Sherman W.

Tribbitt
Sherman Willard Tribbitt (November 9, 1922 – August 14, 2010) was an
American merchant and politician from Odessa in New Castle County, Sherman W. Tribbitt
Delaware.[1] He was a World War II veteran and a member of the Democratic 67th Governor of Delaware
Party who served in the Delaware General Assembly, as the 17th lieutenant In office
governor of Delaware and as the 67th governor of Delaware. January 16, 1973 – January 18,
1977
Lieutenant Eugene
Contents Bookhammer
Early life and family Preceded by Russell W.
Professional and political career Peterson

Governor of Delaware Succeeded by Pete du Pont

17th Lieutenant Governor of
Later career Delaware
Death In office
Almanac January 19, 1965 – January 21,
See also 1969

References Governor Charles L. Terry,

Jr.
Images
Preceded by Eugene Lammot
External links
Succeeded by Eugene
Places with more information
Bookhammer
Member of the Delaware House of
Representatives
Early life and family
In office
Tribbitt was born in Denton, Maryland, the son of Sherman L. and Minnie January 8, 1957 - January 12, 1965
Thawley Tribbitt. He married Jeanne Webb in 1943. They had three children, January 12, 1971 - January 9, 1973
James, Carol, and Sherman "Tip", and were members of the Presbyterian Personal details
Church. He studied accounting at Beacom College in Wilmington, Delaware Born Sherman Willard
and briefly worked at the Security Trust Company in Wilmington. During
Tribbitt
World War II he served in the United States Navy. In early 1945 he was aboard
the destroyer USS Frost in the North Atlantic when his unit received a November 9, 1922
Presidential Citation for sinking five U-boats. Denton, Maryland,
U.S.

Professional and political career Died August 14, 2010

(aged 87)
Following World War II, he and his father-in-law operated the Odessa Supply Milford, Delaware,
Company in Odessa, Delaware, where they lived. U.S.
Political party Democratic
In 1956, Tribbitt was elected to the first of four terms in the Delaware House of
Representatives, where he served from 1957 to 1964. He was Speaker from Spouse(s) Jeanne Webb
1959 to 1964. Tribbitt prevailed in a difficult convention contest for the Residence Odessa, Delaware
nomination and was elected lieutenant governor of Delaware in 1964, defeating
Alma mater Beacom College
William T. Best, a State Representative from Rehoboth Beach. He served from
January 19, 1965 to January 21, 1969. Surprised to find Governor Charles L. Occupation Merchant
Terry Jr. wanted to serve two terms, Tribbitt had no choice but to run for a
second term himself. Like Terry, he was narrowly defeated in the 1968 Republican landslide by Eugene Bookhammer, a
State Senator from Lewes.
Governor of Delaware
Patiently planning a political recovery, Tribbitt was elected again to the Delaware House of Representatives in 1970 and
was immediately elected minority leader for the 1971–72 session. When Governor Russell W. Peterson stumbled over
the state's finances, Tribbitt had another opportunity for the governorship and was elected governor in 1972, defeating
Peterson.

Tribbitt nearly made an appointment to the U.S. Senate. Future president Joe Biden was elected to the Senate in same
year Tribbitt was elected. On December 18, 1972, Biden’s wife and daughter died in car crash which injured Biden’s
sons. Biden contemplating on resigning his Senate seat, but decided to stay in the Senate up until his election as vice
president 36 years later.

Tribbitt inherited the same state financial picture that forced his predecessor from office. In this time of high inflation
there was constant pressure to raise salaries, particularly for teachers. Delaware's income tax rates were already among
the highest in the nation and the solution was not obvious. There was an effort to levy a large tax on the one oil refinery
in the state, but that was derailed when the owner, J. Paul Getty, threatened to close it. The union workers there opposed
the legislation out of fear for their jobs. But the most serious financial crises involved the near-collapse of the Farmers'
Bank of Delaware. It was the state's official bank, where all its funds were kept, and where many private investors had
their life savings. The whole last year of Tribbitt's administration was spent trying to rectify the situation. Eventually the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) agreed to make a large investment in the bank and buy many of its loans,
but the state had to invest many millions as well. In 1981, under the next administration, the bank was sold.

Tribbitt took other steps to raise revenue, including beginning the Delaware Lottery. He also created the Department of
Community Affairs and Economic Development to attract new industry to the state. Tribbitt sought a second term in
1976, but, largely because of the unresolved financial situation, was defeated by U.S. Representative Pete du Pont.

Delaware General Assembly

(sessions while Governor)

President
Year Assembly Senate Majority House Majority Speaker
pro tempore

1973–1974 127th Democratic J. Donald Isaacs Republican John F. Kirk, Jr.

1975–1976 128th Democratic J. Donald Isaacs Democratic Casimir S. Jonkiert

Later career
Tribbitt made another bid for governor in 1984, losing the Democratic primary to former Delaware Supreme Court
justice William T. Quillen. In an unusual campaign tactic, Tribbitt refused to debate his courtroom-trained opponent,
saying that he would lose the debate. After leaving office he worked with the Delaware River Basin Commission and
the Diamond Group consulting firm. He relocated to Dover and finally to Rehoboth Beach.

