Early Voting Started Thursday for Special Election Offering Clear Choice for Sussex County on Tuesday Aug. 5th

Voters in Delaware’s 20th Representative District will cast ballots on August 5, 2025, as a result of former Representative Stell Parker Selby’s resignation. The race pits a seasoned educator against a progressive policy insider—highlighting the political direction voters can choose for their community. Ealry voting began yesterday at Mariner Middle School in Milton and Lewes Elementary in Lewes.

GOP Nominee: Nikki Miller — Local Leader, Proven Track Record

Republicans have nominated Nikki Miller, a longtime educator and respected community leader. With decades of experience, including serving as principal at Cape Henlopen High School and supervising instruction for the Seaford School District, Miller narrowly lost the November 5, 2024 general election to Parker Selby by just 245 votes. After nearly winning that race and gearing up for a 2026 campaign, Miller embraced the accelerated timeline when the special election was announced:

“If I was going to run for 2026, why would I not run for the special election?” she said.

Her campaign emphasizes sensible, community-centric solutions—focusing on quality education, public safety, farmland protection, traffic management, and responsive, accountable government. With a platform rooted in practical leadership, Miller pledges to restore trust in Dover through transparent service and fiscal responsibility.

“I love where I live, and I want to support the people who call Sussex County home,” Miller asserts.

Democrat Nominee: Alonna Berry — Policy Professional, Progressive Vision

The Democratic nominee is Alonna Berry, Executive Director of the Delaware Center for Justice and a former senior policy adviser under Gov. John Carney. Berry’s priorities include restorative justice reform, education initiatives, and countering anticipated federal budget cuts.

Self-described as a “multi‑generational Sussex Countian,” Berry underscores her focus on legacy and lineage, and advocates for trauma‑informed care and alternative criminal justice programs. While she emphasizes service and community listening, Berry’s background is largely rooted in activist policymaking, not hands‑on local administration.

Berry says: “I know our voters … may feel they didn’t have a voice this last legislative session. I’m running to both listen and be the ear on the ground.”

Why It Matters

The winner of this special election will serve through November 2026 in a closely balanced General Assembly. With ongoing debates in Dover over education funding, development, taxes, and public safety, Sussex County voters face a clear decision:

Support Nikki Miller for a practical, local-first leadership style focused on accountability, results, and preserving community values.
Support Alonna Berry for a progressive policy-driven approach centered on reform initiatives and statewide justice strategies.

Voting Schedule

Election Day: Monday, August 5, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Early Voting at Mariner Middle School (Milton) & Lewes Elementary:
- July 24–26: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
- July 28–29: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
- July 30–Aug 3: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
  (No voting on July 27)

More details are available at the Delaware Department of Elections website.