SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. - CoastTV spoke with House Minority Leader Timothy Dukes about Rep. Stell Parker Selby's unknown return to Legislative Hall.
It's been over one week since the Delaware Republican Party sent a letter asking about Representative Stell Parker Selby's return to Dover.
CoastTV spoke with House Minority Leader Timothy Dukes who represents District 40.
He told us he was looking forward to seeing Representative Parker Selby in the office on Tuesday, the day after she was sworn in, but was told she would not be there, but would be back in legislative hall very soon.
"I've had many conversations with the Speaker and Democrat leadership. We meet on a weekly basis, asking just for an update. First of all, because we’re concerned about her health. But secondly though, you have 23,000 registered voters that are not being served. They don't have a voice in Dover or vote in Dover with her absence," said Rep. Timothy Dukes.
"I have had several face to face conversations with the Speaker about this issue. She's been very candid with me personally. I have worked to protect her privacy during this time," he continued.
CoastTV also asked about the reason behind the letter being sent.
"She's a wonderful person. That's why she continues to get reelected. We wish her the very best. The letter was just asking because she had missed, almost five weeks of session. We wanted to know if there is going to be a return date. And, that's why that's what the letter came from," said the House Minority Leader.
State GOP Chair Julianne Murray and Sussex County Republican Chair Daniel Willis sent a letter on Monday, March 17 to House Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown and other House leaders.
The letter acknowledges Parker Selby’s health as a priority but argues that her continued absence has left voters without a voice in Dover. GOP leaders asked for clarity on when full representation will be restored.
Viewers shared with CoastTV they thought the letter might have been a move to force a special election, especially since Nikki Miller, who ran against Incumbent Rep. Parker Selby in 2024, is campaigning again.
On Monday, House Majority Leader Kerri Evelyn Harris shared with CoastTV it felt like there was a shift from "a human game to a political game." She clarified that the letter was not from House Republicans, but from the Republican Party.
"Within our chamber, we have a culture of understanding each other's humanity within our chamber, regardless of the party. We want to maintain that culture going forward. It's unfortunate that the party itself did not also honor the culture that we honor within our chamber," said the House Majority Leader.
CoastTV asked the House Minority Leader about the letter and he says "the letter was simply requesting answers 23,000 voters in the 20th District that have not had a vote since January," said Rep. Timothy Dukes.
When asked if he felt the letter was necessary, the representative says "we think that helped the conversation move forward."
On Monday, March 24, Representative Stell Parker Selby was sworn in at a private ceremony in her home with family, friends and witnesses, according to House Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown.
Rep. Stell Parker Selby at her private swearing in ceremony in her home on Monday, March 24.
CoastTV has contacted Delaware GOP and Sussex County Republicans multiple times since we began covering Rep. Parker Selby's absence and had not heard back until we contacted Sussex County Republican Chair Daniel Willis on Tuesday.
CoastTV stopped by Murray's law firm Wednesday afternoon to speak with Murray. Afterwards, we received a call from Delaware GOP's Acting Executive Director Nick Miles who shared that State GOP Chair Julianne Murray and Sussex County Republican Chair Daniel Willis will not be doing an interview with us at this time.
We asked for an interview to gain a better understanding of their reasoning for sending the letter since viewers had questions.
Miles told CoastTV a statement would be shared on why they have declined to interview at this time. As of 6:20 p.m., CoastTV has not received that statement.