MILTON, Del. - A campaign dispute over library rules followed state Rep. Alonna Berry into a Monday town hall at the Milton Public Library, where her Democratic primary opponent, Ruby Schaeffer, questioned whether the event complied with the library’s meeting room policy. In a campaign press release issued early Monday morning, Schaeffer alleged Berry’s event violated the library’s facility rules, characterizing it as a “partisan, candidate-specific get-out-the-vote event.”
In a campaign press release issued early Monday morning, Schaeffer accused Berry of violating the library’s facility rules by holding what the campaign characterized as a “partisan, candidate-specific get-out-the-vote event.”
The Schaeffer campaign pointed to the Sussex County library system’s meeting room policy, which prohibits “political campaign activity relating to any specific candidate.” The release also accused Berry of demonstrating a broader pattern of acting “above the rules.” The Milton Public Library’s director disputed the Schaeffer campaign’s characterization, saying Monday’s gathering was a meet-and-greet and not a political campaign event. Berry also addressed the library rules directly in her opening remarks.
“In order to comply with the rules of the library, this is not a campaign event,” Berry said. She told attendees not to ask questions pertaining to the campaign but said they could ask about policy, legislation and issues affecting the community. Schaeffer, who is challenging Berry in the Sept. 15 Democratic primary for the District 20 House seat, attended the town hall Monday but did not ask a question.
The Milton Public Library’s director disputed the Schaeffer campaign’s characterization of the gathering, saying Monday’s event was a meet-and-greet and not a political campaign event.
The event came less than a week after Berry withdrew from a candidate forum in Lewes where she, Schaeffer and Republican candidate Gene Dvornick had been expected to appear. Berry addressed her absence from that forum Monday. “I’m sorry that I was not at the candidate forum last week,” Berry said. “I should have communicated more clearly and sooner, and I take responsibility for that.” Berry became emotional as she explained that her family is dealing with what she described as a “recent and significant health challenge.”
“This is new for our family, and I’m asking for a little grace as we navigate this new normal for us,” Berry said. She later added, “I could have handled last week better, and I apologize.” During the town hall, Berry also defended Senate Bill 23, a housing measure she co-sponsored aimed at increasing housing supply and affordability in Delaware.
Berry also discussed rural health care and her background in education. When asked about that background, Berry spoke about her time as a teacher and other education-related roles. She also referenced her experience founding a school but did not identify the Bryan Allen Stevenson School of Excellence by name or discuss its closure during the town hall.
Berry founded the Georgetown charter school, which opened for its first full school year in September 2024. The Delaware Department of Education later revoked the school’s charter effective July 1 after determining the school failed to meet state requirements related to enrollment and its economic and operational viability.
Berry and Schaeffer will face each other in Delaware’s Democratic primary Sept. 15. Early voting for Delaware’s primary begins Sept. 2. Delaware uses a closed primary system, meaning voters registered as Democrats may vote in the Democratic primary, while voters registered as Republicans may vote in the Republican primary.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on primary Election Day.
