Stickers, parties and parade all part of Return Day

Sure, Return Day is about bipartisanship and political opponents burying the hatchet.

But the real story is on the stickers.

Circulating around Georgetown on Thursday were a few, some with a kernel of political truth, others not so much. One referenced outgoing state treasurer Chip Flowers. The sticker said "Flowers, Governor '18, Standing Up for Massachusetts." In August, Flowers said he would not be running for reelection and would be leaving Delaware to live in Massachusetts.

Another hinted at a Beau Biden gubernatorial ticket with Delaware House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf, a Rehoboth Democrat, serving as lieutenant governor.

"You never say never in this world," Schwartzkopf said about a potential statewide campaign for lieutenant governor in 2016. "Right now, I'm concentrating on getting re-elected speaker."

The stickers, parties and parade were part of Return Day, Delaware's traditional election year celebration that signals the end of the campaign. The event dates to 1792 and includes a reading of election results from Sussex County.

"This is the first time I've ever seen something like this," said Sandra Figols, a Seaford teacher and native of Spain. "It's very American."

Thursday afternoon, carriages rolled down the street along the Circle. Inside were political opponents ending a long campaign season.

Several candidates, including Republican Senate candidate Kevin Wade, who won in Sussex, did not show up for the ceremony. Rose Izzo, who ran against Congressman John Carney, D-Del, also did not make an appearance.

Outgoing Attorney General Beau Biden, eying a gubernatorial run in 2016, participated in the parade and stopped by a Democratic party held nearby. Several in the crowd were wearing stickers with Beau's name on them.

One of the many Return Day traditions is also the speculation of candidates to come.

Treasurer-elect Ken Simpler ruled out a run for governor on the Republican ticket on Thursday. Not even a day after his election as treasurer, some were speculating he'd be the ideal GOP candidate in 2016.

"The idea of campaigning again right now for governor of Delaware is about the least appealing thing I can think about doing," he said. "Unless I am physically incapacitated, I will finish four years in the Treasurer's office."

Thursday was Simpler's first appearance at Return Day.

"It doesn't feel corny, it doesn't feel forced," Simpler said. "It feels very natural to me, shifting out of campaign mode and into governing mode."

The talk of a morning reception at Delaware Technical and Community College was the low turnout in Tuesday's general election that saw Republican wins across the nation and Delaware.

Only 36 percent of registered Delaware voters cast ballots on Tuesday, and places like the city of Wilmington saw its lowest turnout in years.

"It's sad," said Sean Barney, who lost the state Treasurer's race to Simpler on Tuesday. "I think people are unfortunately frustrated with government, frustrated with politics. They see gridlock and they see fighting."

U.S. Senator Tom Carper, D-Del, who was re-elected in 2012, said this year's turnout in a non-presidential election was the lowest in at least 80 years.

"Voters, largely, were unhappy with the way things were going in Washington," Carper said.

Everyone from Gov. Jack Markell to Simpler attended Thursday morning's reception, a tradition on one of the most traditional days in Delaware politics.

Markell, who was reelected in 2012, said it was nice to enjoy a Return Day that didn't signal the end to a long campaign season for him.

"I'm glad governors are four-year terms, rather than two-year terms," Markell said.

Markell answered questions about the low turnout on Tuesday, saying he believes voters were fatigued and discouraged.

"It was a pretty incredible election [nationwide]," Markell said. "People like their elected officials to be speaking to their aspirations, to be straight with them about the challenges that the country faces and what we're going to do about it and I think around the country, I'm not saying this is true in Delaware, but I think around the country a lot of people didn't feel that way."

The turnout was also disappointing to Coons, who was easily elected on Tuesday to his first full six-year term in the Senate.

"It is disappointing when a right that is so fundamental to our democracy is exercised by only roughly a third of our people," Coons said.

Coons will now face a Senate controlled by Republicans. He said he is hopeful that lawmakers will work across the aisle, and campaigned this year on bipartisan compromise.

Coons said Washington needs a Return Day of its own, saying he has "taken the opportunity to brag a bit about Return Day and Delaware's tradition of bringing together those who were opponents in the election, but who should be able to work together going forward."

Contact Jon Offredo at 678-4271, on Twitter @jonoffredo or at joffredo@delawareonline.com. Contact Jonathan Starkey at 983-6756, on Twitter @jwstarkey or at jstarkey@delawareonline.com.