GOP delaware 1

2022 Rewind: Republican Party must change to win, leaders say

Charles Megginson Government, Headlines

This story was originally published in November 2022. Republicans did not fare well in Delaware’s Nov. 8 election. Democrats widened their majority in the state Senate, maintained the balance of power in the House, and won every election for statewide elected offices. In the wake of the Republican wallop, some party leaders are hoping the party will begin to move …

Kowalko Schwartzkopf

2022 Rewind: Kowalko says House Speaker killed IG bill

Charles Megginson Government, Headlines

This story was originally published in July 2022. An outgoing Democratic member of the Delaware House of Representatives says House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf blocked his bill to create an office of the inspector general.  Rep. John Kowalko, D-Newark, said the move was typical of Schwartzkopf’s leadership style. That leadership style can be characterized by “coercion, intimidation, incentivizing and reward,” Kowalko …

Leg Hall

Senate Dems pick up committee seats with larger majority

Charles Megginson Government, Headlines

Leaders in the Delaware Senate have revealed the body’s committee assignments for the 152nd General Assembly which begins in January. Senate President Pro Tempore-Elect Dave Sokola announced the assignments Monday. “Legislative committees are an essential part of the legislative process where senators gather public input and determine which bills should move forward,” Sokola said in a news release. “The assignments …

Ruth Briggs King

A woman’s place? For Ruth Briggs King, it’s the legislature

Charles Megginson Government, Headlines

It’s not uncommon for state Rep. Ruth Briggs King to be the only woman in a room full of men.  The Georgetown lawmaker is the only female legislator in Delaware’s General Assembly who belongs to the Republican Party. She doesn’t let that get in the way of representing her constituents.  In fact, she sees it as an opportunity. “There have …

Wine direct shipment

Delaware lawmaker to revive wine-by-mail bill

Charles Megginson Government, Headlines

A Republican lawmaker hopes 2023 will be the year Delaware legalizes the direct shipment of wine. Rep. Mike Smith, R-Pike Creek, authored a bill in the last General Assembly to allow Delawareans to have wine shipped directly to their homes.  The House Economic Development Committee released the bill but it was not allowed to the House floor for a vote.  …

Melissa Minor Brown

Melissa Minor-Brown: ‘I stand on the shoulders of giants’

Charles Megginson Government, Headlines

When state Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown won election to the General Assembly in 2018, she knew right away that she wanted to be in leadership.  The Democrat from New Castle got her wish this November when the House Democratic Caucus elected her majority whip, making her the first person of color in Delaware history elected to a leadership position in the …

Delaware lawmakers to be sworn in Jan. 10, 2023

Lawmakers take oaths Jan. 10 but already working

Charles Megginson Government, Headlines

Even though Delaware’s state senators and representatives won’t be formally sworn in until Jan. 10, their work begins the day after election day — and so do their paychecks.  Delaware is one of just four states where lawmakers assume office the day after an election. Three other states’ lawmakers assume office on election day, while eight others assume office sometime …

GOP delaware 1

ICYMI: Delaware GOP needs to change, leaders say

Charles Megginson Headlines, Government

Republicans did not fare well in Delaware’s Nov. 8 election. Democrats widened their majority in the state Senate, maintained the balance of power in the House, and won every election for statewide elected offices. In the wake of the Republican wallop, some party leaders are hoping the party will begin to move in a more productive direction — one that …

GOP delaware 1

Delaware GOP leaders: Party needs change to win

Charles Megginson Government, Headlines

Republicans did not fare well in Delaware’s Nov. 8 election. Democrats widened their majority in the state Senate, maintained the balance of power in the House, and won every election for statewide elected offices. In the wake of the Republican wallop, some party leaders are hoping the party will begin to move in a more productive direction — one that …

GOP Leaders

Del. House Republicans pick new minority leader, whip

Charles Megginson Government, Headlines

Delaware House Republicans will be led by a new pair of officers when the General Assembly reconvenes in January, and they’re both promising to move the caucus in a less divisive and more welcoming direction. The caucus on Tuesday elected Rep. Mike Ramone of Hockessin as minority leader and Rep. Lyndon Yearick of Camden as minority whip. “This is an …