State Treasurer of Delaware · November 3, 2026
Who should I vote for in the Delaware state treasurer race?
Mike Ramone has the strongest record in the Delaware state treasurer race. Mike Ramone scores 64 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Ted Lauzen at 56, as of October 6, 2026. Mike Ramone's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Ted Lauzen's highest marks are command of the job and communication. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Democratic
Ted Lauzen
56 / 100
Public evidence on 8 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 60
- Performance
- NR
Republican
Strongest record
Mike Ramone
On the ballot as Michael Ramone
64 / 100
Public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 75
- Performance
- 50
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Ted Lauzen
- On the record2026-08-05
Debated the other Democratic treasurer candidates at an Aug. 5, 2026 League of Women Voters and Delta Sigma Theta online event.
Source: Cape Gazette, Aug. 7, 2026
- Credit2016
Competed for Team USA at the 2016 Olympics after serving as a Marine Corps helicopter pilot in Afghanistan.
Mike Ramone
- On the record2023 to 2024
Served as Delaware House minority leader in 2023 to 2024, after first winning the 21st District seat in 2008.
Source: Delaware LIVE, April 23, 2026
- Credit2017 to 2018
The Center for Effective Lawmaking rated his 2017 to 2018 House session Above expectations, with five bills enacted.
Source: Center for Effective Lawmaking, State Legislative Effectiveness Scores data file
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Ted Lauzen. Not on the Delaware Department of Elections list of candidates assessed campaign finance penalties. No official finding found.
Source: Delaware Department of Elections, campaign finance penalty list
Mike Ramone. Not on the Delaware Department of Elections list of candidates assessed campaign finance penalties. No official ethics finding found.
Source: Delaware Department of Elections, campaign finance penalty list
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Ted Lauzen. No public record found.
Mike Ramone. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Ted Lauzen. Took part in the Aug. 5, 2026 League of Women Voters and Delta Sigma Theta treasurer debate during the primary. No general election forum with Ramone was found.
Source: Cape Gazette, Aug. 7, 2026
Mike Ramone. No public record found.
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Ted Lauzen. No public record found.
Mike Ramone. Sixteen years in the Delaware House, including House minority leader in 2023 to 2024, with no formal censure, reprimand or conduct finding found.
Source: Ballotpedia, Michael Ramone
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Ted Lauzen. Served as a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot in Afghanistan. No official finding of misconduct found.
Mike Ramone. Took the oath as a state representative from 2008 to 2024. No official finding of misuse of office and no recorded action to reject certified results found.
Source: Ballotpedia, Michael Ramone
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Ted Lauzen. Co-founded the investment firm Grey Fox Wealth Advisors in 2020 after Marine Corps service; holds Wharton MBA and Penn law degrees and is board treasurer of the Delaware YMCA. Has not held public office.
Sources: WHYY, 2026 treasurer primary guide, Ballotpedia, Ted Lauzen
Mike Ramone. State representative for the 21st District from 2008 to 2024 (eight terms), House minority leader 2023 to 2024, and a business owner for more than four decades.
Sources: Delaware LIVE, April 23, 2026, Ballotpedia, Michael Ramone
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Ted Lauzen. Specific plans within the treasurer's powers: protect the AAA rating, update the state debt policy he says dates to the 1970s, increase investment transparency and expand ABLE account outreach.
Sources: WHYY, 2026 treasurer primary guide, Cape Gazette, Aug. 7, 2026
Mike Ramone. Former House minority leader (E5) with specific treasurer-office plans: a review of the past eight years of state investments, DEFAC independence, the $8 billion portfolio and program oversight of EARNS, DE 529 and ABLE.
Sources: Delaware LIVE, April 23, 2026, Campaign issues page
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Ted Lauzen. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey, took part in the August 2026 debate, gave WHYY an interview and publishes a platform page.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Ted Lauzen, Cape Gazette, Aug. 7, 2026
Mike Ramone. Publishes a detailed issues page and gave interviews at his campaign launch. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey; no 2026 forum appearance found.
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Ted Lauzen. Illinois native who lives in Wilmington with his family. Years of Delaware residence not confirmed.
Mike Ramone. Represented the Pike Creek and Hockessin area for 16 years; the ballot list gives a Newark residential address.
Sources: Delaware LIVE, April 23, 2026, Delaware Department of Elections, candidate list
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Ted Lauzen. Co-founded and runs an investment management firm; size of the firm not confirmed independently. Not on the state campaign finance penalty list.
Sources: Cape Gazette, Aug. 7, 2026, Delaware Department of Elections, campaign finance penalty list
Mike Ramone. Has owned businesses including Aquatic Management Systems and BC Communities; firm size not confirmed. Not on the state campaign finance penalty list.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Michael Ramone, Delaware Department of Elections, campaign finance penalty list
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Ted Lauzen. No public record found.
Mike Ramone. Center for Effective Lawmaking state data show 10 enacted bills over eight House sessions, rated Above expectations once (2017 to 2018), Meets twice and Below five times.
Source: Center for Effective Lawmaking, State Legislative Effectiveness Scores data file
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Ted Lauzen. No public record found.
Mike Ramone. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Ted Lauzen. No public record found.
Mike Ramone. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Ted Lauzen. No public record found.
Mike Ramone. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Ted Lauzen. No public record found.
Mike Ramone. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 6, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in the Delaware state treasurer race?
Mike Ramone has the strongest record in the Delaware state treasurer race. Mike Ramone scores 64 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Ted Lauzen at 56, as of October 6, 2026. Mike Ramone's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Ted Lauzen's highest marks are command of the job and communication. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in the Delaware state treasurer race in 2026?
Ted Lauzen (Democratic), Michael Ramone (Republican). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Ted Lauzen a good candidate for State Treasurer?
Ted Lauzen scores 56 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 8 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 60 of 100, performance no record. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Mike Ramone a good candidate for State Treasurer?
Mike Ramone scores 64 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 75 of 100, performance 50 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Delaware race scored, and the Delaware 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.