DOVER, Del. - For the second day in a row, Delaware House Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown refused to answer questions about Rep. Stell Parker Selby, who has yet to cast a vote or appear publicly at Legislative Hall since being sworn in remotely on March 24.
House Minority Leader calls for Parker Selby to resign
As questions mount about her health and ability to serve, House Minority Leader Tim Dukes confirmed to CoastTV on Wednesday that Parker Selby suffered a stroke and is calling for her to step down.
House Minority Leader Tim Dukes says republicans would love to see Parker Selby return, but if she cannot do the job by the end of the month, she should resign.
"We would love to have her back. I can tell you, if Stell walked into the General Assembly today, you would have 40 legislators on their feet clapping and cheering to see her," Dukes told CoastTV. "That would be a celebration. But if that can't happen, we need to move on with a special election."
Dukes told CoastTV he has not spoken with Stell Parker Selby, but was told she had a stroke this winter, as sources previously confirmed.
"I don't know how severe, how limited or what the details of that are," he said.
Rep. Stell Parker Selby at her private swearing in ceremony in her home on Monday, March 24.
CoastTV pressed Dukes on why until June 11 he hasn't called for the absent legislator's resignation.
"I think when she first missed the first week, everybody was very sensitive. There was hope that she would be coming back," he explains. "But she didn't make it back in January. She didn't make it back in March, April or May. Now, here we're into, after today, we have six or seven legislative days left after today. And I'm assuming that she won't be back."
House Speaker refuses to speak once again
In a brief interaction Wednesday, House Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown handed CoastTV's Madeleine Overturf a printed explanation of the rules for special elections. However, CoastTV did not ask about special elections. Minor-Brown was asked about her comments to the 20th District, whose constituents have been left without a voting representative during Parker Selby’s absence. Minor-Brown did not answer.
The Deputy Communications Director for the Delaware House Democrats told CoastTV that the following questions were answered via email. They were not.
- Is [Representative Parker Selby] cognitive?
- Don't you think the people of the 20th District deserve to have someone voting on their behalf?
- What is your message to the people of the 20th District who have not had a single vote on their behalf in the House?
- The Governor says this is a House issue. Why are you not taking action?
Minor-Brown’s only response Wednesday was telling CoastTV it will not comment on private medical matters, and referring us to special election code. CoastTV also did not receive a response from Parker Selby's office.
In January, Rep. Parker Selby sent in a letter saying she would not be present for the month following a medical event.
What Are the Options?
CoastTV consulted Thomas Reed, a professor at the Widener University Delaware Law School, who explained the legal gray areas. According to Reed, the House has two main avenues for removing a member: impeachment or exclusion.
- Impeachment is limited to cases involving criminal conduct such as treason or bribery. Not showing up to vote, Reed noted, “is not necessarily a crime.”
- Exclusion, a vote by the full House, could suspend a member for non-attendance, though it would not vacate the seat.
There is currently no precedent in Delaware for a recess appointment to replace a legislator or for the House removing someone due to extended absence without a crime. Reed added that most lawmakers facing similar scrutiny typically resign voluntarily before a formal vote.
No Answer for the 20th District
Constituents in District 20 have gone months without anyone voting on their behalf in the House. Although Democratic leaders claim Selby’s office is operating for constituents, they have provided no direct updates on her condition or capacity. Senator Russ Huxtable, whose district covers a majority of Stell Parker Selby's, says he has had conversations with House Leadership asking them to make a statement.
The Governor, Sen. Huxtable, and Rep. Dukes tell CoastTV that the people of the 20th District need to make calls to lawmakers, and Rep. Stell Parker Selby's office specifically to voice concerns.
