For decades, politics in Delaware was akin to a tea party. Civility reigned. Politicians who attempted to get down and dirty were punished for it. The prime example of that was 1996 GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Janet C. Rzewnicki, who was clobbered 70% to 30% after she attempted to question Tom Carper's family finances.
And normally, politicians are not seriously challenged for reelection until they decide to step down themselves. Indeed, criticism of politicians as result of their decisions in office is rare.