QUESTIONS RAISED OVER DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE'S RESIDENCY ELIGIBILITY IN DELAWARE'S 3RD HOUSE DISTRICT
A memorandum submitted to Delaware State Election Commissioner Anthony Albence raises serious questions about whether Democratic candidate Branden Fletcher-Dominguez satisfied Delaware's constitutional residency requirements before seeking office.
Under the Delaware Constitution, candidates for the State House of Representatives must have lived in their district for at least one year before the election.
Records cited in the memorandum raise several concerns:
Property purchased in October 2025: The Wilmington residence listed by Fletcher-Dominguez was reportedly purchased after the one-year residency period began.
Zero recorded water usage: City water records reportedly show no consumption at the property across ten consecutive monthly readings from August 2025 through May 2026.
Ongoing renovations: City records reportedly identify the property as vacant, with extensive renovations underway and its certificate of occupancy still under review as of August 2026.
Questions about actual occupancy: A March 2026 social media post reportedly shows the residence undergoing significant interior construction.
These records raise an important question: Did Branden Fletcher-Dominguez actually meet the residency requirements established by Delaware law?
The memorandum requests that the Department of Elections review the candidate's residency documentation and determine whether the constitutional and statutory requirements were satisfied.
The Delaware Republican Party believes that election laws must be applied fairly and consistently to every candidate, regardless of political affiliation.
Delaware voters deserve transparency, accountability, and answers.
Read the memorandum below.
Seattle should be a warning to Delaware.
High taxes, rising costs, shrinking office occupancy, thousands of lost jobs, and major employers shifting jobs and investment elsewhere have put real pressure on one of America’s most recognizable business hubs.
Now, the same kinds of policies are gaining ground here at home. Working Families Party and DSA-backed candidates are advancing an agenda built around higher taxes, a Green New Deal, government-run healthcare, eliminating cash bail, and expanding government control over more of the economy.
Delaware’s success has always depended on being a place where businesses want to invest, grow, hire, and stay.
We should learn from Seattle’s mistakes, not repeat them.
Protect Delaware jobs. Protect Delaware businesses. Protect Delaware’s future.
DELAWARE NEEDS YOU!
Election Day is approaching, and the Delaware Republican Party is looking for poll watchers and volunteers across the state to help us prepare for November 3.
Whether you can serve as a poll watcher, assist with Election Day operations, help with voter outreach, or lend a hand behind the scenes, your time can make a difference. Training and additional information will be provided to volunteers.
Ready to help? Contact the Delaware Republican Party:
Phone: 302-668-1954 Delaware GOP
Email Dee Hawkins: [email protected]
Join our team and help us make sure Republicans are organized, prepared, and represented across Delaware this Election Day.
Happy to be in Delaware Friday night with the @DelawareGOP and @yrnational Chairman @haydenpadgett.
The YR’s have organized days-of-action all over the country and are working hard for our common sense Republican candidates!
MEET THE CANDIDATES | TANYA HETTLER & BRENT BURDGE
Meet two Republican candidates running for the Delaware General Assembly: Tanya Hettler for House District 6 and Brent Burdge for Senate District 5.
TANYA HETTLER | HOUSE DISTRICT 6
“At the heart of my campaign is a simple principle: Delawareans deserve transparency and the information they need to make informed decisions. For more than 17 years, Delaware state government has been controlled by one political party. I believe long-term one-party control can reduce accountability and make it harder for voters to get the full picture on important issues. Delawareans deserve honest information about how their government is performing and how its policies affect their families.”
Learn more:
https://t.co/BTjhinTX7c
Facebook:
Dr. Tanya Hettler District 6 Rep
BRENT BURDGE | STATE SENATE DISTRICT 5
“I am concerned about the direction of our state, after decades of single-party rule by the Democrats. In my district (and too many others), even incumbent Democrats are losing to primary opponents that represent the Democratic Socialists and the Working Families Party. We need to restore common sense representation in our General Assembly and support Delaware families, rather than an extreme agenda.”
Learn more:
https://t.co/c5xGI4LxYq
Facebook:
Burdge for Change
GOTV | REPUBLICAN DAY OF ACTION
This Saturday, October 3rd, the Delaware Republican Party is organizing a statewide Day of Action with local candidates and volunteers in all three counties.
Participants will meet at 9:00 AM at Republican headquarters in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties before heading into communities for door-to-door voter outreach.
RNC and State Party staff will also be available to provide guidance on canvassing, best practices, and voter-contact tools.
Candidates participating should come prepared with targeted neighborhoods, walking lists, volunteer contacts, and campaign literature.
