For IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 3, 2009

– REPUBLICAN BRINGS LOCAL, STATE EXPERIENCE TO SENATE –

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Republican Joe Booth won a major victory in tonight’s special election win to the Delaware Senate for the open 19th District seat.  Booth’s strong win tonight marks the 14th win for Republicans in state legislative special elections across the country.  Overall, Republicans have gained 5 seats in state legislative contests since November 2008.  Booth’s victory tonight is the second special election win for Republicans in Delaware.  The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC), the nation’s largest caucus of Republican state leaders, congratulated Booth on his election to the Delaware Senate.

“Joe Booth’s win is indicative of the sentiment of the people that they want leaders who will rein in government spending and provide accountability.  That is exactly the leadership and experience Joe will bring to the Senate,” said Republican State Leadership Committee President Scott Ward.  “This is a hard fought victory by Joe and we congratulate him on his outstanding campaign.  This is the second win for Republicans in special elections for the Delaware legislature – sending a strong message that people want a limited government and feel the federal government is overreaching.”

The RSLC implemented a new media strategy focusing on the special elections in state legislatures across the country – including Delaware – to heighten the awareness of the importance of winning these seats.  In addition to Booth’s success tonight, Republicans have won thirteen other special elections for the state legislature since November, including: Tom Kovach from the 6th District of the Del. House, which includes Vice President Joe Biden’s hometown; Joan Huffman came from behind to win in a run-off election for the Texas Senate; Marilinda Garcia in the 4th House District of N.H.; Rosa Rebimbas from the 70th House District of Conn.; and Barry Knight from the 81st House District of Va. in the backyard of DNC Chairman Governor Tim Kaine.

The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) is the only national organization whose mission is electing Republicans to the office of Attorney General, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State and State Legislator. The RSLC is the largest caucus of Republican state leaders in the country – making a national impact one state at a time.  During the 2008 election the RSLC helped maintain the number of Republican Attorneys General and Lieutenant Governors across the U.S. In addition, the RSLC was able to deliver new Republican majorities in the Montana, Oklahoma and Tennessee state senates, as well as an unprecedented majority in the Tennessee House of Representatives.

The RSLC has over 75,000 donors from all 50 states supporting the RSLC’s goals to pursue a pro-growth agenda, including reforming the tax code, healthcare and legal systems; promoting a better educational system; encouraging sound energy initiatives; and advocating public safety through tough, crime-fighting policies.