Michael D. Protack

Michael D. Protack (born October 23, 1957) is an American commercial airline pilot and politician from Yorklyn, Delaware, in New Castle County. He is a member of the Republican Party. Protack was a candidate for Governor of Delaware in the 2008 election cycle.

Early life and family

Protack was born October 23, 1957, and grew up in historic New Castle, Delaware. He graduated from William Penn High School in 1975. He also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. He later graduated from the University of Delaware, where he earned a Bachlor's degree in International Relations in 1979. He went on to serve in the United States Marine Corps, where he was a helicopter pilot and recruiter.

Mike is married to Mary Ann Protack, and has two adult children, Clinton and Kevin.

Political career

In 2004, Protack had an unsuccessful bid for governor, losing The Primary to William Swain Lee.

In 2006, Protack ran for U.S. Senate. He lost the Republican primary by three percentage points in a three-way race with Jan Ting and Christine O'Donnell. Jan Ting went on to lose to the Democratic incumbent, Thomas R. Carper, by 70 percent to 29 percent.

In 2008, Protack announced his run for the office of Governor of Delaware. He lost the Republican nomination in a primary fight against William Swain Lee. Protack won the endorsement of the Independent Party of Delaware, but ultimately declined to seek office on their ticket.

Election results

!bgcolor=#cccccc |Year !bgcolor=#cccccc |Office !bgcolor=#cccccc |Election ! !bgcolor=#cccccc |Subject !bgcolor=#cccccc |Party !bgcolor=#cccccc |Votes !bgcolor=#cccccc |Pct ! !bgcolor=#cccccc |Opponent !bgcolor=#cccccc |Party !bgcolor=#cccccc |Votes !bgcolor=#cccccc |Pct |-

|- |2004 |Governor |Primary | |bgcolor=#FFE8E8 |William Swain Lee |bgcolor=#FFE8E8 |Republican |bgcolor=#FFE8E8 |15,270 |bgcolor=#FFE8E8 |71% | |bgcolor=#FFE8E8 |Michael D. Protack |bgcolor=#FFE8E8 |Republican |bgcolor=#FFE8E8 |5,108 |bgcolor=#FFE8E8 |24% |- |- |2006 |U.S. Senator |Primary | |bgcolor=#FFE8E8 |Jan C. Ting |bgcolor=#FFE8E8 |Republican |bgcolor=#FFE8E8 |6,110 |bgcolor=#FFE8E8 |43% | |bgcolor=#FFE8E8 |Michael D. Protack
Christine O'Donnell |bgcolor=#FFE8E8 |Republican |bgcolor=#FFE8E8 |5,771
2,505 |bgcolor=#FFE8E8 |40%
17% |-