Delaware House Speaker Melissa “Mimi” Minor-Brown, D-New Castle, has survived a challenge from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party to keep her role.
In a closed-door caucus meeting Wednesday night, Democrats, which included the nine freshman members, voted to again give Minor-Brown the gavel ahead of the 154th General Assembly.
Caucus members reelected state Rep. Kerri Evelyn Harris, D-Dover, as House majority leader.
State Rep. Cyndie Romer, D-Newark, who declined to comment for this story, will replace state Rep. Ed Osienski as House majority whip.
“I’m honored that my colleagues put their faith in me, once again, to serve as speaker,” Minor-Brown said. “I believe that my caucus members saw the work that we did as leadership, ensuring that we were putting Delawareans first and prioritizing legislation and initiatives to ensure that we were protecting Delawareans.”
Minor-Brown made history in 2024 as the first Black woman to be elected speaker and second woman ever to serve as Delaware’s House speaker. Minor-Brown succeeded then-House Speaker Valerie Longhurst after she lost her seat to state Rep. Kamela Smith.
The challenge came from Working Families Party-backed state Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton, D-Bear, who was campaigning for the speakership. The slate also included state Rep. Kim Williams, D-Stanton, as majority leader. Wilson-Anton did not respond to a request for comment.
