Delaware House Rep. Stell Parker Selby submits letter of resignation, citing health reasons
House Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown confirmed on June 24 that she had received Selby's letter of resignation.
Selby, who represents residents from the Milton and Lewes area, officially took her oath of office in March for her second term after being unable to be sworn in on the first day of legislative session due to 'a medical event,' according to a previous statement.
Parker Selby had been notably absent from Legislative Hall this session after suffering from an apparent stroke, sparking a debate among fellow lawmakers, according to reporting from Spotlight Delaware.
Parker Selby wrote in her letter of resignation that, while she is 'proud of the strides' she has made following her medical event, she also recognized she 'can no longer serve [her] district with the full energy, presence and focus it rightfully deserves.'
'This district is my home. It raised me, shaped me and gave me every opportunity to serve,' she wrote. 'For decades, I showed up, spoke out and stood up for the values we share and the voices that too often go unheard,' she wrote.
In other news: Needed housing for young adults leaving foster care or without homes opens in Sussex County
'This community has always been a part of me, and I've done my best to reflect its strength and spirit in everything I do. And while recent conversations have turned away from the substance of that work, I will not. I am stepping down not because of noise or pressure, but because I care too deeply about this community to offer anything less than my full capacity.'
While Minor-Brown recognized 'this was not an easy decision' for the lawmaker and her loved ones to make, she hoped Delawareans would take time to acknowledge her story – a story 'of a true trailblazer.'
'There aren't many people around who have lived in the Lewes and Milton community without Stell's presence,' Minor-Brown said. 'Her deep, personal connection to her home was cultivated through her lifelong commitment to helping those around her.'
Reps. Tim Dukes and Jeff Spiegelman – who serve as the House Minority Leader and House Minority Whip, respectively – also issued statements following Selby's decision.
'I recognize that her decision to resign was not an easy one,' Dukes said. 'I commend her for her honesty in assessing her situation and for prioritizing the needs of her constituents above her desire to continue in public service.'
'While we all thought she would continue her service in the current General Assembly, fate altered those expectations,' Spiegelman said. 'By choosing to step down, she can focus fully on her recovery without the added responsibilities of office, while giving the people of the 20th District an opportunity to select a candidate who will be able to fully represent their interests.'
'Public service was never about the spotlight,' Parker Selby wrote. For her, 'it was about the work.'
Parker Selby entered civil service several decades ago, serving on the Cape Henlopen school board following her retirement from working as an educator and administrator in the Cape Henlopen School District for over 30 years.
She eventually went on to serve as a councilwoman – and then vice mayor – for the town of Milton.
Parker Selby was first elected to office in 2022, defeating then-GOP challenger Dallas Wingate and, at the same time, turning the 20th state House District blue and becoming 'the first Black State Representative from Sussex County' in the process.
She narrowly won reelection over Republican opponent Nikki Miller this past fall.
A special election for Parker Selby's seat will be governed by the Delaware code, according to the statement.
Under the code, a writ for the special election will be issued by the Speaker 'within 10 days of the creation of the vacancy.'
The writ would contain information regarding when the special election would take place, which must occur 30 to 35 days from the day the writ has been issued.
(This story has been updated to add new information.)
Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. If you have a tip or a story idea, reach out to her at omontes@delawareonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware House Representative Stell Parker Selby resigns from office
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