Obama wins Delaware, Carper, Markell re-elected

Voters in predominantly Democratic Delaware also gave incumbent Gov. Jack Markell a victory over Republican challenger Jeffrey Cragg in Tuesday's election, according to exit polling.

Democrat Rep. John Carney Jr. also was re-elected Tuesday, defeating Republican Tom Kovach to win a second term as Delaware's lone representative in the U.S. House.

In the Senate race, Carper turned back challenges from Republican businessman Kevin Wade and Independent candidate Alex Pires Jr. in a race marked by Pires' sharp personal attacks on Carper, including questioning the 65-year-old lawmaker's health.

"He's been good for Delaware," said Tyrone Knight, 55, who voted for Carper at Middletown High School.

Markell and Carper, who hasn't lost a race since 1976, led a field of several Democratic incumbents seeking re-election Tuesday.

In other statewide races, Democratic Lt. Gov. Matt Denn defeated Republican challenger Sher Valenzuela, and Democratic state insurance commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart easily defeated GOP challenger Ben Mobley.

All the incumbent Democrats in the statewide races took at least 60 percent of the vote.

"It looks like we had a really good night," Markell said before addressing a Democratic gathering in Wilmington.

Delaware voters also were deciding a host of state legislative and local races, including two key state Senate races in which Democratic candidates were backed by Markell.

Obama's running mate, Vice President Joe Biden, cast his vote early Tuesday in Greenville before heading off to join Obama in Chicago on Tuesday night.

Turnout in Delaware was steady throughout the day, and state elections commissioner Elaine Manlove reported no major problems at polling places.