Former Governor and Congressman Mike Castle passed away on Thursday. He was 86.
Castle was the last Republican from Delaware to serve as a member of Congress and Governor.
Castle came from a family with roots dating back to colonial times and the founding of the republic. His fifth grandfather was founding father Benjamin Franklin and another grandfather was a signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Tributes
State Senate Republicans
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Governor and U.S. Representative Mike Castle. Congressman Castle’s decades of dedicated public service left an enduring mark on our state. From his time in the Delaware General Assembly to serving as Lieutenant Governor, Governor, and Delaware’s lone member of the U.S. House of Representatives, he was a tireless advocate for the people he represented.
“His leadership, civility, and commitment to Delaware will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and all who were fortunate to know him.”
Governor Meyer
“Today, Delaware mourns the passing of a remarkable public servant, Mike Castle. As governor and our state’s longest-serving U.S. Representative, he embodied what it means to lead with principle, decency, and dedication.
“During his time as governor, Mike Castle visited every single school in our state, including mine, where he spoke to my high school class with the same warmth, humility, and commitment to public service that defined his career. That moment, among others, demonstrated what a good man he was and how deeply he cared about Delaware’s future.
“He expanded access to cancer and diabetes screenings, brought health care directly to our schools, and developed community health-care centers that continue to serve Delawareans today. He strengthened our public schools and led with fiscal discipline, keeping Delaware on a sound financial foundation for years to come.
“With humor and grit, his work kept Delawareans’ interests at heart and earned him widespread respect lasting far beyond partisan lines."
Delaware House Democrats
A popular politician who lost in the GOP primary
The son of a DuPont Co. lawyer, Castle was a traditional middle-of-the-road Republican like his friend and colleague, the late U.S. Sen. Bill Roth. Castle's long political career ended when he was defeated in a primarily battle a decade and a half ago by Christine O'Donnell. O'Donnell went on to be defeated by former New Castle County Executive Chris Coons. Coons continues to hold the seat that became vacant after then U.S. Sen. Joe Biden became vice president.
Castle, who always attracted votes from Democrats crossing party lines, had been an odds-on favorite to gain a Senate seat. Castle, at the time, indicated that he would serve one term in the upper chamber.
Castle's loss contributed the decline of the GOP in northern Delaware, with Democrats gaining a bigger edge in voter registration.
There are no Republican state senators north of the C&D Canal and the number of state House members is down to one in the same area.
A succession of Republican Party leaders have been unable to field candidates in the mold of Castle, with the party turning to the right while retaining its stronghold in rapidly growing Sussex County.
In other blue states like Maryland and Vermont, moderate Republicans have served as governor and in other posts.
In honor of Castle’s service to the State of Delaware, Gov. Meyer ordered flags at all state-owned buildings and facilities to be flown at half-staff until sunset on Thursday, August 21.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.