SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. - Delaware's House of Representatives met for their 15th legislative session on Thursday, March 20. Representative Stell Parker Selby was not in attendance.
As of Thursday evening, the State Representatives have voted on 91 pieces of legislation. Parker Selby has not voted since the legislative session began.
On Monday, State GOP Chair Julianne Murray and Sussex County Republican Chair Daniel Willis sent a letter to House Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown and other House leaders, stating Rep. Parker Selby has not been sworn in, assigned to committees or attended key meeting since the session began.
House Speaker Melisa Minor-Brown and Majority Leader Kerri Evelyn Harris shared on Tuesday.
"We have been in regular contact with Rep. Parker Selby and her family, and, as we would for any representative – Republican or Democrat – we are affording her the time and space she needs to heal. We are encouraged by her progress and look forward to welcoming her back to Legislative Hall soon. Plans are already in place to formally swear her in, and that will take place in the very near future.
Rep. Stell Parker Selby's office has has remained open and has been diligently responding to constituent outreach and concerns throughout this period.
Out of respect for her privacy, we will not be commenting further on her personal health matters.
With that said, Rep. Parker Selby remains the duly elected representative chosen by voters in the 20th Representative District and is committed to continuing her service to the community."
On Thursday, CoastTV reached out to the following individuals.
- Nikki Miller, who ran against Parker Selby in 2024
- Nick Miles, Executive Director for Delaware GOP
- House Minority Leader Timothy Dukes
- House Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown
- Joseph Fulgham, Director of Policy and Communications for the House Republican Caucus
- Tammie Kanich, Policy and Communications specialist for the House Republican Caucus
- Stephanie Becker, Deputy Chief of Staff for the House Republican Caucus
- House Majority Leader Kerri Evelyn Harris
- Progressive Democrats for Delaware
- Sussex County Republican Committee
Director of Policy and Communications for the House Republican Caucus Joseph Fulgham was the only person to respond back to CoastTV.
"I think our biggest concern is for the representative and her family and hoping that that she makes a complete recovery," said Fulgham.
While Parker Selby remains sidelined, her fellow legislators are tackling some of the most controversial issues facing the state including House Bill 140, relating to assisted suicide.
"Next week, we're going be dealing with a bill on corporate governance that's very high profile. The pace of that is only going to pick up from here on out," Fulgham shared.
He shares the same concerns of those in the 20th district.
"The pace of difficult legislation is only going to increase from here throughout the rest of the session. So these are legitimate questions, and they're going to have to be answered sooner rather than later I think," he continued.
In a statement released on Tuesday, House Democrats say "we have been in regular contact with Rep. Parker Selby and her family, and, as we would for any representative – Republican or Democrat – we are affording her the time and space she needs to heal. We are encouraged by her progress and look forward to welcoming her back to legislative hall soon."
With an absent representative and no clear answer on when she'll be back, there's still no voice to speak for the people of District 20 as major decisions are being made in the state legislature.