Delaware governor to challenge Roth
September 21, 1999
Web posted at: 11:14 a.m. EDT (1514 GMT)
WILMINGTON, Delaware (CNN) -- Delaware's Democratic Gov. Tom Carper will challenge Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. William Roth next year, Carper aides tell CNN.
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Gov. Tom Carper
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He is expected to announce the formation of an exploratory committee at a news conference Tuesday in Wilmington. A formal announcement of candidacy will come later.
Carper's decision could make the Delaware race one of the most closely watched Senate contests in the country. It also ends widespread speculation over the political future of the term-limited governor.
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Sen. William Roth
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A Carper-Roth race will seriously test the loyalties of many Delaware residents. Carper has been serving the state in various capacities for more than 20 years. He was elected state treasurer in 1976 and served in the U.S. House from 1982 to 1992. He went on to win his two governor's races by large margins.
Roth, 78, is running for his sixth Senate term. Earlier this year, there was widespread speculation that he would retire at the end of this term, but in June he announced his intention to run again.
Roth's office had no comment on Carper's decision.
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