Political Career
Dissatisfied with the state of Delaware politics, in 2002 Charlie challenged his incumbent Republican State Senator, Dallas Winslow, in a primary election for the 4th State Senate District. Copeland defeated Winslow in the primary, and went on to win over 70% of the vote in the general election, in the Republican district that November, demonstrating popularity with both Independents and moderate Democrats, as well as with Republicans. Charlie has represented the Brandywine Hundred to Hockessin area Senate District from 2002 to 2008.
In both the primary and election for State Senate, Charlie ran on a platform of effectiveness in government, lower taxes, increased governmental transparency, economic growth, and education reform.
In 2006, Charlie was elected Minority Leader of his caucus. He was the youngest serving Minority Leader in the Delaware State Senate since Delaware Congressman Mike Castle held the same position in the 1970s.
Charlie retired from the State Senate in June 2008. In May 2008, Charlie was unanimously endorsed by his party to be the candidate for Lieutenant Governor of the State of Delaware, an office elected independently from that of the Governor's. Despite garnering more votes than John McCain and Bill Lee Charlie Copeland was unable to beat the 2008 Democratic landslide that transformed Delaware into a one party state. Then-state Insurance Commissioner Matthew P. Denn defeated Copeland by a 61% to 39% margin .
Read more about this topic: Charles L. Copeland
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