* 1935 – Ruth Ann Minner, American politician, businesswoman and 72nd Governor of Delaware

* January 17 – Ruth Ann Minner, Governor of Delaware

Kaufman, appointed by Governor Ruth Ann Minner to fill the vacancy created by Joe Biden ( who resigned to become Vice President of the United States ), was not a candidate in the special election.

Ruth Ann Minner began her political career as a clerk in the Delaware House of Representatives and as a receptionist in the office of Governor Sherman W. Tribbitt.

Minner was elected Governor of Delaware in 2000.

As the incumbent Lieutenant Governor Minner took office upon the resignation of Governor Thomas R. Carper on January 3, 2001.

Carney sought the Democratic nomination for the office of Governor in 2008, as incumbent Governor Ruth Ann Minner was constitutionally barred from seeking a third term.

In 2001, Governor Ruth Ann Minner chose Markell to chair the Information Services Task Force, which developed and implemented recommendations to modify the state's management of information technology.

Spence endorsed Burris, the eventual Republican nominee, who went on to lose the general election to then Lieutenant Governor Ruth Ann Minner.