(Editor’s note: This is the second of a two-part report on the Delaware attorney general election. For last week’s interview with Democratic candidate Dwayne Bensing, visit washingtonblade.com. )
Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings spoke to the Washington Blade about why she should be elected to a third term.
Born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware, jennings career Criminal prosecutions span decades. Prior to becoming Delaware Attorney General in 2019, Mr. Jennings served as Attorney General and as a prosecutor. Delaware Department of Justice For many years until he was appointed Delaware State Attorney.
As a prosecutor, Jennings worked hard to secure a conviction. Serial killer who murdered five women in New Castle County. This case is First time DNA analysis has been used as evidence in a Delaware courtroom.
“My focus for many years has been on reducing violent crime, particularly gun violence, in our state. During my tenure, violent crime has decreased dramatically,” Jennings said.
According to criminal justice councilunder Jennings’ leadership in 2024. Delaware’s violent crime rate is at an all-time low.
“Violent crime is down to historic lows in Delaware, especially in our largest city, Wilmington,” Jennings said.
At the end of 2023, homicides in Wilmington were down more than 50%, and shootings in Dover were down 23%. Additionally, the state’s prison population has declined by nearly 25% since 2019; recidivism rate decreased by 60%.
Jennings explained, “This job requires commitment, dedication, and a lot of experience in the criminal justice system, because it’s our job to make sure the criminal justice system is fair and equal for everyone.”
Jennings said her efforts to reduce violent crime are particularly focused on combating gun violence.
“I have followed gun control advocates and made it a priority for my administration to enact gun safety laws in Delaware that are effective at reducing violent crime and protecting people, especially children,” she said.
“Guns are the number one killer of children in our country, and as long as that remains true, my job is not done,” she added.
Jennings said she especially wants to protect children from gun violence and that this fight is still ongoing.
“We have defeated gun control advocates in the legislature and in the courts, and we are making dramatic gains in reducing gun violence, but that requires a lot of ongoing work,” Jennings said.
Fighting the Trump administration remains an integral part of Jennings’ job as attorney general, as she has sued the Trump administration more than ever. 40 times.
“If we had given in to the extortionists’ threats, Delaware could have lost almost $1 billion in federal funds to the Trump administration’s lawsuit, but we didn’t,” Jennings said.
“We sued opioid manufacturers and distributors and, as a result, donated $250 million to this state to fight addiction. We will continue to do all the work Delawareans expect of us,” Jennings said.
“We have been successful and we will continue to be successful,” Jennings said of the legal battle with the Trump administration.
When it comes to supporting the LGBTQ+ community, Jennings has previously Sues HHS for discrimination against transgender Delawareans.
Jennings last summer sent a letter to Nemours Children’s Hospital We are asking you to reconsider your decision to stop providing gender-affirming care services to new transgender youth patients. Her main opponent, Dwayne Bensing, criticized the letter for not going far enough to protect the trans community.
The Blade asked Jennings if she plans to continue to be an LGBTQ+ ally for a third term. In response, she said, “We need to continue to fight to ensure that we have constitutional amendments to further protect children and protect marriage equality in our state, and we will continue to fight to make sure those changes happen.”
“In my opinion, discriminating against transgender children is child abuse, and that’s what we’ve been fighting for in court,” Jennings said.
“Our children deserve an environment where they are treated with compassion and equality,” Jennings said, stressing the importance of protecting LGBTQ+ youth.
“We’re going to need a very strong attorney general who knows what he’s doing to continue this fight,” Jennings said.
The Blade also asked Jennings about her oversight of the reorganization. OpenAI. It was originally incorporated in 2015 as a nonprofit corporation in Delaware. OpenAI Announces goal of transitioning to a for-profit corporation in May 2025.
“It is the attorney general’s duty to ensure that corporations fulfill their charitable purposes,” Jennings said. “OpenAI’s philanthropic purpose is to use it to benefit all of humanity. That’s a big mission.”
Mr. Jennings worked closely with the California Attorney General. rob bonta Oversee OpenAI’s transition from nonprofit to for-profit status.
“We were deeply involved in Open AI’s restructuring process to ensure charities had adequate capital to fulfill their missions to benefit humanity and prioritized safety. These two goals have been achieved.”
The process of rebuilding Approved by Mr. Jennings and Mr. Bonta in October 2025. They appointed three independent directors to oversee OpenAI’s actions. “These three are independent directors and report to us several times a year,” Jennings said.
“We achieved much better results because we were in the boardroom. [OpenAI] I’m doing it. ”
“We have the full ability to track OpenAI if it does not meet our requirements, and we have the ability to regularly monitor it on an ongoing basis,” Jennings said.
“These fights must continue uninterrupted by people who know what they are doing,” Jennings said, reiterating her desire to continue her work as attorney general.
“It has been an honor and privilege to have been voted in by the people of Delaware for the last two terms, and I am asking you to vote me in again. I am fighting hard,” Jennings said.
The primary election for Delaware attorney general will be held on September 15th.
Source: Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News – www.washingtonblade.com
