Historically lopsided win in Rehoboth election

In a three-person race for two seats on the board of commissioners, Susan Stewart and Chris Galanty emerged victorious in Rehoboth Beach’s 2025 municipal election. It was one of the more lopsided races in the city’s history.

The election took place Aug. 9. Stewart finished first with 849 votes, Galanty was second with 806 votes and Jeffrey Goode finished third with 314 votes.

In all, there were 1,111 votes cast – 637 in person and 474 by absentee ballot. About 66% of the electorate participated. 

Immediately following the announcement of results, Stewart said the win felt great, but she’s also glad the election is over. Smiling, she said being the high vote getter also feels good, because she’s “a little competitive.”

Galanty said he’s elated about being elected, and deeply honored by the trust the voters have placed in him.

“This campaign was built on conversations at kitchen tables, front porches and local businesses, and that’s exactly how I’ll continue to lead: by listening, engaging and staying rooted in the community,” said Galanty, adding he’s committed to serving everyone in the community, whether they voted for him or not. “Now is the time to come together, focus on what matters most, and move forward with a shared love for Rehoboth Beach. Transparent, inclusive governance will be my guiding principle, and every voice will continue to matter.”

As for the lopsided nature of the results, Stewart said she thinks voters didn’t like the idea of having a husband and wife both being on city council.

Jeffrey Goode is the husband of sitting Commissioner Suzanne Goode.

The day after the election, Goode was defiant in defeat.

“Stewart and Galanty and their campaign supporters ran a smear campaign against my wife and me. There was little discussion of issues on their part. They resorted to character assassination with the help of an extensive list of emails of Rehoboth voters,” said Goode in an email Aug. 10. “We will now have a commission with six out of seven members who in lockstep will likely continue on the same path of deficit spending. But the people have spoken.”

Sitting Commissioners Edward Chrzanowski and Francis “Bunky” Markert did not seek re-election. Chrzanowski served as commissioner for two terms, while Markert served one.

Stewart and Galanty will be sworn in for their three-year terms during the city’s organizational meeting Friday, Sept. 19.

Historically lopsided results

According to election results dating back to 1990, this election was only the second time in the last 35 years that two commissioner candidates received more than 800 votes, and the first time it happened in a non-mayoral race. In 2020, when Mayor Stan Mills defeated former Mayor Paul Kuhns, Commissioner Patrick Gossett and former Commissioner Jay Lagree both breached the 800-vote count.

There’s only been one time when a candidate broke the 900-vote threshold. In 2017, when Kuhns defeated longtime Mayor Sam Cooper, former Commissioner Kathy McGuiness received 903 votes.

Prior to McGuiness, the closest a candidate came to exceeding 800 votes was former Commissioner Dennis Barbour, who got 790 in 2005.

Goode was the low vote-getter this year, and the 10th-lowest since 1990, but all he has to do is look to his wife as a source of inspiration for future campaigns. After receiving just 122 votes in 2019, the lowest tally since 1990, she received 521 votes and became a commissioner in 2024.

Editor’s note: This story has been changed to reflect the correct spelling of Commissioner Suzanne Goode’s first name.