Milton resident Alonna Berry was chosen July 3 by District 20 Democrats to run in the special election slated for Tuesday, Aug. 5.

Berry, who works as executive director for the Delaware Center for Justice, said she decided to put her name in for the seat because she’s a mother of two, a 2 1/2-year-old and a 2-month-old, and she wants to make the community better for her kids.

Berry was one of five who sought the seat held by Rep. Stell Parker Selby, who resigned June 24 after not attending one day of the last legislative session. Berry, Joe Elder, Randi Meredith, Ruby Schaeffer and Keith Steck fielded questions from committee members and district constituents for about two hours at the Lewes Public Library. A committee of 19 then voted on the candidates with one needing at least 10 votes to win the slot. Sussex County Democrat Party Chair Jeff Balk said no one received 51% after a first round of voting, but after the second round, Berry was unanimously chosen. 

About 150 people attended the event, including Speaker of the House Melissa Minor-Brown, D-New Castle; House Majority Leader Rep. Kerri Evelyn Harris, D-Dover; and other upstate and local legislators. Balk said Parker Selby had told them she would not be running for re-election in 2026, so the party had started getting a list of potential candidates.

Berry will face Republican challenger Nikki Miller in the special election. Miller ran in 2024 against Parker Selby and lost by 245 votes. Republicans announced July 2 that Miller would run in the special election.

Berry said she has a committee ready to help her with the race. She has family roots in Milton and has lived there for 15 years.

“My top priority is preparing for federal budget cuts across the state, and working across the aisle to make sure our communities are protected,” she said. “I’m ready and excited to run, and look forward to representing District 20.”