SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. - Democrat Alonna Berry and Republican Nikki Miller will face off in a special election on Aug. 5 to fill the vacant District 20 seat in the Delaware House of Representatives, following the resignation of Stell Parker Selby on June 24.
Parker Selby, who suffered a massive stroke last winter, had been absent for the entire 2024 legislative session before stepping down.
Miller previously lost to Parker Selby by just 275 votes in the 2024 general election. She has also filed to run for the seat in the 2026 election.
On Wednesday July 2nd, Sussex County Republicans selected Miller as their candidate for the special election.
Miller is a former Cape Henlopen High School principal and longtime educator.
"I think it's the single most important job there is, if we want to and continue to enjoy where we live," Miller said, referencing education. "We have to continue to invest in our schools and invest in our students because they are literally the future."
Berry secured the Democratic nomination after defeating four other candidates on Thursday July 3rd.
Berry, founder of the Bryan Allen Stevenson School of Excellence, a public charter school in Georgetown, is also passionate about education.Â
"I think there's a lot of room in our K–12 system to think more strategically about how we support students, how funding flows through our school systems," said Berry.
Berry also previously worked on policy and budget issues under former Gov. John Carney.
"I think we need really strong leaders in Dover who understand how our state system works... and how that translates back to our district."
Miller argues her experience in education is her strength.
"I had my own constituents; the students, the staff, the parents and the families that are connected to the school. And now I can just expand that," said Miller.
Berry told CoastTV that she hopes to continue Parker Selby's legacy.