Senate leaders decline two of Meyer’s Wilmington Port Board Nominees, calling for new direction

The joint message acknowledges the contributions of two of Meyer’s nominees, but also indicates that the Senate would not be moving forward with their appointments. (Photo courtesy of portwilmington.com)

Democratic leaders in the Delaware State Senate released a statement Monday evening addressing Governor Matt Meyer’s recent nominations to the Diamond State Port Corporation, pushing for new leadership as the Port of Wilmington moves into a pivotal phase.

Senate President Pro Tempore Dave Sokola, Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend, and Senate Majority Whip Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman issued a joint message acknowledging the contributions of two of Meyer’s nominees Gene Bailey and Jennifer Cohan, but also indicating that the Senate would not be moving forward with their appointments.

“Gene Bailey and Jen Cohan are exceptional public servants and should be applauded for their past and ongoing contributions to our State, including for their prior service at the Diamond State Port Corporation,” the statement read.

The senators emphasized the importance of the long-anticipated Edgemoor expansion project, which is expected to bring thousands of high-paying union jobs to the state. They expressed the boards need for new leadership as the project moves forward.

“The Port of Wilmington is at a critical juncture, and we must do all we can to ensure the Edgemoor expansion and its promise of thousands of high-paying union jobs comes to fruition. Over the last 24 hours, we shared with Gene, Jen, and the Meyer Administration that as the Port enters a new phase, the Senate believes this moment calls for different voices on the Board,” the statement continued.

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As a result, Wednesday’s Executive Committee hearing notice was updated to include only the remaining four nominees put forward by the governor. 

“We will continue to engage the administration on our desire to work collaboratively to ensure the Board continues to be fully operational and supportive of the planned expansion. We look forward to working closely with Governor Meyer and other leaders so the Port expansion efforts finally deliver for Delaware’s working families,” the statement concluded.

How we got here: Governor’s Board picks, court ruling, and a party rift

In March, Governor Matt Meyer named five new nominees to the Diamond State Port Corporation board. The nominations came shortly after the Delaware Supreme Court ruled in Meyer’s favor, confirming his authority to replace board picks made by his predecessor, Bethany Hall-Long, during her brief tenure as acting governor. This decision marked a turning point in a weeks-long conflict between Meyer and members of his own party in the state Senate, who had resisted the withdrawal of Hall-Long’s appointees.

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Meyer’s nominees include a mix of experienced professionals in transportation, labor, and executive leadership. Notably excluded were long-standing figures like former Secretary of State Jeff Bullock and labor leader William Ashe Jr., both having significant influence over the port for many years.

Claudia Estrada

Claudia is a Philadelphia-based journalist and reporter passionate about storytelling that informs and engages the community. Claudia, a proud Temple University graduate, has built a career covering impactful stories and creating compelling content across digital and print media platforms. With a strong background in writing, editing, and research, Claudia has worked on various topics, from local news to in-depth features, always striving to deliver meaningful and accurate reporting.