Rep. Mike Smith ‘reconsidering’ seeking reelection in 2028 after saying he wouldn’t

Why Should Delaware Care?
Rep. Mike Smith’s (R-Pike Creek) departure from the General Assembly would be a blow to the future prospects of the state Republican Party, which has struggled for a decade to make advancements in the state. Should he ultimately decide to continue seeking office after this year’s election, his continued electoral presence could make it harder for Democrats to potentially pick up Smith’s seat, which already sees a Democratic voter registration advantage. 

The only incumbent statehouse Republican in New Castle County is reevaluating whether to run for a fifth term in 2028 after previously ruling out the possibility. 

Rep. Mike Smith (R-Pike Creek) was recently named the next president of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and said he would not run for reelection in 2028 should he win this current bid. 

The 41-year-old is up for reelection in House District 22 after easily winning the last two elections. He told Spotlight Delaware he has defied a Democratic voter registration advantage in the district by building a personal brand grounded on constituent conversations, small business and entrepreneurial support, and raising a young family. 

In a Tuesday interview at a polling site at North Star Elementary School, Smith said he is “reconsidering” a 2028 campaign because many people have reached out to him and asked him to run again.

“They’re saying, ‘You’re an actual public servant that helps us,’” he said. 

Smith said he will make a final decision in the new year, if he wins today.

In September, Smith had told Spotlight Delaware that he would not run after 2026 after fielding questions about a potential conflict of interest pertaining to his new role leading the state’s Chamber of Commerce. The organization frequently lobbies lawmakers in favor of business-friendly legislation. 

The state chamber is among the most influential lobbying organizations in the state, representing nearly 1,000 employers of various sizes.

Smith said on Tuesday that he “[does] not intend to lobby” and that he spoke with lawyers in both the Democratic and Republican caucus before accepting the position to make sure it was legal. 

He also said that the state Public Integrity Commission gave him a letter stating that his bid for reelection, while intending to serve as the president of the state Chamber of Commerce, is not violating any ethics rules.

The commission has not publicly posted that letter, Smith said, but he has requested that it write a public letter if he wins his reelection bid that outlines how he should conduct himself in both roles. 

If victorious Tuesday, Smith may not be the only Delaware lawmaker to lead a business advocacy group. 

 Ayanna Khan Flowers, president and CEO of the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce, is running for House District 9 — which encompasses much of eastern New Castle County below the C&D Canal — against Republican Jamar Money. 

Tim Carlin contributed to this report.