Meeting Locations — 9:00 AM
New Castle County: Colonial Region Republican HQ, 160 Peoples Plaza, Newark, DE 19702
Kent County: Kent County Republican HQ, 2151 S. Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901
Sussex County: Sussex County Republican HQ, 131 E. Market St., Georgetown, DE 19947
Volunteers interested in participating can join the group at their local county headquarters on Saturday morning.
Thank you to @RepNancyMace for sharing this moment from Delaware’s congressional debate.
On September 17, Republican U.S. House nominee Joe Arminio was removed from a candidate forum after referring to Rep. Sarah McBride as male. The moderator cited the event’s rules of decorum and asked him to leave.
Delawareans deserve a real debate, not a debate that ends the moment a Republican nominee refuses to recite the other side’s talking points. We stand with the First Amendment. Candidates should be able to speak, voters should be able to hear them, and no forum should substitute enforced language for open political argument.
Stand with Delaware Republicans: https://t.co/0tJ7chWSVn
Politicians aren't in office to make you feel good about yourself.
Speaking the truth, putting the American people first, and being transparent is the job.
Here's some truth: Tim McBride is 100% a MAN.
Thank you to @EricLDaugh for sharing this moment from Delaware’s congressional debate.
On September 17, Republican U.S. House nominee Joe Arminio was removed from a candidate forum after referring to Rep. Sarah McBride as male. The moderator cited the event’s rules of decorum and asked him to leave.
Delawareans deserve a real debate, not a debate that ends the moment a Republican nominee refuses to recite the other side’s talking points. We stand with the First Amendment. Candidates should be able to speak, voters should be able to hear them, and no forum should substitute enforced language for open political argument.
Stand with Delaware Republicans: https://t.co/0tJ7chWSVn
🚨 UPDATE: GOP Congressional candidate Joe Arminio got KICKED OUT of a forum debate in Delaware because he "misgendered" transgender Rep. Tim "Sarah" McBride (D)
Arminio used "his" and "gentleman" to reference McBride 🤣
HE'S RIGHT!
Tim McBride IS A DUDE. This is a man. An adult human male.
Thank you to @atensnut for sharing this moment from Delaware’s congressional debate.
On September 17, Republican U.S. House nominee Joe Arminio was removed from a candidate forum after referring to Rep. Sarah McBride as male. The moderator cited the event’s rules of decorum and asked him to leave.
Delawareans deserve a real debate, not a debate that ends the moment a Republican nominee refuses to recite the other side’s talking points. We stand with the First Amendment. Candidates should be able to speak, voters should be able to hear them, and no forum should substitute enforced language for open political argument.
Stand with Delaware Republicans: https://t.co/0tJ7chWSVn
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR REPUBLICAN PRIMARY WINNERS!
Congratulations to the Republican candidates who came out on top in last night’s Delaware Primary Election. We also recognize Morgan Hudson, who currently leads the District 33 Republican Primary but whose victory remains unconfirmed pending the official recount.
Dr. Mike Katz — U.S. Senate
Joseph “Dr. Joe” Arminio — U.S. House of Representatives
Gary Taylor — State Representative, District 8
Morgan Hudson — State Representative, District 33 — UNCONFIRMED WINNER, RECOUNT PENDING
Rep. Bryan Shupe — State Representative, District 36
John Atkins — State Representative, District 41
IMPORTANT DISTRICT 33 UPDATE:
Morgan Hudson currently leads Matt Bucher by 7 votes, 1,017 to 1,010. Because of the extremely close margin, a recount is required. Hudson is included here as the current apparent winner, but the result has not yet been officially confirmed.
Follow the candidates on social media:
Dr. Mike Katz
Facebook: Dr. Mike Katz for U.S. Senate – Delaware
Instagram: @drmikekatz
X: @drmikekatz
Joseph “Dr. Joe” Arminio
Facebook: Dr. Joe for Congress
Instagram: @drjoeforcongress
X: @drjoeforcongress
Gary Taylor
Facebook: Gary Taylor for Delaware State Representative
Morgan Hudson — District 33, unconfirmed pending recount
Facebook: Morgan Hudson / Hudson for the 33rd
TikTok: HudsonForward
Rep. Bryan Shupe
Facebook: @BryanShupeDE
John Atkins
Facebook: John Atkins
Instagram: Friends to Elect John Atkins
The confirmed nominees listed above won their Republican primaries Tuesday; Hudson’s District 33 contest remains subject to a recount.
@haydenpadgett of the @yrnational has a message about the upcoming HOLD THE LINE event on Friday, September 25th at Brittingham Farms in Millsboro.
Hayden will be joined by RNC Co-Chair KC Crosbie for a moderated discussion followed by a Q&A. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served, and a cash bar will be available throughout the evening.
