Delaware House Rep. Stell Parker Selby submits letter of resignation, citing health reasons
House Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown confirmed on June 24 that she had received Selby's letter of resignation.
Selby, who represents residents from the Milton and Lewes area, officially took her oath of office in March for her second term after being unable to be sworn in on the first day of legislative session due to 'a medical event,' according to a previous statement.
Parker Selby had been notably absent from Legislative Hall this session after suffering from an apparent stroke, sparking a debate among fellow lawmakers, according to reporting from Spotlight Delaware
Parker Selby wrote in her letter of resignation that, while she is 'proud of the strides' she has made following her medical event, she also recognized she 'can no longer serve [her] district with the full energy, presence and focus it rightfully deserves.'
In other news: Needed housing for young adults leaving foster care or without homes opens in Sussex County
'This district is my home. It raised me, shaped me and gave me every opportunity to serve,' she wrote. 'For decades, I showed up, spoke out and stood up for the values we share and the voices that too often go unheard,' she wrote.
'This community has always been a part of me, and I've done my best to reflect its strength and spirit in everything I do. And while recent conversations have turned away from the substance of that work, I will not. I am stepping down not because of noise or pressure, but because I care too deeply about this community to offer anything less than my full capacity.'
While Minor-Brown recognized 'this was not an easy decision' for the lawmaker and her loved ones to make, she hoped Delawareans would take time to acknowledge her story – a story 'of a true trailblazer.'
'There aren't many people around who have lived in the Lewes and Milton community without Stell's presence,' Minor-Brown said. 'Her deep, personal connection to her home was cultivated through her lifelong commitment to helping those around her.'
'That's what made her such an effective advocate and trusted voice for the people of the 20th District. She's touched so many lives over the years, and I know the thousands of people she's served in her time feel as proud of her as we do.'
Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. If you have a tip or a story idea, reach out to her at omontes@delawareonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware House Representative Stell Parker Selby resigns from office
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