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Sep 10, 2008 10:15 am US/Eastern
Markell Takes Democratic Nomination For Del. Gov.
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) ―
State treasurer Jack Markell has defeated Lt. Gov. John Carney to win Delaware's hotly contested Democratic gubernatorial nomination, while retired judge Bill Lee coasted to victory in the Republican primary.
Unofficial results showed Markell with 51 percent of the vote. He led Carney by about 1,700 votes. On the Republican side, Lee garnered 72 percent, to rival Michael Protack's 28 percent.
In his victory speech, Markell praised Carney for his service, and said he looks forward to working with him in the future.
Markell urged his supporters to work with him as he tries to persuade voters in November to give him "a mandate for progress." A dejected Carney said he would continue working to serve the state, and he urged his followers to support Markell.
Lee said in a phone interview that he was thrilled with his margin of victory. Despite losing to Lee, Protack, an airline pilot, will appear on the gubernatorial ballot in November as the Independent Party of Delaware's candidate.
On the Net:
Lee campaign: http://www.leedelaware.com
Markell campaign: http://www.markell.org
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