SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. - Alonna Berry has been selected as the Democratic candidate for the upcoming special election in Delaware’s 20th House District. She will face Republican nominee Nikki Miller in the race scheduled for Aug. 5.
The seat is currently vacant following the resignation of Rep. Stell Parker Selby, who stepped down on June 24 citing ongoing health challenges.
At a Thursday public forum hosted by the Delaware 20th Representative District (RD 20) Democratic Party Committee, Berry defeated fellow candidates Joe Elder, Randi Meredith, Ruby Schaeffer and Keith Steck.
Alonna Berry winning
Berry currently works as the executive director of the Delaware Center for Justice, a nonprofit that provides legal assistance to low-income individuals and families, juvenile offenders, victims of crime, and seniors in need.
Berry emphasized her qualifications and knowledge of state systems as key strengths.
She previously served as the Director of Community and Family Services and as a senior policy advisor for health, equity and education under former Delaware Governor John Carney. Berry also served as the state's first statewide trauma-informed care coordinator, which was established under Carney.
Alonna Berry
“There’s no better time than right now,” said Berry. “In this moment, there’s a lot happening, both federally and locally. And I think we need really strong leaders in Dover who understand how our state system works, who understand the impacts of policies being passed in our state and how that translates back to our district.”
Some local voters echoed Berry’s confidence, including Kevin Murphy, a District 20 resident.
“She’s got a tremendous background. She knows the area,” Murphy said. “And I think that she would be a very formidable candidate against the Republican.”
Berry is also the founder of the Bryan Allen Stevenson School of Excellence, a free public charter school in Georgetown.
If elected, Berry said one of her top priorities would be education reform.
“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,” she said.
The special election on Aug. 5 will determine who fills the vacant District 20 seat in the Delaware House of Representatives.