Why Should Delaware Care?
Government works best when its citizens are knowledgeable and engaged. Delaware’s government has scores of commissions, working groups, agencies and legislative committees. All must hold meetings that are open to the public.
The Delaware House of Representatives District 20 special election campaign will reach a climax on Tuesday, as Democrats try to hold onto the seat they narrowly won last year.
Democrat Alonna Berry and Republican Nikki Miller are both vying for the Milton and Lewes-area seat, which Miller lost in 2024 by less than 250 votes. The close nature of the race coupled with leftover media attention after former Rep. Stell Parker Selby’s resignation earlier this summer has garnered the election considerable attention.
District 20 residents can cast their vote from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5. A full list of polling locations can be found here.
First elected in 2022, Parker Selby missed the entirety of the 2025 Delaware Legislative Session after suffering a significant stroke in late 2024. Her absence sparked weeks of outcry, left nearly 20,000 constituents without representation in the House chamber and ultimately resulted in her June resignation.
According to campaign finance finance reports, Democrats have spent big on Berry in the final days of the race. Berry’s campaign committee and Democratic-leaning political organizations have spent about $100,000 in less than a month in an effort to keep control of the seat.
Sussex planning group strives for compromise
Also on Tuesday, the Sussex County Land Use Working Group will again meet to discuss its recommended changes to the county’s development policies.
The 10-member working group was appointed by the Sussex County Council to recommend policy changes that will ease the impact ongoing growth has had on housing affordability, road conditions, services and the environment.
But finding compromise between development and preservation has proven difficult.
Some working group members say current draft recommendations will not do enough and are too vague to be effective.
The group was slated to review all 17 of its recommendations at its July 24 meeting, but only made it through the first eight because of debates delaying the process.
Group members will meet again at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5, to continue the review process.
The meeting will take place at the Public Safety Complex in Georgetown, 21911 Rudder Lane. It will also be broadcast on the Sussex County Council website.
Delaware GOP to elect new leader
After Julianne Murray, chair of the Delaware Republican Party, was appointed in July to serve as the state’s next interim U.S. Attorney, the party will hold a special convention this week to choose its next leader.
Murray first rose to political prominence in 2020 after suing then-Gov. John Carney over COVID-19 restrictions. She ran unsuccessfully to become both governor and the state’s attorney general before being elected state GOP chair in 2023.
According to the 38th District Republican Club, current state GOP Treasurer Gene Truono is running to replace Murray. It is unclear if any other candidates have entered the race.
Delegates will gather at Dover High School at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, to cast their votes.
