hot it was.”
The nearly two mile parade route didn’t feel as long because everyone was so happy interacting with the crowd, Vella said. The group gave out beads, buttons, and pins to parade watchers.
“The World Pride celebration gave me hope because so many people came out. And the joy and the love that was between us … That gave me hope,” Vella said.
Vella said that people with disabilities are often overlooked. More than one in four Americans have disabilities, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Vella said it was important for her “to be out there and to be seen in my wholeness as a Black woman, as a lesbian, as a woman with a disability and to not be hiding. I want our society to understand that we exist in LGBTQ+ spaces also.”
Retired Maj. Gen. Tammy Smith is involved with CAMP Rehoboth and marched with a coalition of LGBTQ military members. Smith said they were walking to give transgender military members visibility and to remind people why they are serving.
“When we are not visible, what is allowed to take our place is stereotypes,” Smith said. “And so without visibility, people think all veterans are conservative and perhaps not open to full equality. Without visibility, they might think a small state with a farming background may be a place that’s unwelcoming, but when you actually meet the people who are from those places, it sets aside those stereotypes and the real authenticity is allowed to come forward.”
During the parade, Smith said she saw trans military members in the parade make eye contact or fist bump with transgender people in the crowd.
“They were seen. Both sides were seen during that parade and I just felt privileged to be able to witness that,” Smith said.
Smith said Delaware is a state that is about freedom and equality and is the first state for a reason. The LGBTQ community is engrained as part of life in the Rehoboth and Lewes areas.
“What pride means to me is that we must always be doing what is necessary to maintain our dignity as a community,” Smith said. “We can’t let what people with negative messaging might be tossing our way impact us and the celebration of Pride. I don’t see it as being self-promoting. I see it as an act of dignity and strength.”
Delaware
Delaware Senate passes bill to codify same-sex marriage
Measure assigned to House Administration Committee
The bill that would enshrine same-sex marriage into Delaware’s Constitution passed the State Senate Tuesday afternoon.
Senate Substitute Two for Senate Bill 100 passed with a 16 to 5 vote, garnering the two-thirds majority necessary to pass. The bill has been assigned to the House Administration Committee.
SB 100 was introduced in April by Democratic Sen. Russ Huxtable of the sixth district of Delaware. It is the first leg of an amendment to the Delaware Constitution. The act would “establish the right to marry as a fundamental right and that Delaware and its political subdivisions shall recognize marriages and issue marriage licenses to couples regardless of gender.”
Senate Substitute One was adopted in lieu of the original bill on May 16. SB 100 originally focused exclusively on marriage equality relating to gender and the bill was tweaked to include protection for all classes that fall under Delaware’s Equal Rights Amendment, including race, color, national origin, and sex. Senate Substitute Two was then adopted in lieu of SB 100 on June 5 after being heard by the Senate Executive Committee on May 21.
SS 2 differs from SB 100 by clarifying that the right to marry applies to marriages that are legally valid under the laws of Delaware and that all state laws that are applicable to marriage, married spouses, or the children of married spouses apply equally to marriages that are legally valid. It also removed the need for gender-specific provisions by including gender in the first sentence and revised the language clarifying that the right to marry does not infringe on the right to freedom of religion under Article One of the Delaware Constitution.
“We’re not here to re-litigate the morality of same-sex marriage. That debate has been settled in the hearts and minds of most Americans, and certainly here in Delaware,” Sen. Huxtable said at Tuesday’s hearing. “We are here because the fundamental rights should never be left vulnerable to political whims or the ideological makeup of the U.S. Supreme Court.”
Other states such as California, Colorado, and Hawaii have introduced and passed similar bills to protect the right of all people of all genders to marry under state law.
“This bill sends a strong message that Delaware protects its people, that we will not wait for rights to be taken away before we act,” Sen. Huxtable said at the hearing. “Voting in favor of this amendment is not just the legal mechanism of marriage, it’s about affirming the equal humanity of every Delawarean.”
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