Why Should Delaware Care?
Elected officials hold a position of public trust as they represent the interests of their constituents. As a result, arrests can impact their ability to serve the office. Accusations of assault against a Wilmington lawmaker have resulted in the launch of a legislative ethics investigation.
The Delaware State Police is investigating a Wilmington lawmaker on claims he punched a woman in the face.
A police report dated May 21 states that Rep. Josue Ortega (D-Wilmington) was sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle with the woman in the driver’s seat when he punched her “in the left side of her face.”
The report also includes responses to a victim questionnaire, in which the woman claims Ortega had previously “threatened to kill” her or her children.
Delaware State Police spokesman Tyler Wright said in an email that “this is an active and ongoing investigation, and there are currently no warrants for Rep. Ortega.”
He said Ortega has not yet been charged with a crime, and was not arrested following the incident. He did not state why there was no arrest.
In a statement published Tuesday, leadership in the Delaware House of Representatives called the assault allegations “deeply troubling and disturbing.” They said the House Ethics Committee will begin a confidential review of the incident.
“We have also sent a formal letter to Rep. Ortega informing him of our intentions to investigate the matter further and requesting his full cooperation,” House leaders said in the statement.
It is not immediately clear when lawmakers first learned about the May incident.
House Speaker Melissa Minor Brown (D-New Castle) did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Ortega could not be immediately reached for comment.
Previously, a Facebook user who appears to be the alleged victim had posted that Ortega had punched her and that it had occurred in front of her 3-year-old child.
Who is Josue Ortega?
Ortega was first elected to the Delaware House of Representatives in 2024 to represent District 3, an area of west Wilmington that includes the communities of Hilltop, Little Italy and Hedgeville.
He candidacy was boosted at the time after his a primary opponent, Brandon Fletcher-Dominguez, withdrew from the race just days before the primary election. At the time, state investigators had said Fletcher-Dominguez didn’t have a permanent residence within the district.
Ortega is the son of a former Wilmington city councilman, Demetrio “Junior” Ortega. The senior Ortega is seen as a hero by many within the city’s Puerto Rican community. He had served as executive director of the Latin American Community Center and organized the city’s first Hispanic week celebration in 1977.
Before being elected in 2024, Josue Ortega worked in constituent services for the city of Wilmington and New Castle County.
Ortega has not yet filed for reelection in the fall 2026 election, nor has any other candidate. He currently serves on six House committees, including the Education and Transportation committees, among others.
The lawmaker scored perhaps his most noticeable legislative victory in recent days, when Gov. Matt Meyer signed House Bill 290, which recognized Puerto Rico Day as a ceremonial holiday for the state.
This is a developing story that will be updated.
