Kovach Wins NCCo Special Election

Republican Tom Kovach overcame heavy opposition last night to be elected New Castle County’s new County Council President.  Ironically, Kovach’s winning margin was roughly equivalent to former NCCo Executive Chris Coons win over Christine O’Donnell – the race that ultimately caused a need to elect a new council president.

Despite attempts by Democrat opponent Tim Sheldon at running to the right – promising to oppose any property tax increases and calling for a reduction in the size of the county’s 1,421 strong county workforce – New Castle voters decided to opt for the real thing.  Probably the biggest issue in the campaign was who would be a better watchdog over new county executive Paul Clark and potential conflicts due to Clark’s wife representing many county land developers.

2010 wasn’t a great year for First State Republicans.  Recent fights within the DEGOP didn’t bode well for 2011.  Perhaps Kovach’s win, in heavily Democratic New Castle County, will serve as a jumping off point for a reinvigorated DEGOP.