Early voting starts for 37th seat

A special election is being held for the 37th District in the Delaware House of Representatives following the resignation of former Rep. Ruth Briggs King, who recently moved out of the district. Briggs King had held the seat since being elected in a special election in 2009 for the seat vacated by former Rep. Joe Booth.

The winner of the election will immediately serve as the representative of the 37th District.  

Democrat

Jane Hovington

Age: 73

Hometown: Georgetown

Family: Husband Ronnie; four adult children, 3 sons, 1 daughter

Education: B.S. criminal justice, Wilmington University

Relevant experience: Chair, Sussex County Democratic Party, chair of the board of adjustment for the Town of Georgetown, chair of the Richard Allen Coalition, member of the Racial Equity Consortium for Delaware, former chair of the Sussex County branch of the NAACP and former member of Georgetown Town Council.

Reason for running: Because of the fact that I feel we need a Democrat in Dover. I feel I can assist all who are there, and work with them.

Republican

Valerie Jones Giltner

Age: 57

Hometown: Georgetown

Family: Husband John Roehl; two adult children, Parker and Olivia

Education: Sussex Central High School; Wesley College nursing degree; attended Capella University for business, finance.

Relevant experience: I am a registered nurse with experience in critical care and flight nursing. My healthcare career includes clinical consulting and medical sales of architectural, communications and clinical capital equipment for healthcare systems ranging in size from Integrated Delivery Networks with 50-plus hospitals to the local hospitals on the Delmarva Peninsula. I have been a landlord for 30-plus years and have volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, Delaware Food Bank, DCHS PTFB and Delaware Elite youth basketball.

Reason for running: I am committed to strengthening working families, protecting citizens’ rights, maintaining safe and secure classrooms, limiting burdensome government regulations and ensuring affordable housing in Sussex County.

Early voting for the special election begins 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 8, and Dec. 11-14. The times change to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Dec. 15-19. All early voting is held at the Department of Elections, Georgetown Warehouse, 542 South Bedford St., Georgetown.

Election Day hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 21, at the voter’s assigned polling place.

The Georgetown polling places are:

• North Georgetown Elementary School, 664 N. Bedford St., for 37-01
• Georgetown Elementary School, 301-A West Market St., for 37-02
• Sussex Central High School, 26026 Patriots Way, for 37-04
• Georgetown Elementary School, 301-A West Market St., for 37-05
• Sussex Tech High School, 17099 County Seat Hwy., for 37-08
• Howard T. Ennis School, 26021 Patriots Way, for 37-10
• Sports at the Beach, 22518 Lewes Georgetown Hwy., for 37-12

Lewes polling sites are:

• Lighthouse Baptist Church, 21265 John J. Williams Hwy. for 37-06
• Cool Spring Presbyterian Church, 28843 Log Cabin Hill Road, for 37-07
• Lighthouse Baptist Church, 21265 John J. Williams Hwy., for 37-09

Millsboro polling sites are:

• Zoar Church Hall, 24463 Gravel Hill Road, for 37-03
• New Life Bible Fellowship Church, 24771 Cannon Road, for 37-11