September 10, 2024

“This campaign presented a new vision for what Delaware can do, and the people have spoken,” said Smith.

BEAR, DE — Kamela Smith, a Director of Community Engagement and Education and longtime Bear resident, declared victory Tuesday night in her race against the Speaker of the Delaware House, Valerie Longhurst. 

“I am extremely honored that the people of the 15th district put their trust in me to represent them in Dover,” said Kamela Smith, candidate for Delaware HD-15. “This campaign presented a new vision for what Delaware can do, and the people have spoken. Once I’m in Dover, I’ll be pushing for government transparency, better education, health care, and housing, and the investments in our people that they deserve. Let’s get to work.”

After working for decades as a mental health professional, Smith, endorsed by the Working Families Party, stepped up to run for office to destigmatize mental health care, focus on youth and education, reduce corruption, and increase responsiveness and efficiency in local government.

“This is the cost of blocking legislation that’s vital for working people across Delaware. We look forward to working with a new Speaker of the House on the issues that matter for families across the state, including earned sick time and safety leave, universal school meals, and rent stabilization,” said Karl Stomberg, Delaware Political Director for the Working Families Party. “Taking on a candidate who has served for decades and is synonymous with the Democratic establishment isn’t easy — but Kam has spent her entire career working for the people of the 15th district and ran an incredible race. We look forward to continuing to work with her.”

The Working Families Party endorsed Smith and spent $20,000 on a direct mail Independent Expenditure program for her.

This is just the most recent high-profile victory for Working Families Party-endorsed candidates in Delaware. In 2022, WFP supported Rep. Deshanna Neal, who defeated the House Majority Whip by just 24 votes. That same year, WFP expanded its bench by electing Reps. Sophie Phillips, Cyndie Romer, and Kerri Evelyn Harris in other state legislative races. 

In 2020, WFP supported Reps. Eric Morrison, Larry Lambert, Rae Moore, and Madinah Wilson-Anton, and Sen. Marie Pinkney, who won their primaries against more moderate Democrats.

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The Working Families Party is the grassroots political party of the multiracial working class, fighting for a nation that cares for all of us. Over the past twenty-six years, it has elected thousands of progressive leaders at every level of government in states across the country.