Tom Carper - United States Senator

United States Senator

The elections of 2000 promised to bring a change in Delaware's political lineup. For 16 years, the same four people had held the four major statewide positions. Because of gubernatorial term limits, Carper had to retire from the post. Both he and U.S. Representative Michael N. Castle wanted to be U.S. Senator. Incumbent Senator William V. Roth, Jr., would not retire voluntarily and fellow Republican Castle would not force him into a primary. In a contest between two popular and respected politicians, the issue seemed to be Roth's age versus Carper's relative youth. Carper defeated Roth by over ten points. Roth received more votes than Presidential candidate George W. Bush, however, suggesting that the strength of the Democratic turnout was a boon to Carper's candidacy and a key factor in his victory.

Carper won reelection to a second term in 2006 against Republican candidate Jan C. Ting. He served with the Democratic minority in the 108th and 109th Congresses, and was part of the Democratic majority in the 110th Congress. At the beginning of the 107th Congress, the Democratic Party was in the minority, but later held the majority. Carper is a member of the moderate Democratic Leadership Council (DLC), of which he currently serves as Vice-Chairman. In December 2004, Carper became a part of the Senate Democratic Leadership. As a member of a four-person "Executive Committee", he is one of four deputy whips. David Broder of the Washington Post has called Carper "a notably effective and nonpartisan leader, admired and trusted on both sides of the aisle."