VIP Admission — $150
Entry from 4:00–4:30 PM
Exclusive Meet & Greet
Photo opportunity with KC Crosbie and Hayden Padgett
Early access before General Admission
General Admission — $125
Doors open at 4:30 PM
Registration and additional event information are available here:
https://t.co/oDIFI90DRO
KC Crosbie has a message for Delaware Republicans: sign up now and join us for HOLD THE LINE!
On Friday, September 25th, the Delaware Republican Party will welcome RNC Co-Chair KC Crosbie and Hayden Padgett of the Young Republican National Federation to Brittingham Farms in Millsboro for an evening of conversation, fellowship, and Republican unity.
The program will feature a moderated discussion followed by a Q&A, along with heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.
VIP Admission — $150
Entry from 4:00–4:30 PM
Exclusive Meet & Greet
Photo opportunity with KC Crosbie and Hayden Padgett
Early access before General Admission
General Admission — $125
Doors open at 4:30 PM
Don’t wait to reserve your spot. Come hear directly from our guests and join Republicans from across Delaware as we HOLD THE LINE heading into the 2026 election.
Purchase your tickets here:
https://t.co/oDIFI90DRO
Happy Labor Day from the Delaware Republican Party as we honor the hardworking men and women whose dedication, skill, and determination keep Delaware and our nation moving forward.
MEET THE CANDIDATES | HOUSE DISTRICT 8 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
EARLY VOTING IS UNDERWAY
Republican voters in House District 8 can vote early in Delaware’s 2026 Primary Election.
Early voting dates, times, and locations:
https://t.co/ZfTyvEutNx
Two Republicans are seeking the nomination for House District 8: Watara Heath and Gary Taylor.
WATARA HEATH
“I am running because I believe Delaware can be safer, stronger, and more accountable while still treating people with dignity and compassion. My career working alongside families, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, first responders, and community organizations has shown me that crime, addiction, mental health, and homelessness are often interconnected and require practical, balanced solutions. We must protect our communities by enforcing laws and holding individuals accountable for criminal behavior, while also addressing the underlying challenges through treatment, education, opportunity, and personal responsibility. Government should provide a hand up, not a permanent handout, and taxpayer dollars must be spent responsibly, with transparency about where funds are allocated and clear evidence that programs are achieving results. I want to bring practical experience, objective evidence, fiscal responsibility, and common-sense leadership to Legislative Hall to help build safer communities and a stronger Delaware.”
Learn more:
https://t.co/Xw7pwl35ZU
Facebook: https://t.co/gNABsVLcw4
GARY TAYLOR
“Campaigning for elected office was not on my bingo card for 2026. The closest I've come to politics is serving as HOA president for the last 15 years. I could no longer sit on the sidelines while decisions made in Dover continued to negatively impact our families, small businesses, and public safety here in Middletown. My commitment is simple: understand the issues, explain them clearly, and vote in the best interest of our community—not based on party bosses.”
Learn more:
https://t.co/DXqEC6iihK
Facebook: https://t.co/gZrkKhIbWD
Make your voice heard in the House District 8 Republican Primary.
MEET THE CANDIDATES | HOUSE DISTRICT 36 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
EARLY VOTING STARTS TODAY
Today is the first day of early voting for Delaware’s 2026 Primary Election. Republican voters in House District 36 will have the opportunity to choose their nominee for State Representative.
Find early voting dates, times, and locations here:
https://t.co/ZfTyvEv1D5
Two Republican candidates are seeking the nomination to represent House District 36. Meet incumbent State Representative Bryan Shupe and Patrick Smith.
BRYAN SHUPE
Incumbent State Representative Bryan Shupe is seeking reelection to continue representing the people of House District 36.
“I’m a small business owner who’s spent 15+ years making payroll, creating jobs, and rebuilding our community in Milford. I live the same rising costs and challenges your family faces every day.”
Learn more about Bryan:
https://t.co/5WXu2dHVZb
Follow Bryan on Facebook:
https://t.co/8chmeQzDOV
PATRICK SMITH
Patrick Smith is running to represent House District 36 and bring accessible, reliable, and productive representation to the district.
“Delawareans want honest and reliable representation, both at Legislative Hall and locally within their own communities. I aim to bring availability and productivity to the District 36 House Seat, in addition to renewed optimism that the Republican Party is still very pronounced in Sussex County. We deserve better in District 36. We deserve someone who represents who we are and how we live, and that is why I have worked tirelessly to deliver that to the people of District 36.”
Learn more about Patrick:
https://t.co/3ujoeHwt7M
Follow Patrick on social media:
Facebook: Patrick Smith For Delaware
Instagram: @patricksmithfordelaware
Make your voice heard in the House District 36 Republican Primary.