Emily Thompson seeks Delaware Senate seat after Lawson endorsement

Emily Thompson is running for Delaware’s 15th Senate District seat after Republican Sen. Dave Lawson announced his retirement. Lawson served the district for more than ten years before stepping down this cycle. He publicly endorsed Thompson, stating that she has the experience and values to continue the work.

Thompson is a Delaware native who earned her undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees from Wilmington University. She has worked in public service for nearly ten years. Her career began at the Division of Corporations before she moved to the Justice of the Peace Court and child welfare. She currently oversees the state’s evidence-based home-visiting program.

She emphasizes her connection to both state government and rural life. Thompson is the daughter of a farmer and a member of the Delaware Farm Bureau and State Grange. She described this as a dual perspective that informs her decision-making. She said her family is full of small businesses, which shapes her view on legislation.

Thompson identified supporting agriculture and small businesses as her main objectives. She also plans to focus on education, early intervention, and responsible government spending. She wants to build on a decade of progress as the district’s population grows.

A central part of her campaign is Senate Bill 35. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Kyra Hoffner, looked at how structures on agricultural land are taxed. Thompson criticized current assessment methods. She noted that a 10,000-square-foot chicken house is often taxed like a home of the same size. She said some assessments incorrectly listed basements in chicken houses, which raised costs for owners.

She also opposed House Bill 400, which raises annual fees for limited liability companies and other businesses. Thompson argued that higher filing fees and entity taxes hurt the bottom line of small businesses. She believes lawmakers often guess what people need instead of asking directly.

Thompson plans to engage with farmers and business owners to understand their specific needs. She wants to ensure that struggling families know about available resources for support. When asked about being a Republican in a blue state, she said the focus should be on working together. She encouraged university students to dream big and continue making the world a better place.