Tom Carper Out!

Delaware senator Tom Carper retires.

Delaware senator Tom Carper, longtime Democratic lawmaker announces he is retiring.

He stated that at large House member Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) should run. She has not confirmed any intentions but she is favored if she does. She is the first African American woman to be elected a member of U.S. House of Representatives. 

It puts another seat up for grabs in the 2024 elections. Mind you that nothing is off the table. Ohio, Arizona, West Virginia, Montana and Michigan will be the toughest fights for the Democrats. 

Maryland, Virginia, Nevada, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Maine will possibly challenging if moderate Republicans jump into the race. Democrats face an uphill battle. 

Ohio's Sherrod Brown has at least a 54% chance of winning.

Nevada's Jacky Rosen has at least a 52% chance of winning.

Montana's Jon Tester has at least a 49% chance of winning.

Arizona's Kyrsten Sinema has at least a 48% chance of winning.

West Virginia's Joe Manchin has at least a 51% chance of winning.

Maine's Angus King has at least a 58% chance of winning.

Pennsylvania's Bob Casey, Jr. has at least a 54% chance of winning.

Florida's Rick Scott has at least a 55% chance of winning.

Texas' Ted Cruz has at least a 57% chance of winning.

Wisconsin's Tammy Baldwin has at least a 51% chance of winning.

Nebraska's Pete Ricketts has at least a 60% chance of winning.

Carper, 76 served as governor of Delaware before winning four terms as a Delaware senator. His retirement may cause a pitched battle among Democrats to win the party's primary for the deep blue seat. Carper did indicate support for a specific successor on Monday.

Carper endorsed Lisa Blunt Rochester's potential Senate run.

"While nothing is forever, the Delaware Democratic Party is blessed today with a bench as strong as any I’ve ever seen in the 50 years that I’ve called Delaware home," Carper said in a press conference. "If there was ever an opportune time to step aside and pass the torch to the next generation, it’s coming, and it will be here on January 3, 2025. 

"But, until then, God willing, I’ll continue working 60-hour weeks and coming home on the train most nights as long as Martha keeps leaving the light on for me," he added.

Carper says he called Rochester Monday morning and said he was "getting out of the way" in order for her to run. He said she accepted his support but then he declined to say whether she plans to run.

Carper is one of several Democrats who have announced their retirements in 2024. A total of 34 Senate seats – 20 currently held by Democrats, 11 currently held by Republicans and three currently held by independents – will be up for grabs in the next cycle. The three independent senators currently caucus with Democrats in the Senate, meaning Democrats will be tasked with defending 23 of the 34 seats in 2024 if they wish to maintain their majority in the legislative body.

Carper's retirement does not present a major risk of flipping red, however, as the state's electorate leans heavily toward Democrats.

No confirmation of running from the controversial independent Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona or Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia. These two have stood in the way of getting President Joe Biden's key issues from being passed. They often support the president in about 90% of his agenda but sparred with the party's progressive base often.