‘Being small can be our superpower': Matt Meyer becomes Delaware's next governor

The Bethany Hall-Long era in Delaware came to a planned end after just two weeks as Matt Meyer became Delaware’s 76th governor Tuesday.

Meyer, a Democrat who previously served as New Castle County executive, took the oath of office on Jan. 21, 2025, during a swearing-in ceremony at Delaware State University in Dover. His youngest child cooed as Meyer held him in his arms, eventually handing him off to his other children.

“Good morning Delaware,” an exuberant Meyer said to the crowd as a demonstrator could be heard yelling as he stood at the podium at the historically-Black university.

Meyer during his inaugural address laid out his vision for health care, business, community and more.

“Some see our size as a disadvantage, I disagree,” Meyer said. “Being small can be our superpower, we can be nimble, we can move quickly and work closely together, we can take measured risks and experiment.”

The swearing-in — which included Lt. Gov.-elect Kyle Evans Gay taking the oath — took place inside the William B. DeLauder Education and Humanities Theatre with dangerous cold outside. The event was open to the public, but people had to get tickets ahead of time.

Evans Gay echoed some of Meyer’s thoughts about Delaware being small but mighty.

“Yes our state is small, but I believe — more than anywhere else that I have been or experienced — more is possible here,” Evans Gay told the crowd after being sworn in. “Stretching from every corner of our state is a resounding sense of community that prevails above all else.

With Meyer and Evans Gay now in office, the party really begins with an inaugural ball planned at The Queen in Wilmington. R&B legends The Temptations and The Four Tops will headline the inauguration concert, the state said.

Hall-Long was only governor for two weeks after she was elevated from lieutenant governor after former Gov. John Carney left the office early to become Wilmington’s Mayor.