Collins won’t seek re-election for the 41st District

Rep. Rich Collins, R-Millsboro, who has represented the 41st District since 2014, has announced that he will not seek re-election in next fall’s elections.

Collins, 76, said he felt some remorse over the decision but believes it was the right move to gain the flexibility he needs at this point in his life.

“I want to thank all the people of the 41st District who, for more than a decade, have placed their faith in me to make their voices heard at Legislative Hall,” he said. “It has been a challenging job at times, but one that I have always taken pride in performing to the best of my abilities.”

Throughout his tenure, Collins has consistently been rated among the most conservative members of the Delaware General Assembly by the American Conservative Union. He has been an outspoken critic of government actions he believed infringed on citizens’ freedoms and has authored numerous bills aimed at reducing taxes, limiting state agencies' regulatory authority and increasing government accountability.

Last year, he successfully sponsored a law requiring the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to properly notify citizens about public hearings, ensure access to in-person and virtual attendance options, and facilitate public comment on proposed actions.

“Let me be clear that I will remain fully engaged with the community and will continue to serve them as I always have through the end of my term on Election Day next year,” Collins said. “Even though I am leaving elected office, I will continue to share my views on state and federal policy, help educate the public about what is happening in D.C. and Dover, and work to protect our community from government excess.”

An alumnus of Seaford High School and the University of Delaware, Collins has decades of experience in the insurance industry, having owned and operated Access Insurance & Financial Services. He has also been a teacher and farmer, and is the former executive director of the Positive Growth Alliance, a group dedicated to protecting private property rights.