Latest news with #LegislativeHall
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Delaware House Rep. Stell Parker Selby submits letter of resignation, citing health reasons
Delaware state Rep. Stell Parker Selby is stepping down from her role for 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@ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware House Representative Stell Parker Selby resigns from office
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Delaware House Rep. Stell Parker Selby submits letter of resignation, citing health reasons
Delaware state Rep. Stell Parker Selby is stepping down from her role for 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.' In other news: Needed housing for young adults leaving foster care or without homes opens in Sussex County '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. '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.' 'That's what made her such an effective advocate and trusted voice for the people of the 20th District. She's touched so many lives over the years, and I know the thousands of people she's served in her time feel as proud of her as we do.' 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@ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware House Representative Stell Parker Selby resigns from office
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The road ahead: How journalism takes me on a journey
I consider myself an adventurer at heart. Over the last 17 years, my family and I have gone on many adventures up and down the First State. From hiking and cycling around Lums Pond State Park to taking a weeklong getaway to Fenwick Island, we made it a goal to try and explore as much as Delaware as we could, taking in all our new home had to offer. That's part of what drew me to being a journalist in the first place: the chance to go somewhere new, meet new people and learn what truly drives them to do what they do. Whether it was a Lewes restaurant hosting drive-thru movie nights, a Middletown student collecting donated prom dresses or small-business owners pushing for lawmakers to raise the minimum wage, covering Delaware not only allows me to tell the stories that need to be told but also to learn more about a state I have called home for the last several years. When I first joined The News Journal last summer, there was no shortage of breaking political news: The previous legislative session just ended. Then-Gov. John Carney declared his candidacy for Wilmington mayor, leading to the gubernatorial race. Then-U.S. Sen. Tom Carper announced his retirement, leading then-U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester to run for his soon-to-be-open seat. Several political newcomers vied for vacant positions at Legislative Hall. Needless to say, there was a lot to explore. For the last several months, my reporting has taken me to new places across the First State, introducing me to fresh and reacquainting me with familiar faces, and experiencing some traditions and big events: attending the Delaware State Fair in Harrington. Talking with now-U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride in Wilmington. Attending Return Day in Georgetown. Speaking with now-Gov. Matt Meyer while walking through downtown Dover – the list goes on. With the legislative session underway, a slew of bills have been (re)introduced and potentially could lead to change in the First State – including, but not limited to, enshrining reproductive freedom in the state constitution and reintroducing the end-of-life options act. Related: Delaware House Rep. Kendra Johnson's service came from divine inspiration Don't get me wrong: It's not always an easy road. Aside from the constant fear of getting stuck in traffic – which, knock on wood, has happened only once – there's also one question that continues to linger in the back of my brain: What if? Ordinarily, this question wouldn't bother me. Heading out into the unknown was an adrenaline rush – I thrived on it. But now, with the current political climate, an air of uncertainty hangs in the air. Thoughts of what might happen, how it might trickle down and who may be caught in the crossfire. While that question hangs in the balance, and may keep me up at night, I've come to learn this is what we as journalists do: We continue to do what we do best. We put ourselves out there, absorb as much as possible and tell the stories that must be written. This is all part of the process: We have a general idea of where we're going, but we have no idea what we might encounter – or learn – when we get there. Because journalism in itself is an adventure – and I cannot wait to see where it takes me next. One final note: I am the author of The Press Room, a weekly roundup to what's new, what's happening and what's changing in First State politics. As always, if you're interested in sharing story tips, ideas or observations, please send them my way at omontes@ 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@ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: How journalism takes reporters on an adventure
