From Chairman Truono's Desk: Delaware's Slippery Slope: How Governor Matt Meyer's Neglect is Shipping Our Jobs and Bananas to Pennsylvania

February 23, 2026

Gene Truono, Delaware Republican Party

Dear Fellow Delaware Republicans,

As Chairman of the Delaware Republican Party, I've spent years fighting for the hardworking families of our state—the longshoremen, truck drivers, and small business owners who keep our economy moving.

Today, I'm sounding the alarm on a crisis that's unfolding right under our noses at the Port of Wilmington. Under Governor Matt Meyer's watch, years of neglect and failed leadership have allowed our state's crown jewel—the nation's top banana port—to slip into disrepair. The result? Ships loaded with bananas and other vital cargo are being diverted to Chester, Pennsylvania, costing Delaware jobs, revenue, and our competitive edge.

For decades, the Port of Wilmington has been a powerhouse, handling over a million tons of bananas annually from giants like Chiquita and Dole. It's not just fruit; it's the lifeblood of our economy, supporting thousands of jobs and generating hundreds of millions in revenue. But now, due to the state's failure to maintain proper dredging, vessels can't access the port at the depths they need. This isn't some abstract infrastructure debate—it's a real-world disaster. Just last month, Chiquita diverted four ships carrying bananas in containers and other commodities from South and Central America straight to Chester. That's right: our bananas are landing in Pennsylvania, unloaded by non-union workers, while Delaware's longshoremen sit idle.

Picture this: On Presidents' Day, a day when our port workers have labored for 30 years straight, the parking lots at Wilmington were empty. No hustle, no bustle—just silence. Eleven miles upriver in Chester, a Chiquita ship was being offloaded, robbing 150 to 200 members of the International Longshoremen's Association of their shifts.

These are family-sustaining jobs vanishing overnight because Governor Meyer and his administration have dragged their feet on essential maintenance dredging. The port's channels are silting up, and without urgent action, more diversions are inevitable. We've already seen layoffs begin, with hundreds more on the horizon.

This isn't an accident; it's a failure of priorities. Governor Meyer, a Democrat who promised to deliver for working families, has instead presided over a port in decline. While he's busy touting initiatives like medical debt relief, he's ignoring the infrastructure that puts food on tables right here in Delaware. The Delaware River's main channel was deepened years ago, but ongoing maintenance has been deprioritized, leaving our port unable to handle the full loads that once made it North America's banana capital. Now, those loads are boosting Pennsylvania's economy at our expense. How many more ships will we lose before the governor wakes up?

The economic ripple effects are staggering. The Port of Wilmington drives $417 million in annual business revenue and $391 million in personal income for our region. Every diverted ship means lost wages for dockworkers, reduced hauls for truckers, and diminished sales for local businesses. And let's not forget the broader impact: higher costs for consumers as supply chains stretch further, and a blow to Delaware's reputation as a logistics leader. Pennsylvania's ports are laughing all the way to the bank, while we slip on the peels of Meyer's inaction.

Delaware Republicans have long advocated for smart investments in infrastructure to protect jobs and grow our economy. We've called for securing funds to dredge and expand the port, including utilizing strategic assets like the Wilmington Harbor South site for future growth. But under Democratic control, these calls have fallen on deaf ears. Governor Meyer's ties to big tech and logistics interests raise questions about where his loyalties lie—especially when whispers of Amazon eyeing our port circulate amid this chaos.

It's time for accountability. Governor Meyer must prioritize emergency dredging funds in the next budget cycle and work with federal partners to get shovels in the ground—or rather, dredges in the water. Delawareans deserve leadership that fights for our ports, not one that lets opportunities sail away to our neighbors.

As we look toward the future, let's remember: Delaware's strength lies in its people and its ports. We can't afford another term of neglect. Join me and the Delaware Republican Party in demanding better. Our jobs, our economy, and yes, even our bananas, depend on it.

Get involved today. Volunteer, donate, spread the word — let's make 2026 the year Delaware fights back.

For Delaware,

Gene Truono,

Chairman of the Delaware Republican Party

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