2000 Delaware gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2000 United States gubernatorial elections.

The 2000 Delaware gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 2000, coinciding with the U.S. presidential election. Incumbent Governor Tom Carper was term-limited and instead successfully ran for the United States Senate. Lieutenant Governor and Democratic nominee Ruth Ann Minner squared off against Republican nominee John M. Burris and won in a landslide on election day.

2000 Delaware gubernatorial election

← 1996 November 7, 2000 2004 →

Nominee Ruth Ann Minner John M. Burris Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 191,695 128,603 Percentage 59.2% 39.8%

County results House district results Minner:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Burris:      40–50%      50–60%

Governor before election Tom Carper Democratic Elected Governor Ruth Ann Minner Democratic

Primaries

Democratic Party

• Ruth Ann Minner, Lieutenant Governor of Delaware

Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Ruth Ann Minner	38,779	100.00

Republican Party

• John M. Burris, former state Chamber of Commerce President^[1] and 1984 Republican nominee for the United States Senate
• Bill Lee, former Delaware Superior Court Justice

Republican primary results^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John M. Burris	13,893	50.08
	Republican	Bill Lee	13,847	49.92
Total votes			27,740	100.00

Independent Party of Delaware

• Floyd E. McDowell

Campaign

Debates

• Complete video of debate, October 17, 2000
• Complete video of debate, October 23, 2000

Results

Delaware gubernatorial election, 2000^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Ruth Ann Minner	191,695	59.24%	−10.25%
	Republican	John M. Burris	128,603	39.75%	+9.24%
	Independent Party	Floyd E. McDowell	3,271	1.01%
Majority			63,092	19.50%	−19.49%
Turnout			323,569
	Democratic hold		Swing

By county

By county
County Ruth Ann Minner Democratic John Burris Republican All Others # % # % # % Kent 27,164 57.08 20,073 42.18 356 0.75 New Castle 127,112 60.28 81,311 38.56 2,462 1.17 Sussex 37,419 57.49 27,219 41.82 453 0.7 Totals 191,695 59.24 128,603 39.75 3,271 1.01