Republican candidates for U.S. Senate make their pitch

Delaware’s primary is less than three months away, and the Republican candidates for U.S. Senator were in Milton recently, pitching why they should be the party representative to take on Democratic incumbent Tom Carper.

Rob Arlett serves on Sussex County council member representing the 5th District. He also served as President Donald Trump's Delaware state campaign chairman during the 2016 presidential election.

Gene Truono is a Wilmington-based attorney with over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry.

The June 18 debate, which began with prepared questions and then moved into audience participation, was sponsored by the Eastern Sussex Republican Club and was moderated by Mike Bradley, WGMD news broadcaster before a nearly full house at the Milton Theatre.

On most of the issues - the size of government, chain migration, tariffs, North Korea and voting rights - Arlett and Truono have similar thoughts that fall along party lines. It is their personal lives that separate the two. Arlett and his wife, Lorna, been married for 29 years. She is a native of Vietnam, and he said she went through the immigration process legally. Truono said he is openly gay and married.

Arlett said he would best represent the GOP against Carper because he’s the one Carper is worried about. Carper knows his inability to get things accomplished will be exposed, Arlett said.

Truono said he would be the best to take on Carper because he’s the outsider, like Trump was. It’s time for Carper to retire, and there needs to be some fresh ideas, Truono said.

One person asked how many times the candidates would be willing to debate in the lead up to the primary.

Arlett said he was happy to do as many debates as Republican constituents wanted, as long as it was going to be a fair debate. Some groups have already made their endorsements and will not do those events, he said.

Truono said he would debate anyone, anytime, anywhere.

As of press deadline, June 21, neither Arlett or Truono had filed as a candidate with the Delaware Department of Elections.

The deadline for candidates to file for a statewide office and all other offices is noon, Tuesday, July 10. The statewide primary election is Thursday, Sept. 6. The deadline to register to vote in the primary is Saturday, Aug. 11. The statewide general election is Tuesday, Nov. 6. The deadline to register to vote in the general election is Saturday, Oct. 13.