President Joe Biden and Jill Biden made an unannounced trip back to Wilmington, Delaware Tuesday night to vote in the state’s Democratic primary – where the only contested race involves a convicted criminal.
The Bidens showed up holding hands to the The Tatnall School to cast their ballots.
The president didn’t reveal who he voted for, but answered reporters’ questions about the war in Ukraine, the stock market and inflation, while ignoring a query on the brewing rail strike.
‘The question is unanswerable. It’s hard to tell. It’s clear the Ukrainians have made significant progress. But it’s going to be a long haul,’ he said when asked if recent Ukrainian gains against the Russians marked the war’s turning point.
The White House didn’t announce the Bidens were making the trek until after the motorcade pulled out of the South Lawn’s driveway – as the area where Marine One takes off was still set-up for the earlier event celebrating the Inflation Reduction Act.
The White House didn’t give a reason for the trip, but the president revealed it on Joint Base Andrews’ tarmac: ‘to vote!’ he told reporters.
In dramatic fashion, Delaware’s state auditor’s race involves a convicted criminal, who has a large picture of Biden on her webpage pitching re-election.
President Joe Biden (right) holds the hand of first lady Jill Biden (left) as they showed up at the Tatnall School in Wilmington, Delaware to cast ballots in the state’s primary
The president and first lady are captured walking into their polling place at Tatnall School in Wilmington, Delaware Tuesday night
President Joe Biden spoke with reporters after casting his ballot in Delaware’s Democratic primary. He answered questions on Ukraine, the stock market and inflation, while avoiding speaking about the brewing rail strike
First lady Jill Biden is seen walking out of her Delaware polling place Tuesday night after casting a ballot in the state’s primary
‘To vote!’ President Joe Biden let the cat out of the bag as to why he and first lady Jill Biden were making an unannounced trip back to Wilmington, Delaware Tuesday night
President Joe Biden (left) and first lady Jill Biden (right) are seen walking across the tarmac at Joint Base Andrew Tuesday evening to board Air Force One for the quick trip to Wilmington, Delaware
President Joe Biden salutes from the top of the stairs before boarding Air Force One Tuesday evening, as he and first lady Jill Biden make a quick trip to Delaware to vote in the state’s Democratic primary – in which there’s a convicted criminal on the ballot
The incumbent, Kathleen McGuiness, is being challenged by Lydia York, after a jury found McGuiness guilty of three misdemeanor charges in July – conflict of interest, official misconduct and noncompliance with state procurement law.
Even more, the state’s Democratic Gov. John Carney is poised to remove McGuiness from office after she’s sentenced – yet if she wins Tuesday’s primary and the general election, she could take back her job.
The jury found McGuiness not guilty on felony charges of theft and intimidation.
It marked the first time in Delaware history a seated elected official was convicted, according to Delaware’s Cape Gazette.
The charges stem from McGuiness hiring her daughter – at a time when employees had left the government over cut hours – and depositing her paychecks into a joint bank account.
State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness (left), who was convicted of there misdemeanors in July, uses a picture with President Joe Biden (right) eating ice cream on her official campaign website
McGuiness is being challenged by lawyer Lydia York (pictured), who if elected would become the third black person to be elected statewide in Delaware following Treasurer Chip Flowers and Democratic Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester
McGuiness broke state procurement laws by giving a group, called My Campaign Group, a no-bid contract when she shouldn’t have, with prosecutors pushing that receipts were structured in such a way to avoid punishment.
The felony theft charge was based on McGuiness shared back account with her daughter, which was found to be a starter bank account that parents often open for their kids.
Felony intimidation charges were based on allegations that McGuiness harassed employees who questioned the hiring of her daughter and her daughter’s friend.
On the main page of her campaign website, McGuiness has a picture of her posing with Biden, while he eats an ice cream cone.
York, McGuiness’ rival on the Democratic ballot, has played a large role in Delaware Democratic politics in recent years and would become the third black person to hold a statewide elected post.
York would follow Treasurer Chip Flowers and incumbent Democratic Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester.
The Bidens’ stayed on the ground in Delaware for just over an hour before boarding Air Force One to return to D.C.