Pierre S. “Pete” du Pont IV, political icon

Governors come and governors go, but every now and then, one sets the tone for generations to come. Pete du Pont was that one. When Pete was elected in 1976, Delaware had slipped from a position of economic pre-eminence and was struggling with its finances. Pete met the issues head on by working with both parties in the legislature to reduce unnecessary expenditures and balance budgets. As lieutenant governor during his second term, I saw how he secured passage of the Financial Center Development Act, which immediately increased employment opportunities. He had a plan for what had to be done and the resolve to do it. He believed in uplifting all Delawareans. He understood what Delaware could be, and he led us to realize that vision.