A special election to replace former Rep. Ruth Briggs King in House District 37 will take place Dec. 21.
A special election to fill the now-vacant 37th Delaware House of Republicans seat in will take place Dec. 21.
The seat represents Georgetown and Millsboro in Sussex County.
The former occupant of that seat, former Rep. Ruth Briggs King, resigned last week after receiving a certificate of occupancy for a house she was building just over the district line.
Briggs King was the only Republican woman in the General Assembly.
Her resignation triggered a state law governing special elections for vacant legislative seats.
Under that code, a writ of election must be issued within 10 days of the vacancy occurring. The writ sets the date for the special election, which must take place between 30-35 days from when the writ is issued.
On Tuesday, House Speaker Valerie Longhurst issued the writ to set the date for a special election for Dec. The race will be overseen by the Department of Elections.
Under the rules, both the county Republican and Democrat committees will nominate a candidate.
The Republicans are expected to nominate Valerie Jones Giltner, a retired nurse and healthcare consultant who has not previously been active in local or state politics.
RELATED STORY: Ruth Briggs King resigns from General Assembly
The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of the term for the 37th District, which will expire on Election Day in November 2024.
Voters will have the opportunity to cast their ballots early, up to 10 days before the election, at sites designated by the Department of Elections.
Early voting dates and locations will be available on the Department of Elections website.
One reason for having the vote in four days before Christmas is that the Delaware General Assembly will convene in January for the second half of its session.
Betsy Price is a Wilmington freelance writer who has 40 years of experience, including 15 at The News Journal in Delaware.
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