Republican John Whalen running for Congress in Delaware

MILLSBORO, Del. – Former State Trooper and retired businessman John Whalen is running in the Republican primary for Congress in Delaware, a seat currently held by Congresswoman Lisa Blunt-Rochester.

Whalen, a Millsboro resident and Wilmington native, was appointed to the Delaware Department of Public Safety, Division of State Police, where he served for 20 years, retiring in October 1997.

Shortly after retiring, Whalen formed a residential construction company, building houses and additions throughout Sussex County for more than 22 years before he retired.

Now, Whalen is running to serve as Delaware’s next U.S. Representative. He tells us his decision to run was due in part to the state of the country, focusing on two key issues that are at the height of debate on Capitol Hill: illegal immigration and the economy.

“What immigration has done to our economy,” Whalen stressed. “I don’t think people realize the amount of money the government is spending, our money.”

Whalen says when they come here, many illegal immigrants get hand outs, putting the country further in debt on the backs of hard-working Americans.

“In most cases, they’re receiving $1,500 a month, they’re given free lodging, free education, free medical,” Whalen emphasized. “It’s costing us billions of dollars, billions.”

The one group affected the most by this, Whalen says is our veterans.

“The veterans that are out there sleeping on the streets,” Whalen stressed. “They’re pretty much pushed aside when it comes to being offered free-housing, for example, that the illegals, that we’re paying for.”

Also a prime focus of Whalen’s campaign is the economy. He feels government spending is out of control and that inflation is the result of that.

“Stop flooding the economy with government dollars, number one,” Whalen said. “The more money that you pump into the economy, that the government pumps into the economy, worsens inflation.”

Whalen vows that he would only serve two terms in Congress if elected, and that he would be a champion for term limits on Capitol Hill.

“I plan on only serving two terms should I be elected,” Whalen emphasized. “I think term limits are very important, and I think if we stuck to term limits, for Congressmen and Senators, I think we’d be more productive.”

Whalen is running in the Republican Congressional Primary against Donyale Hall, who we also sat down with last year after she announced.

On the other side, State Senator Sarah McBride is seeking the Democratic nomination for the seat. State Treasurer Colleen Davis was also running but left the race earlier this year for health reasons. Two other Democrats have filed since then and are now running against McBride, Elias Weir and Earl Cooper.

Congresswoman Blunt Rochester is running for the seat soon to be vacated by Delaware’s Senior U.S. Senator Tom Carper who’s retiring.

Delaware’s primary election will take place Tuesday, September 10, 2024.