Peter Schwartzkopf Explained

Peter Schwartzkopf
Office:	Speaker of the Delaware House of Representatives
Term Start:	January 8, 2013
Term End:	June 30, 2023
Predecessor:	Robert Gilligan
Successor:	Valerie Longhurst
Office1:	Majority Leader of the Delaware House of Representatives
Term Start1:	January 13, 2009
Term End1:	January 8, 2013
Predecessor1:	Richard C. Cathcart
Successor1:	Valerie Longhurst
State House2:	Delaware
District2:	14th
Term Start2:	November 6, 2002
Predecessor2:	Richard DiLiberto
Birth Date:	15 January 1955
Birth Place:	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Party:	Democratic
Education:	Delaware Technical Community College Wilmington University (BA)
Nationality:	American

Peter C. Schwartzkopf (born January 15, 1955) is an American politician and former Speaker of the Delaware House of Representatives. A member of the Democratic Party, he has represented the 14th district since 2002.^[1] His district covers Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, and Dewey Beach in Sussex County. Prior to his election to the House, he was a state police officer.^[2]

He served as Majority Leader of the House from 2009 to 2013 before being elected Speaker of the House in 2013.^[1] He stepped down from his role as speaker in June 2024 and was replaced by Valerie Longhurst.^[3]

In 2023, Schwartzkopf announced his intention to not seek reelection in the following year. He subsequently endorsed former state auditor Kathy McGuiness to take his seat representing the 14th district.^[4] Schwartzkopf is a longtime friend of McGuiness, who was forced to resign as auditor in 2022 after her criminal conviction for misdemeanour conflict of interest, a charge which Schwartkopf described as "bogus" in his endorsement.

Electoral history

• In 2002, Schwartzkopf won the general election with 4,530 votes (53.1%) against Republican nominee Michael A. Meoli and Libertarian nominee Everett M. Wodiska.^[5]
• In 2004, Schwartzkopf won the general election with 8,396 votes (67.8%) against Republican nominee Mary Spicer and Libertarian nominee Everett M. Wodiska.^[6]
• In 2006, Schwartzkopf won the general election with 6,610 votes (69.2%) against Republican nominee Kirk A. Pope Jr. and Independent nominee Maurice J. Barros.^[7]
• In 2008, Schwartzkopf was unopposed in the general election, winning 10,616 votes.^[8]
• In 2010, Schwartzkopf won the general election with 6,425 votes (53.7%) against Republican nominee Christopher J. Weeks.^[9]
• In 2012, Schwartzkopf won the general election with 8,250 votes (89.9%) against Libertarian nominee Margaret V. Melson.^[10]
• In 2014, Schwartzkopf was unopposed in the general election, winning 5,911 votes.^[11]
• In 2016, Schwartzkopf won the Democratic primary with 1,868 votes (73.9%) against Don R. Peterson.^[12] He went on to win the general election with 9,297 votes (63.6%) against Republican nominee James Louis DeMartino.^[13]
• In 2018, Schwartzkopf won the general election with 8,530 votes (62.5%) in a rematch against Republican nominee James Louis DeMartino.^[14]

See also

• John C. Atkins
• John Kowalko

External links

• Vote Smart bio

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Notes and References

1. Web site: Representative Peter C. Schwartzkopf. Delaware General Assembly.
2. News: Barrish . Cris . Delaware House speaker won't join effort to oust auditor, calls it 'political theater' . . July 25, 2022.
3. News: Shull . Bill . Steele . Melissa . Schwartzkopf announces retirement from office . . July 25, 2023.
4. News: Barrish . Cris . A Delaware auditor was convicted of corruption. Now she's running for state House . . May 9, 2024.
5. Web site: 2002 General Election - Department of Elections - State of Delaware . Delaware Department of Elections . Office of the State Election Commissioner . July 14, 2024 . November 8, 2002.
6. Web site: State of Delaware General Election Official Results . November 2, 2004 . Delaware Department of Elections . Office of the State Election Commissioner . January 9, 2019.
7. Web site: State of Delaware General Election Official Results . November 7, 2006 . Delaware Department of Elections . Office of the State Election Commissioner . January 9, 2019.
8. Web site: State of Delaware General Election Official Results . November 4, 2008 . Delaware Department of Elections . Office of the State Election Commissioner . January 9, 2019.
9. Web site: State of Delaware General Election Official Results . November 2, 2010 . Delaware Department of Elections . Office of the State Election Commissioner . January 9, 2019.
10. Web site: State of Delaware General Election Official Results . November 6, 2012 . Delaware Department of Elections . Office of the State Election Commissioner . January 9, 2019.
11. Web site: State of Delaware General Election Official Results . November 7, 2014 . Delaware Department of Elections . Office of the State Election Commissioner . January 9, 2019.
12. Web site: State of Delaware Primary Election Official Results . September 13, 2016 . Delaware Department of Elections . Office of the State Election Commissioner . January 9, 2019.
13. Web site: State of Delaware General Election Official Results . November 8, 2016 . Delaware Department of Elections . Office of the State Election Commissioner . January 9, 2019.
14. Web site: State of Delaware General Election Official Results . November 6, 2018 . Delaware Department of Elections . Office of the State Election Commissioner . January 9, 2019.