Mike Castle Decides Against Pursuing Write-In Senate Campaign

DOVER, Del. — Longtime Republican congressman Mike Castle has ruled out a write-in campaign in the U.S. Senate race in Delaware.

Castle is also a former two-term governor and the longest serving congressman in state history. He lost the GOP primary earlier this month in a stunning upset to tea party favorite Christine O'Donnell.

He issued a statement Wednesday night saying he had ruled out a write-in campaign, which many supporters had asked him to consider.

The decision brings an end to a political career stretching over four decades.

Castle had until Thursday afternoon to declare his candidacy in writing.

His decision leaves O'Donnell to face Democrat Chris Coons in November for the Senate seat long held by Joe Biden before he became vice president.

Comments

[sailor422]

09:54 AM on 10/01/2010

Very good news for the Dems. Much better that the only sane choice is Coons.

[LittleMittens]

02:43 AM on 10/01/2010

So, unless the dems forget to vote that day, Coons will be the winner...

[fignozzle]

01:21 AM on 10/01/2010

as a democrat, of course, this works for me, but as an American, it saddens me.

[taddles]

06:00 AM on 10/01/2010

Agreed, sad to see someone who has devoted 40 years of his life to public service booted by a lying steaming pile. The teabaggers of Delaware should be marched off the nearest cliff.

[jazzboy]

12:42 AM on 10/01/2010

Castle did the right thing -- now look for him to say he is privately voting for Coons.

[mistlesuede]

11:28 PM on 09/30/2010

Thank you Mr. Castle. You did the right thing for the country.

[thewholestory]

11:21 PM on 09/30/2010

I don't blame. I would just sit back and watch Christine O'Donnell and the TeaPublicans implode.

[army193]

10:43 PM on 09/30/2010

As a progressive, Congressman Mike Castle just showed true class. For him it’s not about absolute power for him. The Republicans was more interested into removing any moderate Republican that believes in working across the aisle.

[terry63]

12:36 AM on 10/01/2010

True class ? Castle never called Odonnel to congradulate her which is edicate, He insted went on a blame tour blaming and insulting everyone in Delaware, Class? He's a looser and a Rhino. Bye bye Castle.

[terry63]

12:37 AM on 10/01/2010

Castles first reaction as a Repub was to talk to Obama and Biden, That should tell you alot, Loosing castle was like loosing a seat to the DNC.

[jazzboy]

12:45 AM on 10/01/2010

Poor, deluded Terry63. Your candidates are losing seats they should have handily won.

Welcome Coons to the Senate (and to think two months ago, no one gave him a snowball's chance in Delaware).

[mommom]

01:54 AM on 10/01/2010

I hope you have been drinking.If not,I can see by your spelling and grammer that you are an average O'Donnel supporter.

[Seafarer61]

10:06 PM on 09/30/2010

Politicians who lose primary elections as a Republican or Democrat and subsequently decide to run as independents are NOT true independents. They are simply political kittens clinging to the rope with the campaign slogan "hang in there baby." Their lust for power supercedes the will of the electorate. It's a "Well, I'll show YOU folks" mentality.

You lost. Get on with your life. Too many politicians believe they are entitled to their positions and elections are just inconvenient events.

[jazzboy]

12:46 AM on 10/01/2010

I agree. Vote Coons!

[hrpmap]

09:15 PM on 09/30/2010

Whether domocrat or republican when the constituants dump you go home. This is the sign of a statesman.

[jazzboy]

12:46 AM on 10/01/2010

And bring on Coons!

[evangelicalchimp]

08:26 PM on 09/30/2010

i swear.......at first glance i swear i thought the headline was "White Castle Decides Against Pursuing Write in Senate Campaign"
and all i could think was........why the hell not......they make a hideous burger........why not wreck the Senate too!

5 sliders with extra onions please

[Callyson]

08:14 PM on 09/30/2010

Since I'm not from Delaware I don't know how likely this is, but perhaps Castle might join the Obama administration in some capacity after the election? Might be a good way for Obama to show bi-partisanship and stick it to the Tea Party at the same time...

[terry63]

12:40 AM on 10/01/2010

It wouldnt be Bi partisan Callyson, Castle always voted lock step with progressives except for health care thats because he would have been the only repub to vote for it. He is a rubber stamp for Obama thats why even someone as unelectable as ODonnel creamed him.

[taddles]

06:06 AM on 10/01/2010

The only correct part of your post "unelectable as ODonnel", yes she is.

http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/forecasts/senate/delaware

[jazzboy]

12:48 AM on 10/01/2010

That's an excellent point, Callyson -- is someone in the WH reading HP posts? We need to invite disaffected and disillusioned Republicans into the big Democratic tent.

[latia65]

07:55 PM on 09/30/2010

He didn't seem like his heart was in starting a write-in campaign. I think he's still stunned that Delaware voters cast him out in favor of O'Donnell.

[jazzboy]

12:49 AM on 10/01/2010

You meant to write: "I think he's still stunned that REPUBLICAN voters cast him out in favor of O'Donnell."

[latia65]

12:55 AM on 10/01/2010

I stand corrected.

:)

[danusgram]

06:24 PM on 09/30/2010

Carl Rove fingers wanting to see Old Christine going down in flames.

[HRN-STL]

05:45 PM on 09/30/2010

Anyone else annoyed with the title - Just say whether he's running or not

[TheFabOne]

05:17 PM on 09/30/2010

If the Dems were smart, they'd court Mike Castle and say 'look, you help us now, we'll work with you to help get you what you want later'.

Anything to keep BroomHilda from getting into the U.S. Senate.

[hrpmap]

09:19 PM on 09/30/2010

Too much of that back room mentality going arond already. No the man is right, show some dignity which is what he did.