Bucher concedes 33rd District GOP primary, urges party unity behind Hudson

Matt Bucher has conceded the Republican primary for Delaware’s 33rd Representative District to Morgan Hudson, calling on his supporters and fellow Republicans to unite behind the apparent nominee despite an automatic recount.

Seven-vote margin will trigger an automatic recount, but Matt Bucher says he does not expect the outcome to change

MILFORD, Del. — Matt Bucher has conceded the Republican primary for Delaware’s 33rd Representative District to Morgan Hudson, calling on his supporters and fellow Republicans to unite behind the apparent nominee despite an automatic recount.

Unofficial results show Hudson receiving 1,017 votes, or 50.2%, compared with 1,010 votes, or 49.8%, for Bucher — a difference of seven votes. WBOC reported that all precincts had reported.

Bucher said he contacted Hudson to congratulate her on the victory and thanked those who supported his campaign.

“To everyone who volunteered, donated and voted for me: Thank you,” Bucher said. “I’m grateful beyond words.”

The seven-vote difference represents approximately 0.35% of the votes cast, placing the contest within Delaware’s threshold for an automatic recount. Bucher emphasized that neither he nor his campaign requested the recount.

“The recount will happen, statutorily, whether I desire it or not,” he said.

For legislative and county-level races, Delaware requires an automatic recount when the margin falls within the applicable statutory threshold. The Associated Press reported before the primary that races decided by less than one-half of 1% may qualify.

Bucher, a former three-term chairman of the 33rd Representative District Republican Committee, said he contacted the Delaware Department of Elections and was told that all outstanding absentee and voting-machine ballots had been accounted for.

He said the likelihood that the recount would reverse the result was “a statistical zero.”

Bucher also discouraged supporters from challenging the integrity of the outcome or prolonging the contest through complaints or legal action.

“It is not in the interest of the Republicans and conservatives in the 33rd District, nor Delaware, to belabor, complain, stomp one’s feet, lawyer up or otherwise cast doubt on this, the verdict of our local GOP primary voters,” Bucher said.

Instead, Bucher called for Republicans throughout Milford, Houston, Frederica, Bowers and Magnolia to support Hudson and the wider Republican ticket.

“I call on you all to unite, and pray for the success, and to grant wisdom and strength of will, to my former opponent and 33rd District GOP nominee Morgan Hudson — and indeed all our Republican caucus,” he said.

Hudson and Bucher were seeking the Republican nomination for the seat held by Republican Rep. Charles Postles, who is not seeking another term. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3.

To Go Box

Race: Republican primary for Delaware’s 33rd Representative District
Unofficial result: Morgan Hudson, 1,017 votes; Matt Bucher, 1,010 votes
Margin: Seven votes, approximately 0.35%
What happens next: An automatic recount will be conducted under Delaware law before the result becomes official.
General election: Nov. 3, 2026
More information: Visit the Delaware Department of Elections.