LINCOLN – The state’s Republican candidates for governor and lieutenant governor formally announced today at outdoor ceremonies held at the Glass Doctor, a small business on U.S. 113.

Sher Valenzuela, vice president of First State Manufacturing in Milford, will attempt to unseat Democrat Matt Denn in November’s election.

Jeff Cragg, a Wilmington businessman, will oppose Gov. Jack Markell.

Both stood on a podium in front of a truck with 30,611 in big black numerals on the said, representing the number of unemployed Delawareans.

“These two candidates are not professional politicians. They represent the private business sector,” said emcee Dave Kenton, who described Ms. Valenzuela as “the American dream.”

Mrs. Valenzuela said she will campaign as a businessperson, a parent, a wife and mother and a job creator.

“Those who we trusted failed to deliver,” she said.

“We don’t need to bribe businesses to come here with taxpayers’ dollars. We’ve got red, white and blue jobs right here, waiting to be delivered.”

She also said her platform will address crimes.

“I’m concerned about home invasion, as a woman and as a mom. Formerly there were safe communities up and down the state. We need to do something about that. It’s time to take back the streets,” she said.

Mr. Cragg, in his quest to unseat Gov. Markell, will campaign on creating employment opportunities.

“J-o-b-s. Let’s get down to basics,” he said, referring to the number on the track behind him.

“That doesn’t reflect the under-employed. That’s more than the population of Newark. Scott Fitzgerald here at Glass Doctors is a real business, a stark contract to an empty factory called Fiskers. Real Delaware jobs are small businesses,” he said.

He called Gov. Markell “out of touch.”

“Real government has to get out of the way of business and turn Delaware once again into the first state.”

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