RIP Mike Castle

[jarnon]

Delaware governor and congressman (Delaware has two senators and just one congressman)

There’s one word that comes to mind when I think of Mike Castle: dignity. Riding the train back and forth together to Washington for nearly two decades, I got to know Mike as a thoughtful and kind man — a colleague who became a true friend.

Mike was defined by his integrity, and for that reason, you couldn’t find another member of Congress who would say a bad word about him. He was respected in Washington, and beloved by his constituents. Mike had a backbone made of steel, and when faced with that existential question politicians sometimes face — what are you willing to lose an election over? — Mike stood on principle. He took votes because he knew they were right, not because they were popular.

Mike will go down in the history of our state and country as an honorable and effective public servant. A man of his word who time and again put country over self. Someone we could all be proud to have as our Governor and Representative. All of us in Delaware owe Mike a debt of gratitude.

Jill and I and the entire Biden family are deeply saddened by Mike’s passing. Our hearts go out to Jane, the Castle family, and the dozens of women and men who worked alongside Mike to serve the people of our state.