MILTON – Representative Esthelda “Stell” Parker Selby (D-Milton), the first Black person to be elected to the Delaware General Assembly from Sussex County, has resigned her post as state representative effective immediately following serious health concerns.
The 20th district representative published a letter on social media which she had sent to House Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown (D-New Castle) Tuesday, June 24 detailing her thoughts behind the resignation from the 153rd General Assembly.
“In December, I suffered a serious medical emergency that profoundly changed the rhythm of my life. Since that moment, I have found every day toward recovery. And while I am proud of the strides I’ve made, I must acknowledge – with honesty and humility – that I can no longer serve this district with the full energy, presence and focus it rightfully deserves,” she wrote.
Over the past year, Parker Selby’s health concerns left her unable to tend to her duties at Legislative Hall and ultimately caused her to miss every day of session in 2025. Many in her district and across the state raised concerns about the lack of representation in the district, as well as on the committees she was slated to participate in including the Transportation Committee.
Minor-Brown publicly thanked Parker Selby for her time and expertise via social media, expressing “deep respect” for the woman who spent five decades serving her community through a career of education and public service, among other roles.
“I hope that in this next chapter, people can take a step back and remember her full story with the grace and humility we would all want to be afforded. Because her story is that of a true trailblazer whose grit, tenacity, and endless kindness got her to where she is today,” Minor-Brown said, acknowledging Parker Selby’s journey from attending a segregated school to becoming someone who would break barriers later on in life.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Delaware State University (DSU) and a master’s in education from the University of Delaware. She gave 34 years of her life to the Cape Henlopen School District where she taught and served in administrative roles, culminating in taking on the role of principal for Rehoboth Elementary School, among other schools.
Following an already lengthy education career, she changed course and became the director of student teaching for DSU and also advised student teachers at Wilmington University. She served on numerous boards including the Cape Henlopen School Board as its president, Milton City Council as its vice mayor, the DSU Board of Trustees as its vice-chair of governance and the Beebe Medical Center Board, offering her decades expertise along the way.
While she successfully navigated her first two years of legislative service following her election in 2022, the last year has been filled with questions and concerns by those around her with calls for answers, or even her resignation so the district can move on and select a new representative.
Minor-Brown said in her statement that Parker Selby acted “true to who she is” by “once again [choosing] the path she believes is best for the people she serves” by resigning from her post.
House Republicans also took the opportunity to speak out in support of the move after calling for a change over the past several months.
“These were challenging circumstances for everyone involved,” House Minority Leader Tim Dukes (R-Laurel) said in a prepared statement. “Stell faced a serious health issue that suddenly imposed significant limitations on her. I recognize that her decision to resign was not an easy one. I commend her for her honesty in assessing her situation and for prioritizing the needs of her constituents above her desire to continue in public service. I believe she made the right choice and one that aligns with her legacy as a dedicated community leader.”
House Minority Whip Jeff Spiegelman (R-Clayton/Smyrna) said that the choice to step down will allow her to “focus fully on her recovery without the added responsibilities of office, while giving the people of the 20th District an opportunity to select a candidate who will be able to fully represent their interests.” He added that it’s his hope that Parker Selby “continues to improve, and, in time, can fully recover.”
Parker Selby would be up for re-election in 2026; her seat was already updated to “vacant” as of press time on the Delaware General Assembly’s website. According to Delaware law, a special election must be held to fill this role, even though there is only one week left to the current legislative season. The speaker of the House will issue a writ of election within 10 days of the vacancy which will require a special election to occur 30-35 days after its issuance.
