State representative candidate drops campaign amid documentation issues, DOJ investigation

A state representative candidate has discontinued his campaign five days before Delaware's primary election amid documentation issues.

The Delaware Department of Justice has also confirmed it began an investigation into the candidate following concerns about the validity of Branden Fletcher-Dominquez's residency in District 3, according to a spokesperson with the DOJ.

“After receiving a request for assistance with a complaint regarding Branden Fletcher's residency from the Department of Elections, the Department of Justice provided investigative support to help determine validity of the complaint," Caroline Harrison said.

Fletcher-Dominguez, who was previously running for New Castle County's District 3 state representative seat, took to his Facebook page on Thursday, Sept. 5 to announce that he was dropping out of the race.

According to the Facebook post, Delaware's Department of Elections reached out to Fletcher-Dominguez's campaign requesting "documentation," which he was unable to provide in time.

"I deeply apologize to all my supporters, volunteers and donors who have been working tirelessly for the last year to help me get elected to be the 3rd District State Representative," Fletcher-Dominguez wrote in a post. "I want to thank you all for the support that you have provided me since we launched this campaign last summer."

The Fletcher-Dominguez campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Why you will still see Fletcher-Dominguez's name on the ballot

The only other Democratic candidate running for the District 3 seat is Josue O. Ortega. Since there is no other member of the same party running, District 3 will not be included in Delaware's primary election on Sept. 10.

According to Cathleen Carter, community relations officer for the Delaware Department of Elections, these recent changes will not be accurately reflected on primary ballots and any votes for either candidate in this district will not be counted.

"Because of the timing of Mr. Fletcher Dominguez’s withdrawal, the Department is unable to remove the candidate’s name from the primary election ballot and to prepare, format, thoroughly test, and send absentee voters a revised ballot," Carter said. "Although the office appears on the primary election ballot, any votes cast for either candidate will not be tallied, canvassed, or reported by the Department."

The Department of Elections stated it has no further comment at this time regarding what led to the suspension of Fletcher-Dominguez's campaign.

Who is Branden Fletcher-Dominguez and what was he running for?

Fletcher-Dominguez is a community organizer and housing advocate who previously worked as secretary of the 5th District Neighborhood Planning Council, 5th Ward Democratic associate member and a community engagement coordinator with Wilmington nonprofit West Side Grows Together.

Election Guide: Your election guide for county and Delaware House races in New Castle County

The district he was running for, District 3, covers the west side of Wilmington between the Quaker Hill neighborhood on the east and the Charter School of Wilmington on the west. To see if this district applies to you, check the District 3 area map on the Delaware Department of Elections website.

Molly McVety covers community and environmental issues around Delaware. Contact her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @mollymcvety.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Branden Fletcher-Dominguez suspends campaign for state representative