Adam Duvernay

The News Journal

Noon Tuesday was the official deadline to file in statewide Delaware races, and there were two changes to the expected roster in the race for Delaware's sole seat in the U.S. House. The slate of candidates isn't official until 4:30 p.m. Friday, the deadline for dropping out or changing participation in races.

Eight candidates want to replace U.S. Rep. John Carney, D-Delaware, who is running for governor. Tuesday revealed there will be one more name in an already-crowded Democratic primary and that a Republican has dropped out.

The Democrats in the race are U.S. Marine Corps veteran Sean Barney, former State Secretary of Labor Lisa Blunt Rochester, accountant Mike Miller, state Sen. Bryan Townsend, former horticulturalist Scott Walker and Elias Weir, who lives in Newark and filed Tuesday. The primary is Sept. 13.

Weir, whose wife works for The News Journal, moved to Delaware last May. He came from New York, where he's lost three elections, one for New York City Council and twice running for state Senate. He said crime and land use issues related to over development are parts of his platform.

"I've been in the arena of politics. I know exactly what it takes to run an office. I know the ins and outs. Although I have not held office, I've worked alongside many politicians, many community activists, and we've been very successful in assuring the community stayed structured," Weir said.

Republican Hans Reigle, a former mayor of Wyoming, also has clinched his spot in the general election because Rose Izzo, who indicated she would run for the Congressional seat, did not file and will not appear on the ballot.

"One of my key issues was fighting to get money out of politics. This year I decided to start by not using my own money to pay the Delaware Republican Party the $3,480 filing fee to run for U.S. Congress," Izzo said in an email. "I want to wish all the contenders for this race the best of luck."

Scott Gesty, the state's Libertarian candidate, also will appear on the general election ballot.

Contact Adam Duvernay at (302) 324-2785 or aduvernay@delawareonline.com.