Death
Sherman Tribbitt died on August 14, 2010, at the age of 87, a week after a severe fall. He had suffered from Alzheimer's
disease. Jack Markell, Governor of Delaware at the time, ordered state flags lowered to half staff in Tribbitt's honor.[2]

Almanac
Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. Members of the Delaware General Assembly take office the
second Tuesday of January. State Representatives have a two-year term. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor take
office the third Tuesday of January and each has a four-year term.
 Public Offices
Office Type Location Began office Ended office notes
State Representative Legislature Dover January 8, 1957 January 13, 1959
State Representative Legislature Dover January 13, 1959 January 10, 1961
State Representative Legislature Dover January 10, 1961 January 8, 1963
State Representative Legislature Dover January 8, 1963 January 12, 1965
Lt. Governor Executive Dover January 19, 1965 January 21, 1969
State Representative Legislature Dover January 12, 1971 January 9, 1973
Governor Executive Dover January 16, 1973 January 18, 1977

Delaware General Assembly service

Dates Assembly Chamber Majority Governor Committees District
1957–1958 119th State House Democratic J. Caleb Boggs New Castle 13th
1959–1960 120th State House Democratic J. Caleb Boggs Speaker New Castle 13th
1961–1962 121st State House Democratic Elbert N. Carvel Speaker New Castle 13th
1963–1964 122nd State House Democratic Elbert N. Carvel Speaker New Castle 13th
1971–1972 126th State House Republican Russell W. Peterson 27th

Election results
Year Office Election Subject Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes %
Sherman
Lt. William T.
1964 General W. Democratic 108,742 55% Republican 89,675 45%
Governor Best
Tribbitt
Sherman
Lt. Eugene D.
1968 General W. Democratic 99,421 49% Republican 101,839 51%
Governor Bookhammer
Tribbitt
Sherman
Russell W.
1972 Governor General W. Democratic 117,274 51% Republican 109,583 48%
Peterson
Tribbitt
Sherman
Pierre S. du
1976 Governor General W. Democratic 97,480 42% Republican 130,531 57%
Pont, IV
Tribbitt
Sherman
William T.
1984 Governor Primary W. Democratic 14,185 41% Democratic 20,473 59%
Quillen
Tribbitt

See also
Delaware lunar sample displays

References
1. "Flags to be lowered for former Gov. Tribbitt" (http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100814/NEWS/1
00814001/Flags-to-be-lowered-for-former-Gov-Tribbitt). The News Journal. August 14, 2010.
2. "Former Delaware Gov. Sherman W. Tribbitt Dies" (https://web.archive.org/web/20100825144820/http://
online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704023404575429631717571608.html). Wall Street
Journal. Associated Press. 14 August 2010. Archived from the original (https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB
10001424052748704023404575429631717571608) on 25 August 2010. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
 Boyer, William W. (2000). Governing Delaware. Newark, Delaware: University of Delaware Press.
ISBN 1-892142-23-6.
Hoffecker, Carol E. (2004). Democracy in Delaware. Wilmington, Delaware: Cedar Tree Books. ISBN 1-
892142-23-6.
Martin, Roger A. (1984). History of Delaware Through its Governors. Wilmington, Delaware: McClafferty
Press.
Martin, Roger A. (1995). Memoirs of the Senate. Newark, Delaware: Roger A. Martin.

Images
Hall of Governors Portrait Gallery (http://www.state.de.us/research/Tour/information/Governors/govs-42.s
html); Portrait courtesy of Historical and Cultural Affairs, Dover.

External links
Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States (https://web.archive.org/web/20070930024
154/http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.29fab9fb4add37305ddcbeeb501010a0/?vgnextoid=b0
88224971c81010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD&vgnextchannel=e449a0ca9e3f1010VgnVCM1000
001a01010aRCRD)
Delaware’s Governors (http://www.russpickett.com/history/delgov5.htm#tribbitt)
The Political Graveyard (http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/trelease-trimarchi.html#RKD0HB9QZ)

Places with more information

Delaware Historical Society; website (http://www.hsd.org/); 505 North Market Street, Wilmington,
Delaware 19801; (302) 655-7161
University of Delaware; Library website (http://www.lib.udel.edu/); 181 South College Avenue, Newark,
Delaware 19717; (302) 831-2965

Party political offices

Democratic nominee for Governor of
Preceded by Succeeded by
Delaware
Charles L. Terry Jr. William J. Gordy
1972, 1976

Political offices
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of Delaware Succeeded by
Eugene Lammot 1965-1969 Eugene Bookhammer
Preceded by Governor of Delaware Succeeded by
Russell W. Peterson 1973-1977 Pierre S. du Pont IV

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This page was last edited on 27 March 2021, at 19:46 (UTC).

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