Delaware State Senate Republican Caucus

09/09/2026

September is Veterans Su***de Prevention Month in Delaware.

Earlier this year, Senator Brian Pettyjohn introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 222 to officially recognize September 2026 as Veterans Su***de Prevention Month in our state. Our veterans answered the call to serve our country. We have a responsibility to make sure they know they never have to face a crisis alone.

Throughout September, we will be sharing resources and information that veterans, their families, and all Delawareans can use to recognize when someone may need help and connect them with support.

Call 988 and Press 1
Text 838255
Visit VeteransCrisisLine.net

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day from the Delaware Senate Republican Caucus!

We hope you’re enjoying the long weekend, spending time with family and friends, and are able to take a well deserved day to relax and recharge. Have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day!

09/02/2026

Last night, Senate and House Republicans joined Patrolman Chad Spicer’s family, law enforcement officers, friends, and members of the community to remember Chad and honor his service and sacrifice.

Chad was killed in the line of duty on September 1, 2009. Each year, the wreath laying ceremony provides an opportunity to remember his service, celebrate his life, and reflect on the lasting impact he had on those who knew him.

For our caucus, the evening was especially meaningful as we stood alongside Chad’s mother, Ruth Ann. Ruth Ann has been a part of our caucus family for the past few years, working alongside us during legislative session. We are grateful to have her as part of our family and were honored to stand with her and the rest of Chad’s loved ones as we remembered him.

Seventeen years later, Chad’s service and sacrifice have not been forgotten. We will continue to remember his life, honor his legacy, and keep his family in our prayers.

09/02/2026

Early voting for this year's primary election begins tomorrow, Wednesday, September 2 at 7:00 a.m.

For polling locations and more information, check out the link in the comments.

09/01/2026

Energy demand is growing while the grid is facing increasing pressure.

That's why Republicans supported legislation like HB 186, introduced by Representative Kevin Hensley and Senator Brian Pettyjohn, to incentivize the construction of up to three high-efficiency natural gas power plants.

Senators Hocker and Pettyjohn are also working with stakeholders on what it would take to bring the Indian River Power Plant back online. We also support keeping nuclear energy on the table as part of Delaware's long-term energy strategy.

The answer to growing demand cannot simply be to add more mandates and fees to the existing system. We need more baseload generation, a diverse energy portfolio, and a stronger grid.

08/31/2026

08/31/2026

As students head back to school, it is a good time for all of us to slow down and pay a little extra attention on the road.

Please watch for school buses stopping to pick up and drop off students, children waiting at bus stops, and kids walking or biking to school. Be especially alert for children crossing the road and remember that they may not always be easy to see.

Wishing Delaware students, parents, educators, and school staff a safe and successful school year!

08/28/2026

Nearly 20 years ago, Delaware joined the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a carbon cap-and-trade program that requires power plants to purchase emissions allowances.

Those costs don't disappear. They become part of the cost of generating electricity.

Spearheaded by Senate Republican Leader Gerald Hocker, Senate Republicans have supported efforts to get Delaware out of RGGI and pursue a different approach to energy policy. If our goal is lower electric bills and more reliable power, we should be asking a simple question about every energy mandate:

Does this policy make electricity more affordable and encourage more generation, or does it make the opposite more likely?

We believe Delaware should be creating an environment where companies want to build power generation, not one where additional costs make investment more difficult.

08/26/2026

Delaware's Renewable Portfolio Standard requires regulated electricity suppliers to obtain an increasing percentage of their electricity from renewable sources.

When Delmarva Power cannot meet that requirement, it must make an Alternative Compliance Payment. In 2025 alone, Delmarva Power and its customers made a $14,370,700 payment.

Supporters sometimes point out that the ACP may only represent a few dollars on an individual electric bill. But when families are already dealing with higher costs everywhere else, every additional charge matters. When those costs are created by state policy, the General Assembly has an obligation to take a hard look at whether that policy is working.

Through House Bill 80, Republicans proposed reducing the RPS mandate. Due to lack of bipartisan support, it did not clear the committee process.

We believe Delaware needs energy policies that make electricity more affordable, not more expensive.

08/24/2026

Delaware families deserve electricity they can afford and count on.

During the 153rd General Assembly, Republicans in the legislature proposed and supported a number of solutions aimed at lowering energy costs, increasing power generation and strengthening the electric grid.

From reducing Delaware's Renewable Portfolio Standard and pursuing an exit from RGGI, to encouraging new natural gas generation, supporting nuclear energy and requiring massive new data centers to help provide the power they consume, we believe Delaware needs a different approach to energy policy.

The goal is simple: more reliable power, more generation and lower bills.

We've put together a look at what Republicans proposed and supported during the 153rd General Assembly and what we believe needs to happen next.

Read the full piece on our Substack. Link in the comments.